Oral history interview with Alex Kang conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on October 4, 2022 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Kang discusses his childhood moving back and forth between Pusan, South Korea and America as his parents sought the best place to raise their children. Kang recalls the multitude of endeavors he has heavily invested in since he was young, from moving to Brazil to pursue his interests in soccer to practicing golf every single day in his youth. Kang attended San Diego State University on a scholarship to play golf and majored in math. He got involved in a party bus business, honed his golf skills, and decided to learn how to count cards at the casino. Kang moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2013. Throughout the rest of the interview, Kang discusses how he organizes extravagant events, including an event hosting the popular K-Pop group BTS in Las Vegas, his golfing career, and enjoying his life surrounded by his family.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leo Dunbar conducted by Jay Brewer on May 05, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dunbar discusses the growth of Boulder City, Nevada, the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and World War I.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Frias conducted by Paula Soto on March 02, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Frias discusses working in the cab business, Nellis Air Force Base, and tourism in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mirna Preciado conducted by Claytee D. White on September 11, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Preciado discusses migrating from Mexico to Las Vegas, Nevada, being recruited into the Culinary Union Local 226, the Frontier Hotel Strike, and working 15 years as an organizer in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Trish Geran conducted by Claytee D. White on April 14, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Trish Geran discusses her early life in Las Vegas, Nevada's historic Westside neighborhood, attending Catholic schools, and the feelings of not belonging that shaped her world view: she was different from her white, wealthy schoolmates, and as a private school student she was different from her neighbors. Trish also discusses her life in politics and activism.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Star conducted by Tony Morneau on September 15, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Star discusses moving from Brooklyn, New York to Henderson, Nevada in 1955. In 1959, Star moved from Henderson to Las Vegas, Nevada to run a family-owned pawn shop. Star goes into detail about atomic bomb testing, the growth of Las Vegas, and gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Violet Tracht conducted by Joyce Moore on January 09, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Tracht discusses life in Southern Nevada during the 1920s to 1940s. Tracht describes living in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Westside and what the city was like before there was any major development on Fremont Street or the Las Vegas Strip. She also describes living in Boulder City, Nevada, and her husband's grocery store business. Tracht also talks about prominent stores in Las Vegas during the time, her family history, and their recreational activities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harriet Trudell conducted by Claytee D. White on April 19, 2007 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Project. Trudell begins by describing her early history and the powerful influence of her father on her life, beliefs, and politics. She continues talking about politicians that she admires from Hubert Humphrey to Harry Reid, and her desire to work to improve the lives of the marginalized. She relates early education to make her a "southern lady" and her rejection of the concept, as well as her later education in Florida and beginning to lobby for the labor unions. She discusses her marriage and move to Las Vegas, Nevada, her career working for the presidential campaign of Vice President Hubert Humphrey in 1968, and the campaign for Senator George McGovern in 1972. Trudell describes Nevada as a conservative state, and explains what she means saying Nevada was the "Mississippi of the West." Trudell also discusses working for Nevada Governor Mike O'Callaghan, the Democratic Party, her ancestors who fought in the American Civil War, and prominent moments in United States political history. Trudell concludes by describing her involvement in the women's movement and why she felt it was important.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Waldemar Jackson conducted by Claytee White on May 06, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Jackson discusses topics such as working at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, drugs in the community, and the tragedy caused by them among generations. He also talks about the task of pulling lives back from the brink of succumbing to addiction.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roger Pettersson conducted by David G. Schwartz on February 24, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Petterson discusses his background and his experiences in multiple positions for slot management. Pettersson also discusses the various slot operations in casinos such as the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, and the Mirage Hotel and Casino. He then describes what makes a good slot manager, what customers are looking for in slot machines, and how the slot industry has changed over the years, particularly with the use of free play.
Archival Collection