Oral history interview with Trula McGee conducted by Claytee D. White on March 17, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Trula McGee talks about her experiences growing up in a military family and her time as a student and young adult in the Westside community. She also discusses her employment as a Keno writer and runner at the Sands Hotel and Casino, Castaways Hotel and Casino, and the Silver Slipper Gambling Hall and Saloon and how this led to her meeting both Wayne Newton and Marvin Gaye.
Subjects discussed include: Carver Park; Basic High School; Nevada State Bank; Jackson Ave.; Golden West Shopping Center; Reuben's Supper Club; and Larry's Sight and Sound.
Archival Collection
The Harrah’s Entertainment Corporate Archives (dating from 1811 to 2004 with the bulk of the materials dating from 1940 to 2000) contain the promotional and corporate files of Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. and its predecessors, as well as Bill Harrah’s personal papers and card game collection. The materials were compiled and developed as a corporate archive by Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.’s Corporate Communications Department. The collection is primarily comprised of casino and employee periodicals, reports, manuals, promotional files, ephemera, and newspaper articles that document Bill Harrah’s casinos in Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe as well as Harrah’s Inc., Holiday Inns, Inc., Holiday Corporation, the Promus Companies, and Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Also included are photographs that document the construction of Harrah’s properties, business operations, the people who worked and performed at Harrah’s properties, and Bill Harrah’s automobile collection. The collection also contains Bill Harrah’s collection of playing cards and card games. Also included are photographs of the Harrah family.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Raul Daniels conducted by Maribel Estrada Calderon on July 03, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Daniels discusses his childhood memories of Cuauhtémoc, Mexico and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family in 1989. He talks about his father’s employment in construction and joining the painters union. Daniels then recalls attending Las Vegas High School, receiving his citizenship, and his experiences attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Daniels describes learning about The LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada, studying international business, his employment at Neiman Marcus, and eventually becoming the Vice President of Catering with Station Casinos. Later, Daniels discusses what The Center meant to him as a gay teen and being a member of the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL). Lastly, Daniels recalls going through the adoption process for his son and talks about Aids for Aids Nevada (AFAN).
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Bob Stoldal conducted by Claytee D. White on May 22, 2014, May 23, 2014, and March 3, 2016 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In these interviews, Stoldal discusses his upbringing in California before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957. He talks about pursuing a career in journalism including working at Channel 3 and Channel 8, his interest in history, and involvement with cultural organizations including the Nevada State Museum, the MOB Museum, and Las Vegas Centennial Commission. Stoldal comments on the experiences of African Americans in Las Vegas including the 1969 Westside protests, sixth grade centers, and the treatment of entertainers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Wesley conducted by Claytee D. White on October 22, 2007 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Wesley discusses her early life in Quitman, Mississippi. She recalls the racism she experienced during her youth, the church community in Quitman, and traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada by train. She talks about the welfare rights movement in Las Vegas, Operation Life, and businesses on Jackson Street. Lastly, Wesley describes the entertainment on the Westside, and integration on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sidney Lowe conducted by Claytee D. White on January 22, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Lowe begins the interview by discussing her upbringing in Alabama and South Carolina and her experiences with racial segregation and discrimination. She continues, describing places she has lived, her relationship with the father of her children, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1982. Lowe talks about life in Las Vegas during the 1980s, obtaining a position in the James R. Dickinson Library at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as a library assistant, and her education. Lowe concludes by discussing her career working for the UNLV library system and the library's function on campus.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl G. Heron conducted by Claytee D. White on November 22, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Heron recalls his childhood in Queens, New York, where he learned automobile mechanics from his father. He used that knowledge to become a mechanic on fighter planes for the United States Air Force. Heron was stationed for some time at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also was stationed in San Antonio, San Bernadino, Wichita Falls, and Fort Bragg. He became a flight engineer and took part in Red Flagg War Games Training while stationed at Nellis AFB. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Maheu conducted by K. J. Evans on April 19, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview, Maheu discusses Howard Hughes and attempts by Bill Gay and associates to take Hughes' business. Maheu then discusses his career in the FBI and CIA before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Finally, Maheu talks about working for Hughes.
Archival Collection
The websites archived in this series were selected by UNLV Special Collections and Archives staff to represent a broad overview of community reaction to COVID-19 in the Las Vegas Valley from March 2020 to July 2021. Websites from local news media, educational institutions, the hospitality industry, arts and entertainment industry, municipal governments, public health departments, and UNLV are represented in this series.
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Kenneth W. Fong conducted by Lois Goodall on February 22, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 1. Fong discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and being the son of two successful and philanthropic community members, Wing and Lilly Fong. Fong also discusses his father starting a grocery store and later in 1955, Fong’s Garden. He then discusses real estate development, Nevada State Bank development, as well as contributing to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Chinatown evolution.
Archival Collection