Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal
Search Results
Toston, Gertrude
Gertrude Toston was born May 09, 1947 in Galveston, Texas, and grew up in Austin, Texas. Her parents moved to Seattle, Washington, to provide more opportunities for their children but ended up separating. Toston’s mother brought the children to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960 to have the support of her sister while she divorced. Her sister's husband, Reverend Coleman, was the pastor of Second Baptist Church, and the family became very involved in church activities.
Person
Troutman, Porter
Porter Troutman was born and raised in Newellton, a small farming community in Louisiana. He went to school to Ruth Wood Elementary School and graduated from a high school in St. Joseph, Louisiana. He then attended Southern University from 1961 to 1965 and earned his Bachelor's Degree. His father held a multitude of jobs to support the family and was highly involved in the Civil Rights movement.
Person
Bezard, Pierre, 1924-2020
"Pierre was born June 16, 1924 in Paris, France. He survived WWII as a prisoner in a Nazi work camp where he met his lifelong friend Louis Juif. After the war, he returned to his family and began his career working backstage in theater. Although he never had much formal education, Pierre quickly ascended to the position of stage director, managing numerous productions including the Lido in Paris, Casino de Paris in Las Vegas, Ballet de Roland Petit, Solid Gold Las Vegas, Vive Les Girls, as well as touring shows worldwide.
Person
Pearson Urban, Ruth, 1948-
Ruth Urban was born November 16, 1948 in Los Angeles, California. At the age of ten, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada with her mother and older sister. Urban spent most of her childhood in the Huntridge area and was always involved with Temple Beth Sholom. After graduating from Las Vegas High School, Urban attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she received a bachelor’s degree in social work, and later, a master’s degree in counseling.
Person
Aplin, Charles W., 1887-1971
Charles William Aplin was born on March 30, 1887 to Amanda Jane and William Luther Aplin. He was raised in Southern California, where his father worked painting buildings. Charles first came to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1904, and then returned with his family to settle permanently in Las Vegas in 1905. Charles and his father William established a painting business that same year. Charles went to Bakersfield, California in 1910 to work in the oil industry, and it was there that he joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1911.
Person
Meron, Raya
Raya Meron was born July 08, 1935 in Tel-Aviv, Israel. She joined the Israeli Defense Force after completing her education. Following rigorous boot camp training, she was assigned to the Mixed Armistice Commission. After her military service, Meron worked as Secretary at the Foreign Office where she met her first husband who was an Israeli diplomat at the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey and shortly after her marriage, she moved to Istanbul.
Person
Walker, Gwendolyn K.
Gwendolyn K. Walker was born August 11, 1956 in Houston, Texas. She arrived in North Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 as a five-year-old with her parents, two brothers, and her cousins. The Walker family at first moved to a rented house on D Street, and she attended Kit Carson Elementary School for first grade. Her mother enrolled in nursing school, so she sent Walker back to Delhi, Louisiana, to be raised by her grandmother. In Delhi, she picked cotton with her aunt while she was in the second grade.
Person
Montano, Mike C., 1937-
Mike was born in Hawaii to Filipino parents. He moved to the mainland with his family
when he was very young. Interestingly, Mike's parents had to apply for citizenship as Hawaii
was not yet part ot the United States. Growing up, Mike worked in the family grocery store in
the San Francisco area. Even though it was his father's dream that his sons would take on the
Person