Oral history interview with Charles J. Sorrells conducted by Karen Schank on November 30, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sorrells primarily discusses his family's history in Nevada beginning in the early 1900s when his grandfather moved there from Georgia. Sorrells describes life in the rural desert town of Shoshone, Nevada and a town called Greenwater, his grandfather's main residency, located somewhere in Death Valley. Through his family history, Sorrells provides an overview of Nevada's history as it progressed from an Old West lifestyle to modern American living by the mid-twentieth century. Sorrells also talks about life in Las Vegas, Nevada, his children, and his career as a certified public accountant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Herb Jeffries conducted by Cork Proctor on 2009 May 5 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In the interview Jeffries discusses his life as a singer and actor, entertaining in Las Vegas, Nevada where Frank Sinatra offered support when Jeffries encountered racial discrimination. He also talks about his life after retirement, his family, being an America, his military service, and his relationship with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington as a young performer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Pradia conducted by Claytee D. White on July 13, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Pradia discusses living in Cameron, Louisiana and the natural disasters that he experienced. Pradia recalls joining the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Southern University (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) and later receiving a commission to the United States Army. He describes race-relations in the military during the early 1960s and his employment for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Lastly, Pradia discusses African American golfers and teaching golf professionally in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leain Vashon conducted by Claytee D. White on July 29, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Vashon discusses joining and eventually getting elected the Vice President of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. He also discusses union benefits, strikes, today's union members, the future of the union movement, why unions are still necessary, family participation, and his 30 year employment as a bellman.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Janet Adams conducted by Glodene Sawyer on October 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Adams (born in Scotland) discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada from California with her husband. Adams also briefly discusses early churches, the above-ground atomic testing, President Kennedy’s visit, and her enjoyment in recreational fishing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Payne conducted by Mara E. Vernon on March 19, 1997 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Payne discusses his career with the Las Vegas News Bureau. He talks about his role as Head of the Bureau and his work in promoting Las Vegas through media outlets. Payne remembers the Bureau’s partnership with the Union Pacific Railroad and the beginning of corporate ownership in Las Vegas hotels and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Beverly J. Britton conducted by Jeff Neher on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview Britton offers an overview of life in the Las Vegas, Nevada area from 1955 to 1979.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Kneoki conducted by Dave Harelik on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kneoki discusses growth, crime, and religion in Nevada. He also talks about the silver mines, MX missiles, and transient people.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Jay Duarte conducted by David Schwartz on January 27, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Duarte gives a description of the various positions and roles he has held in Station Casinos and other properties on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip. Duarte then explains how the slot department works with other casino departments, and later describes the qualities that make both good and bad slot managers.
Archival Collection