Oral history interview with Lawrence Wickliffe conducted by Kim Odusanya on November 29, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Wickliffe discusses his personal history living in Ferriday, Louisiana and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. He talks about his first impressions of the city and his career as a firefighter. Wickliffe then describes the West Las Vegas riots and protesting for social change, redlining on the Westside, and the recent economic upturn in the area. Later, Wickliffe recalls being the first African American paramedic in Las Vegas and his promotion to Battalion Fire Chief in 1978. He describes assisting at the MGM Grand fire in 1980 and the subsequent implementation of fire sprinkler systems inside hotels and casinos. Lastly, Wickliffe recalls desegregation on the Las Vegas Strip, families moving out of the Westside, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rochelle Hooks conducted by Rebecca Snetselaar and Binnie Wilkin on April 12, 2016 for the Folklife Program of the Nevada Arts Council and the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries. Hooks begins by talking about who she is and what she does. She explains what storytelling is in the African American community and how she used education to tell them. She describes her experiences with storytelling, the lessons she has learned, and what she appreciates about it. Then, Hooks speaks about important people in the African American community and the impact they had. She talks about the reason she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, the development of the African American community and arts, and the impacts of storytelling. Lastly, she recalls stories about her family history.
Archival Collection
Eunice Claxton oral history interview conducted by Claytee White on June 4, 5, and 10, 2015 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Claxton discusses living in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, attending the Westside School, working as shield in El Morocco nightclub, and memories of Jackson Street life.
Archival Collection
Official photo of Assistant Sheriff Greg McCurdy
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Oral history interview with William Eugene Plaid conducted by Claytee D. White on June 03, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Plaid begins by describing his family history and his upbringing in Illinois, telling stories from his childhood and young adulthood concerning his jobs, education, and discrimination he faced as an African American. He discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963, where he began his career as a waiter at the Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino before later working at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, where he spent the majority of his career. Plaid details the celebrities he has served, including Frank Sinatra and Milton Berle, racial segregation and integration in Las Vegas, and the service industry in the casinos. Other topics of discussion include his children, organized crime in Las Vegas, and how Las Vegas has changed since the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Willard Booth conducted by Larmaya Kilgore on November 14, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Booth discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956. He describes his employment at the Sands Hotel and Casino and later at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino. Booth then talks about segregation issues for African Americans working on the Las Vegas Strip. Later, Booth discusses his involvement with the Second Baptist Church and describes the work he would do for the church. Lastly, Booth describes West Las Vegas and entertainers who would perform at the Carver House, the Moulin Rouge, and the Town Tavern.
Archival Collection
Transcript of interview with June and Lewis Whitly by Claytee D. White on November 2, 2007. June and Lewis Whitley moved to Las Vegas as newlyweds in 1958. June worked as a maid and then found a position with Centel Telephone and was on the Board of the Clark County Community College. Lewis worked at Test Site as a cook and later for the Clark County Fire Department.
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Oral history interview with James Jones Jr. conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 28, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Jones discusses growing up in Waverly and Tallulah, Louisiana in the 1940s. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, his initial impressions of the city, and his employment at the Nevada Test Site. Jones then describes race discrimination on the Strip, the type of jobs available to African Americans, and his experiences living on the Westside. Later, Jones recalls seeing Sammy Davis Jr. perform at the Moulin Rouge in Las Vegas, meeting Martin Luther King Jr., and changes in the Westside. Lastly, Jones discusses his career in funeral services, describes the industry, and running his own business, Thomas and Jones Funeral Home.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with June Whitley and Lewis Whitley conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2007 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview the Whitleys discuss moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958 as newlyweds. Lewis Whitley discusses working at the Nevada Test site as a cook, working for the Clark County Fire Department as a fire hydrant inspector, and then retiring in 2007. June Whitley talks about working as a maid, getting a position with Centel Telephone Company, and then getting a seat on the Board of Regents for the Clark County Community College in 1978. The couple then shares their unique experiences about the growth of the African American community in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Color photograph of Helen and Will Anderson, owners of Hamburger Heaven.
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