Archival Component
Oral history interview with William McCullough conducted by Pete Wahlquist on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McCullough discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931 for employment opportunities at the Boulder (Hoover) Dam. McCullough later goes into detail about the process of building the dam and what it was like to work there. Lastly, McCullough discusses the Las Vegas Strip, the hotels, and entertainers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Erick Spiess conducted by Thomas Barr on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Spiess discusses his personal history and how he came to Las Vegas, Nevada. Spiess describes how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed, construction projects he has worked on, and his interest in inventing. Spiess also discusses his career as the electrical inspector at the Nevada Test Site, how and why the nuclear tests were conducted, and the commercial applications of the tests. He goes on to talk about radiation and the effects of nuclear fallout.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steve Schiller conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 01, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Schiller discusses his upbringing in Fillmore, California. He describes attending the California Polytechnic State University, studying structural engineering, and explains the type of work he does on buildings. Schiller then talks about the demolition of The Harmon Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, buildings he has done planning for, and collaborating with building owners when constructing a new building. Later, Schiller discusses the development of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, the Venetian, and Paris Las Vegas. Lastly, Schiller talks about the lasting issues that resulted from the Great Recession in 2007.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Horace Emery conducted by Barry Sarles on March 02, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Emery discusses the local area around Nelson, Nevada and the early events that helped shape the area. Emery also discusses his work as a river boatman on the Colorado River, working on the Hoover and Davis Dams, and employment as a factory worker in Clark County, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dorothy Lee conducted by Claytee D. White on June 02, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Lee discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls horse riding from Paradise Township to downtown Las Vegas. After moving to the John S. Park neighborhood, she attended Las Vegas High School and worked at the Huntridge Theater as an usher. She also discusses her time working as an elevator operator at the Riviera and how she became a Rhythmette in her second year in high school.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lupe Avelar conducted by Marcela Rodriguez-Campo and Maribel Estrada Calderón for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Lupe Avelar describes her life growing up in Durango, Mexico on a family farm and her immigration to New Mexico as a teen with her brother before returning back to Mexico. Lupe talks about her marriage to Eladio Avelar and how the couple eventually moved to California as well as her circumstances of moving to Las Vegas.
Subjects discussed include: cotton fields; cotton farming.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hugo Chuc conducted by Elsa Lopez on December 6, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Hugo Chuc discusses growing up in Guatemala and moving to the United States. His early life was often unstable due to economic difficulties. Once Hugo turned nineteen, he made the journey to the United States and remained in California for a few years. When the cost of living became too much, Chuc and his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. He found work at Apex Construction, where he was first introduced to the Culinary Union. Chuc became increasingly involved in union work, despite the backlash he received from his employers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Segerblom conducted by Layne Karafantis on February 07, 2009 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Segerblom begins by discussing her family and her education at the University of Nevada, Reno and her marriage. Segerblom moves on to describe her career as a freelance writer and her husband's career as a photographer and their collaborations over two decades. Segerblom also discusses her teaching career and daycare business. Finally, Segerblom talks about her time as a city councilwoman for Boulder City, Nevada, including the issues she represented and the city projects she worked on.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with R. Byron Stringer conducted by Claytee D. White on May 11, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. String begins the interview discussing his childhood, and growing up as the child of a preacher. After moving to Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 16, Stringer recalls spending time in the library and wearing zoot suits while attending high school. Stringer then discusses his journey to becoming a Las Vegas Metro police officer, and recalls what the police academy experience was like. Over the years, while fulfilling many positions in the police department, he also learned to write plays, and he began to talk and write about his experiences in the police department. This led to his current venture, the "Toe Tag Monologues." The Monologues are designed to help people survive their pain, trauma, the world. Stringer writes and produces plays around various Toe Tags helping young people on drugs, those being bullied, and those contemplating suicide.
Archival Collection