Oral history interview with Robert "Bob" Oliver conducted by Dave Wolfe and Charles Williams on August 30, 1993 for the Friends of Red Rock Canyon Oral History Project. Oliver shares information about his family's history, and how they moved from Vernal, Utah to the Las Vegas, Nevada area in the 1930s. He recalls interactions with the Wilson family and their ranch in the area that is now Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. Lastly, Oliver describes the three springs on his property, equipment he had for the ranch, and native species around the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Lear and Jaina L. Moan conducted by Claytee D. White on April 24, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
John Lear discusses his occupation as a pilot, secret missions he flew for the CIA and State Department, and the places he has visited all over the world including Lebanon, Taiwan, South Africa, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Egypt. He talks about his retirement from flying and his interest in Gold Butte National Monument, an area of over 300,000 acres of protected desert in Nevada. Lear shares how he became interested in Gold Butte after he embarked on gold and silver mining excursions and his hopes to further educate the public about this national monument.
Jaina Moan discusses the history of Gold Butte National Monument and her work in preserving the area as a member of the Friends of Gold Butte nonprofit organization.
Subjects discussed include: Air Club International, Ambassador I and II; Hank Wharton; Ned Day; Art Bell
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Levine conducted by Cynthia Cicero on February 11, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
George discusses moving to Las Vegas and working as a waiter in the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel. He talks about working for Jack Entratter and Howard Hughes and describes the working conditions of his various positions in the Copa Room, including maître d. George also shares stories of different entertainers that would frequent the establishment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Jamison Baker conducted by Rod Lotspeich on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Baker discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1932. She talks about housing at the time, Six Companies, Inc., and the development of Boulder City, Nevada in the 1930s. Baker describes the construction of the Hoover Dam, and the increase of convention centers in Las Vegas through the 1960s and 1970s. Lastly, Baker compares living in Henderson, Nevada to her past experience living in Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Xniea L. Baird conducted by Larry Holcomb on April 04, 1976 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Baird discusses her early life and growing up in Goldfield, Nevada. She talks about the devastating Goldfield fire of 1923, flooding in the area, and mineral mining. Baird describes Esmeralda County, Nevada when it was mostly tent houses, and the increase of population in Goldfield at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John M. Fleegle Jr. conducted by Kenneth Wilson on March 17, 1978 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Fleegle talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1966. He recalls working in the gypsum mines in Blue Diamond, Nevada, moving into the service station business, and the types of occupations in Las Vegas before gaming. Lastly, Fleegle describes the economic development in the city as the population increased.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pierre Bezard conducted by Su Kim Chung on September 7, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Pierre Bezard shares stories of his time as a stage director of Vive Les Girls! and Casino de Paris at the Dunes Hotel. He discusses working with producer Frederic Apcar and his time directing the Lido de Paris cabaret show and Ballet de Roland Petit in France.
Pierre's wife, Nadine Bezard, and friend, Ginnie Palone Mollner, also participate in the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Emma Stampley conducted by Claytee D. White on October 22, 2007 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Stampley discusses her early life in Fayette, Mississippi and growing up in a family of farmers. She remembers segregated schools, the living conditions during that time, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. Stampley talks about participating in the civil and welfare rights movements, and the foundation of Operation Life. Lastly, Stampley recalls traveling to civil and welfare rights movement marches, police harassment, and the African American experience in Las Vegas during that time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Erma Lee conducted by Claytee D. White on April 2, 2016 for the Folklife Program of the Nevada Arts Council and the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries. Lee begins the interview talking about her early life and the reason why she is an artist. She goes on to describe different art pieces that she has made, the varying themes, and the messages she hopes to convey through her artistic expressions. Lee speaks about the different types of art she makes and the specific equipment that is required. Lastly, she talks about her religious beliefs.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tami Belt conducted by Claytee D. White on July 26, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Tami Belt talks about learning to play golf on the Municipal Golf course where her father worked as a PGA teaching professional. She discusses life in Las Vegas, her family's professions in the city, and shops on Fremont Street like Ronzone's Department Store. Tami shares her career working in public relations and the work she has done with non-profit organizations to combat childhood cancer and homelessness.
Subjects discussed include: Nick Pahor; Emil Pahor; Cancer Camp for Kids
Archival Collection