Oral history interview with Lonnie Wright conducted by Claytee White on October 23, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Wright describes the casino mentality of racism and sexism that he encountered. Wright also discusses dealing with the odds and his business endeavors. Wright then describes the value of being a team player and using athletics as a marketing strategy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christine Szukala conducted by Bridgette Foote on November 12, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Christine shares her family history and the story of her Thai mother and American Air Force father who met in Thailand and married before moving to the United States in 1970. She talks about her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada near Nellis Air Force base with her six siblings. Christine discusses her beliefs of how her newly immigrated mother adapted to American life, including altering her recipes to fit her husband's taste and reducing her visits to nearby Buddhist temples.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barbara Taylor conducted by Karen Schank on January 9, 2011 for the Nevada State College Undergraduate Oral History Project. In this interview, Taylor talks about her birth in Reno, Nevada, growing up in Minden Valley, Nevada, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943. She reflects on her education, her parents careers, and her early marriage before describing the couple's first home in Henderson's "Victory Village." Later, she discusses her own career and what it was like living in Nevada in the 1950s and 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Martin A. Sherman conducted by his daughter, Marta Sherman, on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sherman discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Wichita, Kansas in 1957. Sherman discusses jobs he had, including police officer with the Henderson Police Department and as a locksmith. He also describes involvement with the United Commercial Travelers of America organization. Sherman also discusses how Las Vegas has changed and his own aspirations for himself and his business.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John P. Watkins conducted by Brian Watkins on March 04, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Watkins discusses his personal history and education in medicine. He then describes being one of the first urologists in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls his experiences at various hospitals throughout the city. Later, Watkins discusses the first malpractice insurance available and why such insurance was important for private physicians. Lastly, Watkins describes the American Medical Association (AMA), construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), and the development of casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Deaner conducted by Claytee D. White on April 4, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Charles Deaner discusses coming to Las Vegas, Nevada to practice law in the 1950s. He also discusses stories of his first law practice and legal case, as well as his insights and descriptions of the many changes that have occurred over the decades that he has lived and worked in the Las Vegas community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Saul Willis conducted by Claytee D. White on January 14, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Willis discusses his personal history and moving from Sondheimer, Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. He talks about living in West Las Vegas, nightlife entertainment in the area, and community leaders at the time. He then recalls the increase of drug use in the Westside, being incarcerated for a year, and starting an automobile mechanic business. Lastly, Willis discusses his experience with the Las Vegas court system and the continued development of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview Betty Pavlikowski conducted by Roy Mankins in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pavlikowski discusses her position on the board of directors for a social club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pavlikowski details the creation and daily operations of the club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlie Lombardo conducted by David G. Schwartz on June 28, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Lombardo discusses working with coin wrapping machines, the 1980 MGM Grand fire, and learning the operational and technical aspects of slot machines. Lombardo also speaks about what he believes makes both good and bad slot managers, slot floors, and new slot machines. He then describes some of the changes in slots and slot management over the years, including both the Megabucks and Pot of Gold slot jackpots.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Chet Carrigan conducted by Robert Kahre on February 17, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Carrigan first talks about his background in construction as well as some of his experiences in the Sheriff’s Posse before describing the major events and changes of Las Vegas, Nevada that he witnessed. Carrigan also talks about his family, the effects of the Great Depression on the city, the flooding problem, and the building of Hoover Dam. He also describes the first schools in Las Vegas, means of transportation, his laundry business, his experience on the volunteer fire department, the first movie theaters, and Cashman Field.
Archival Collection