Oral history interview with Gloria Freeman Dell conducted by Claytee D. White on April 05, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Dell discusses her life as a Las Vegas, Nevada showgirl and her experiences in the entertainment industry. She describes working at the Flamingo Hotel and tells several anecdotes about prominent entertainers she met or performed with, including Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. Dell also discusses living in a barracks specifically for showgirls, being pursued romantically by Howard Hughes, and concludes the interview by singing a song from one of her former acts.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lero Erbe conducted by Claytee D. White on February 04, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Erbe discusses her personal history and her career as an educator. She primarily describes her work in the Head Start education program in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she enrolled young children from low-income families to provide them a preliminary education before they began school. Erbe also recalls her husband and his work as a teacher and administrator in the Clark County school system. She also discusses what life in Las Vegas was like for her and her husband and the shows they enjoyed seeing on the Las Vegas Strip. Erbe's family member, Beau, is also present, and comments on a discussion about racial integration in the local school system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Allen Fritzsche conducted by Joyce Moore on February 12, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Fritzsche begins by discussing his time in the United States Air Force, his interest in electronics, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964 after being employed by EG & G, Inc. He describes his job duties measuring radiation levels at the Nevada Test Site, as well as at other test sites and nuclear power plants around the country and the world. Fritzsche talks about the effects of radiation and nuclear fallout, nuclear weapons tests, and life in Las Vegas during the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Eva Futch conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2010 and November 10, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Futch begins by discussing her personal history in Sweden, describing her early life, education, and what life was like in Sweden. She continues by describing her involvement in the boxing industry through her husband, Eddie Futch, who was a prominent boxing trainer. Futch provides insight into various aspects of boxing, how her husband trained fighters, and provides details on how the industry operates and the athletes she met. Futch describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995 and the boxing events she was involved with in the city. She also goes through a series of photographs and memorabilia of her husband and explains their history and significance.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donna George conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 14, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, George discusses growing up in Las Vegas and the changes in the city. She then talks about her husband, David George, and his employment at the Nevada Test Site. George recalls David’s transportation to and from the test site, how the two would communicate when David was working, and concerns about exposure to radiation. Lastly, she discusses the change from aboveground testing to underground testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bonnie Hawkins conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hawkins discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1950s. She then describes Madison School and the Westside. Lastly, Hawkins discusses the Moulin Rouge and changes within the Westside community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ed W. May conducted by Claytee D. White on July 22, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, May discusses golfing in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Valley View Club, an organization for predominately African American golfers, and its significance to the African American community. May describes how the club began and recalls anecdotes from his time as president of the club for nine years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sebastian Mikulich Sr. conducted by Sherry Angell on July 17, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mikulich discusses his personal history and his employment with Southern Pacific Railroad. Mikulich describes the expansion of railroads throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona. Later, he recalls working during the Korean War, and the increase of transportation on trains in the 1960s. Lastly, he explains the work he performed on the trains and shares anecdotes from his career.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Mills conducted by Risa Rosenstein on March 07, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mills discusses the gaming industry in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls the growth of gambling throughout the city. Mills then explains the origins of slot machines and the increase in number of slot machines inside casinos in Las Vegas. Lastly, Mills describes the technological advancement of slot machines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Julia Payne conducted by Claytee D. White on February 11, 2004 and March 07, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Payne discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. She describes discrimination, redlining on the Westside, and recalls the lack of integration at the time. Payne then discusses Jackson Street and compares it to the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Payne talks about Cove Hotel, Hank’s Place, Colony Club, and the decline in African American businesses on Jackson Street. In the second interview, Payne discusses welfare rights, changes to the Westside and growth of suburban areas. She describes her employment with the Southern Nevada Drug Abuse Council and becoming the first African American substance abuse counselor. Lastly, Payne discusses her position as Executive Director of Nevada Treatment Center.
Archival Collection