HISTORIC BLACK VEGAS: Marble Manor Documentary: Preserving a Westside Legacy

BY CLAYTEE D. WHITE

In 1953, Marble Manor became home to a growing number of Las Vegas residents at a time when adequate housing was scarce — especially for African-Americans who were barred from living in many parts of the city. What began as a necessary housing development soon became a cornerstone of community life on the Historic Westside. 

Now, as we prepare to launch an oral history project and documentary chronicling Marble Manor’s legacy, we are asking for your help. 

Before the cameras roll, the research must deepen. We are working to uncover more of the development’s untold stories so that thoughtful questions can be asked, facts can be clarified and amplified, and longtime residents can share personal memories of pivotal moments. Early accounts reveal that an active gang culture existed in Marble Manor in its earliest years, spilling over from surrounding communities. But that is only part of the story. What else defined daily life in the 1950s? What stories remain unspoken? 

Integration reshaped Las Vegas beginning in 1960, and by 1969, unrest and riots marked a turbulent era on the Westside. How did those watershed moments impact Marble Manor and the families who lived there? Did you — or someone in your family — call Marble Manor home during that decade? Your voice matters. Your memories are vital to completing this historical record. 

Though I have retired from UNLV, my commitment to preserving this history remains strong. Please reach out at Claytee.white@unlv.edu to participate. Interviews are conducted in a comfortable, respectful setting. We do collect audio and video footage, but our professional camera team will ensure you feel at ease — and look your best. Consider being a “star” for an hour or 90 minutes in service of history. 

Meanwhile, Marble Manor stands on the brink of transformation. 

The original single-story buildings are being replaced with a thoughtfully designed, multilevel community. Plans include four-story structures with varied rooflines, townhouses, warm color palettes accented with brick patterns, and culturally sensitive architectural elements. The new development will triple the current number of units and introduce segmented parking areas with greenery, numerous walking paths, barbecue pits, gazebos, playgrounds, and community gardens where residents can grow vegetables. Retail spaces and a daycare center will further serve families. This ambitious redesign is unfolding under the leadership of architect Melvin Green. 

Demolition has already begun. Construction is projected to span eight years, progressing in stages — residents will temporarily relocate from designated sections, demolition and rebuilding will follow, and families will move back into newly completed units. It is a careful balance between renewal and continuity. 

With the expansion of Marble Manor, the nearby Sam Cherry development on Jefferson, and new housing near Nevada Partners on Lake Mead, there is hope that thoughtful growth — aligned with community specifications — will continue along Jackson Street. 

And then there is the question of identity. 

From 1938 to 1939, Harmon Percy Marble served as mayor of Las Vegas. According to historical accounts, he had a passion for photographing Native American nations and an interest in low-income housing, which led to his name being assigned to Marble Manor. Yet today, as the Westside experiences rapid gentrification, we must ask ourselves: how do we preserve the significance of this area as the community that welcomed Black families when they were prohibited from living elsewhere in the city? (Only a few lived in Four Mile.) 

Perhaps one way is through naming. 

As Marble Manor is rebuilt, should it be renamed to reflect its historic identity as a Black neighborhood? How do we honor both the past and the promise of the future? 

History is not just about buildings—it is about people. And without your voice, the story remains incomplete.