Oral history interview with Patricia M. Haack conducted by Claytee D. White on May 21, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Haack begins by discussing her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s and 1950s, and what it was like living in the Four Mile community. She continues, describing her education at Las Vegas High School and her career working for First National Bank of Nevada, eventually becoming the vice president of the bank. Haack talks about other aspects of her personal history, such as living in California and the different locations she has lived in Las Vegas. She concludes by discussing her recreational activities and her efforts to start an alumni association for Las Vegas High School graduates.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Freddy Chavez conducted by Marcela Rodriguez Campo, Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez, Maribel Estrada Calderon, and Barbara Tabach on February 7, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Chavez recalls his early life and childhood in Bolivia, where he was born. Chavez talks about why he left his home country and the experiences he had in Brazil. After spending a few years in Brazil, Chavez came to the United States on a student visa to learn English. He discusses his immigration to Florida and his brief marriage. In 2001, Chavez made his way to Las Vegas, Nevada where he founded the Las Vegas Carnaval International, a parade celebrating Mardi Gras and the cultures that celebrate it. Chavez discusses his experience working with parades and his passion for event organizing, as well as his civic engagements.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Marshall Darnell conducted by Cynthia Johnson on November 07, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Darnell reflects upon his more than 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from 1960 to 1994. Darnell describes his approach to school administration, job duties as principal, and some of the biggest challenges that he faced. He discusses school integration and efforts to promote student diversity, as well as the increasing number of women administrators within CCSD.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Warner conducted by James E. Guessman on October 27, 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Warner discusses arriving to Southern Nevada in 1925 and recalls personal experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. Warner then discusses city growth and changes, including the development of Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Warner shares his opinions on the future of Las Vegas' economics and local government.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Alma Whitney conducted by Claytee D. White on March 03, 1996 and May 28, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Whitney opens the interview by talking about her life in Tallulah, Louisiana. She discusses race relations in Tallulah and how she traveled from Tallulah to Las Vegas, Nevada. Whitney describes her first job as a maid at the Desert Moon Motel, and her move later to the Desert Inn Hotel. Whitney discusses her career of over 30 years at the Desert Inn along with her promotion from maid to supervisor. Whitney also describes a time when Desert Inn employees went on strike for three weeks.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Reed Phelps conducted by Kim Geary on November 02, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Phelps discusses his career working on the railroads in Nevada and California before moving to Blue Diamond, Nevada to work as a miner. Phelps describes life as a miner in Blue Diamond and the town's history. Phelps also discusses changes that occurred in the town after the Flintkote Company took over the mining operation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Howard Heckethorn conducted by Richard Eitland on February 15, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mr. Heckethorn describes going to school in the early days of Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about many notable teachers he had, as well as the development of the Las Vegas area. Heckethorn also discusses his arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1930, and recalls the Old Mormon Fort, El Rancho, The Last Frontier, and the tourism that gambling brought to the city. Heckethorn discusses the 1960s, and the impact Howard Hughes had in the development of hotels and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ken Hanlon conducted by Claytee D. White on November 29, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Hanlon, a trombonist, discusses being on the road with Si Zentner's orchestra and playing in many of the Las Vegas Strip hotels. He also discusses getting hired as chair of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Music Department in 1970. Hanlon then discusses the Las Vegas, Nevada Chapter of the International Trombone Association and the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Benny Binion conducted by William Hernstadt on February 8, 1976 for the Las Vegas, Nevada KVVU Channel Five television program "Spotlight." Binion talks briefly about the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino, the process of running a successful casino, publicity, and potential city improvements that could help business. He likes the idea of more hotel rooms, a convention center, a weekend train to and from Los Angeles, California, and dislikes the idea of a pedestrian mall in the downtown area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Herb Tobman conducted by Stephen Tidwell on April 23, 1986 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.
In this interview, Herb Tobman discusses his upbringing in the Bronx, New York, his Russian-Jewish ancestry, and his service in the United States Navy. He talks about his move to Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife in 1952 and his employment history, starting with his ownership of a used furniture store and the Western Cab Company; his executive casino work as general manager of the Moulin Rouge Hotel and the Aladdin Hotel and Casino; and as president of the Stardust Resort and Casino and Fremont Hotel and Casino. Tobman shares his involvement in the community, how the city of Las Vegas has grown and changed, and the happiness he and his family have experienced living in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection