Oral history interviews with Charles Guy conducted by Dennis McBride on various dates in April and May of 1995 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. Guy begins by talking about his birth in Brazil, Indiana, his early work selling Civilian Conservation Corps magazine subscriptions, and his travels across the United States before arriving in Boulder City, Nevada in 1938. Next, Guy recalls his early memories of Boulder City, the Las Vegas Wash, and his work at the Boulder Beach campgrounds at Lake Mead Recreation Area and in Overton, Nevada. Guy also discusses the campgrounds' working conditions, entertainment, access to amenities, and work associates. Afterwards, Guy talks about his time as a railroad worker in Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, Block 16 in Las Vegas, Las Vegas entertainers, working as a volunteer fire fighter, and anecdotes about people in his personal life.
Oral history interview with James Whitney conducted by Anna Huddleston on January 24, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Whitney discusses his involvement with the beverage and restaurant industry in Las Vegas, Nevada and life in the city during the 1960s. Whitney describes working as an alcohol distributor and salesman and driving around rural Nevada and the surrounding states selling liquor. Whitney talks about prominent locations and eateries in the Las Vegas area, and what he likes about living in the desert compared to his former residence in Chicago, Illinois. Whitney also discusses the presence of organized crime in Las Vegas and his associations with the mob through his family and his business.
Oral history interview with Katherine L. Rankin conducted by Claytee D. White on June 16, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, Rankin discusses her childhood, her move to Las Vegas, Nevada, and her career as a librarian. Rankin talks about how she began her library career on the Gila River Reservation in Arizona before accepting a position as an audio and visual materials cataloger at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in the 1970s. Rankin later describes her work with the American Library Association, getting tenure at UNLV, and her role as a map cataloger in UNLV Special Collections and Archives.
Oral history interview with Richard T. Crawford conducted by Claytee D. White on April 30, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Crawford discusses his employment at 7-Eleven as a store auditor. He describes opening the first retail establishment in Green Valley, Nevada, Green Valley Grocery Store, and describes the history of his business. Lastly, Crawford discusses the significance of The Smith Center and Artemus Ham Concert Hall for the arts in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Junell Bowman conducted by Anna Huddleston on March 09, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bowman begins by describing her early history as a singer in California, performing on the radio, different orchestras, and nightclubs before marrying her husband and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. Bowman discusses becoming a sketch artist after managing an unsuccessful business, doing portraits and caricatures of people in the casinos, at conventions, and on the Las Vegas Strip. She talks about the celebrities and entertainers she met and did caricatures for while working at casinos like the Stardust and Riviera, and the amount of work that went into being a professional sketch artist.
Oral history interview with Evelyn and J.C. Gamble conducted by Claytee D. White on August 31, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Evelyn discusses living on the Westside in the 1950s and describes the development of that area. J.C. recalls his years in the United States Air Force and experiences stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. Lastly, J.C. describes why the Westside was off limits for active Air Force members, and the two speak about their employment at the Nevada Test Site.
Oral history interview with Johnny Griffin conducted by Claytee D. White on September 13, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Griffin discusses his personal history and working at an all-white country club as a golf caddy. He recalls receiving a golf scholarship to Jackson State University, and describes starting a junior golf program at Craig Ranch Park in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Later, Griffin discusses his senior golf tour and the history of black golfing in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Eddie Hall Holzman conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on October 02, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Holzman begins the interview talking about his growth as a musician while living and performing in New Jersey and New York. He also discusses his time playing while enlisted in the military, until he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947 where he played in a jazz band. Holzman also describes working as a card dealer at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino, the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino, and the El Rancho Hotel and Casino. He also details the music scene in Las Vegas from the 1950s through the end of his playing career.
Oral history interviews with Hermi and John Hiatt conducted by Jeff van Ee on April 02, 2010, April 03, 2010, and April 25, 2010 as part of the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In these interviews, Hermi and John Hiatt discuss their involvement in shaping the Red Rock Audubon Society, cataloging native plants, and the national Christmas Bird Count event. They later describe mapping around Southern Nevada, establishing boundaries for the sale of public lands, and the groundwater system under the Las Vegas, Nevada valley.
Oral history interview with Ruth J. Kiley conducted by Claytee D. White on January 24, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kiley discusses her personal history and living in the Eastwood neighborhood in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes local restaurants that were popular during the mid 1960s, the development of downtown Las Vegas, and race relations in the 1960s. Lastly, Kiley recalls attending and graduating from Rancho High School in Las Vegas.