Archival Component
Archival Component
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Debra McCracken conducted by Claytee D. White on April 13, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, McCracken discusses her early interests in library science and children's literature. She recalls being hired at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), working in the James R. Dickinson Library, and the transition into Lied Library. She talks about the switch to electronic cataloging, and working at the Teachers Development Resources Library (TDRL) at UNLV. Lastly, McCracken discusses the future of UNLV Libraries.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Phillip L. Cook conducted by Richard Strahan on March 3, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cook first talks about his parents' move to Nevada and discusses how the school system has changed over time. He then describes the first businesses that opened up in the Downtown and Strip areas of Las Vegas, Nevada before discussing prostitution, Block 16, and recreational activities available to youth. Cook also talks about the first television sets and telephone systems made available, and he moves on to talk about the prices of things such as movies and haircuts when he was younger. The interview then moves to discussions on the Old Ranch, racial discrimination, school integration, the crime rate, and the school system in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John E. Erb conducted by Susan Korzennik on February 23, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Erb discusses construction work, family life, and local social, religious, and community activities in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. He also discusses being a member of the Elks Club and the Clark County Gentlemen’s Club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Don Cunningham conducted by Claytee D. White on January 13, 2017, January 26, 2017, and February 10, 2017 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Cunningham discusses his upbringing in St. Louis, Missouri and his early interest in music. He talks about becoming a musician in the military, and traveling around the world to play in the military bands. In the second interview, Cunningham remembers the transition out of the military, becoming a freelance musician, and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969. In the final interview, Cunningham discusses his involvement with the Las Vegas Jazz Society, and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mike Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on August 17, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses his early life in Santa Clara, California and his early interest in art. He describes the first drawings he did, drawing political cartoons, and drawing about controversial ideas. Smith remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1983 and becoming the cartoonist for the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mara Braun conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 09, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Braun discusses growing up in Puerto Rico, family life, and moving to Indiana in the 1960s. She describes summer visits to Mexico City, Mexico, meeting her husband there, and converting to Judaism. Braun talks about her experiences as a Puerto Rican Jewish convert living in Mexico City, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1975. Later, Braun discusses how she got started in catering and opening her catering business, Le Royal Dreams. Lastly, Braun talks about her diverse clientele.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas Barbarite conducted by Dennis Chamberland on March 03, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Barbarite discusses his time at the Four Queens Hotel and the Dunes Hotel as a dealer as well as his work as a pit boss at the Flamingo Hotel, the Aladdin Hotel, and Caesars Palace. Barbarite also discusses the involvement of the mob in Las Vegas, particularly the influence of Bugsy Siegel in the operation of various properties.
Archival Collection