Oral history interview with Richard G. McCracken conducted by Claytee D. White on September 30, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. McCracken discusses multiple labor unions in Chicago, Illinois and Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls various strikes, women in union leadership positions, and how the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 was different from the typical labor union in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard E. Strahlem conducted by Jacqueline R. Hall on March 12, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Strahlem discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958 in search of job opportunities. Strahlem then describes the local businesses that he worked with and recalls the competitive nature of gambling. Strahlem later discusses the construction of McCarren International Airport and the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lonnie Pittman conducted by Beverly Williams on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pittman, an African American man, describes the treatment and living conditions of African Americans in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s. Pittman also discusses the job opportunities available to African Americans, segregation, and the quality of schooling available to African American children at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Allen Sharpe conducted by Patricia Holland on May 10, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sharpe discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1929 and moving into one of the first homes in North Las Vegas. He then talks about the expansion of West Las Vegas and the increase of casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Sharpe discusses his job as a painter and recalls experiences in the painting business.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Verna Chadwick conducted by Keri Wright on February 24, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Chadwick first talks about her early life in Utah, and some of the activities in which she took part when first arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada. She then talks about her involvement in Cub Scouts, her church membership, political involvement, recreational activities, atomic testing, the first stores, casinos, and Las Vegas utilities during the 1950s, particularly water. The interview finalized with a discussion on social changes and the changes in prices of goods over the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Ronzone conducted by Terrence R. Black on October 20, 1972 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Ronzone discusses his upbringing in Manhattan, Nevada and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1929. He talks about his involvement in local politics, campaigning for Clark County Commissioner, and political changes in Southern Nevada. Ronzone describes recreational activities he participated in, above ground atomic bomb testing, and the increase of tourism to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Isadore Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on February 07, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Isadore Washington discusses playing with Wayne Newton when they were children and life on the Westside and joining the sheriff's department after high school and became the first black deputy sheriff. He also discusses people and places on the Westside in the eighties, medical care for blacks as far back as the fifties, and renting a room to entertainers after he bought his first house.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Bach conducted by Mary R. Parrish on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bach discusses topics such as the Nevada Test Site, the Alamo, African Americans in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Carpentry Union of 1980, and Fong’s Garden.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oran Gragson conducted by Perry Kaufman on December 25, 1972 for the UNLV Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Gragson discusses his employment at Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and Basic Magnesium Plant, and eventually opening his own business in 1967. He then describes changes in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls his involvement with politics. Gragson then discusses his time as the mayor of Las Vegas and explains the challenges he faced as mayor. Lastly, Gragson describes the difference between county government and city government.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gretchen Braner conducted by Stacey Skidmore on November 24, 2009 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Braner reflects back on her career as a teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District from the 1980s to the early 2000s. Braner discusses the process by which she trained to become a school administrator, which portions of the training were most beneficial, and the importance of life experiences in shaping her philosophy of education. She describes her regular job responsibilities, and explains the importance of balancing work priorities to avoid burnout. She also discusses the importance of fostering relationships with students and staff to make school administration meaningful.
Archival Collection