Oral history interview with Roosevelt Toston conducted by Claytee D. White on July 11, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Toston discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and his various careers at the Test Site, Bell Telephone of Nevada, as a television anchorman and cameraman, and the Convention and Visitors Authority to bring conventions to Las Vegas. He also talks about ways African American entrepreneurs might get involved in the convention business.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lance Burton conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 17, 2020 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Lance discusses his personal and professional histories and how he came to be a headliner at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas. He also discusses his recent affairs after retiring from performing on the Strip in 2010. Subjects discussed include: Lance Burton Theater; International Brotherhood of Magicians
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Saul Wesley conducted by David Schwartz on January 13, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Wesley discusses the distinction between the roles of a director and of a vice president in slot management. He also describes how the slot department works within various casinos such as the MGM Grand Hotel (now Bally’s) and the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Albert Datke conducted by Joe Toscano on Octocber 2, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. He discusses atomic testing, economic and environmental changes, and getting to shake hands with President Eisenhower when he visited Las Vegas, Nevada. A Mormon and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mr. Datke discussed having an active church and religious life, including serving as financial clerk and historian clerk for the church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Goldie Spicer conducted by Elmer Herren on February 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Spicer discusses working as a cocktail waitress. She also talks about the boom that Las Vegas, Nevada went through when the first casinos were being built, and when the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam occurred. She discusses El Rancho, Twin Lakes, and the Taylor Ranch.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold Smith conducted by Troy Durham on July 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943 and recalls his first impressions of the city. Smith also talks about his employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada. Finally, he discusses the development of Fremont Street, recreational activities, and the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Woodrum conducted by David Schwartz on June 12, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview, Woodrum discusses his career in gaming operations. He begins by mentioning how he grew up in Kentucky and has lived through World War II. He also explains how gaming regulations vary throughout the United States. Woodrum states that one of his first jobs was working in the sales and marketing category for the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino. He then speaks about gambling and its changes over the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with professional dancer Diana Saunders conducted by Barabra Tabach on April 17, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Oral History Project. Diana shares stories of long career as a dancer, from substituting in the black dancer line to continued study of dancing with Anglo Moio. She also talks about the AIDS fundraising event, Golden Rainbow, having dinner at Rabbi Shea Harlig’s home, observations of local theater, being a part of the former Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, Hallelujah Hollywood, and a dancer for Siegfried and Roy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Florence Schroeder conducted by DeAnn E. Hunt on March 08, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schroeder discusses her employment with the Extension Service as a home demonstration agent in Southern Nevada. She also describes her employment as a teacher in Clark County and Lincoln County, and explains her involvement with the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Later, Schroeder discusses the education system and social life in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Harold Bradford conducted by Claytee D. White, Camille Morris, Anna Frederick, and Remy Chwae on April 24, 2017 and June 10, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Bradford discusses his early life in New Orleans, Louisiana. He recalls going through a segregated school system, and his experience with integration. Bradford remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1985, his employment for the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO), and becoming an art director for YESCO. In the second interview, Bradford discusses his initial interest in neon signs, and his work ethic as a visual artist.
Archival Collection