C.V.T. Gilbert Elementary School, 1966
By 1965 the Westside had expanded further north and the C.V.T. Gilbert Elementary School was built. The C.V.T. Gilbert Elementary School opened in 1966. It was named for Chester Van Tyle Gilbert who arrived in Las Vegas in 1916. He worked in the Boggs Brothers grocery store on Fremont Street and then opened his own grocery store in the Westside. He also operated the grocery store in the WWII project of Carver Park, a black housing area for employees of the Basic Magnesium Incorporated plant in Henderson. C.V.T. Gilbert served a term as City Commissioner of Las Vegas. He was an early member of the Las Vegas Elks Lodge and assisted in organizing the Elks Helldorado parade which was much anticipated every year by the citizens. Mr. Gilbert helped to bring the Army gunnery school to the valley which eventually became Nellis Air Force base.
By the late 1960s, it became evident that the West Las Vegas schools had enrollments of more than 95 percent black students and a court-order created the sixth grade plan in 1970. Gilbert school, along with other West Las Vegas schools became a Sixth Grade Center until 1994. It then converted to a Prime 6 school. In 1994-95 Gilbert was chosen to be a Magnet School for the Creative Arts. They are dedicated to using music, dance, visual art, drama and communications to address the needs and learning styles of children.
C.V.T. Gilbert - Photo 1969
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C.V.T. Gilbert - Remodeled in 200?
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