Oral history interview with David L. Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on March 18, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Washington discusses his personal history, education, experiences in the military, and becoming a firefighter in Las Vegas, Nevada. Washington talks about his employment at the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue department, explains the procedures for certain fire emergencies, and what it was like when women joined the department in the 1960s. Finally, he recalls becoming the City of Las Vegas Fire Chief.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arno Marsh conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 08, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Marsh moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957. After transferring into the Las Vegas union in 1959, he signed on to perform with Charlie Ventura at the old Thunderbird Hotel. Marsh recalls playing at several different hotels on the Las Vegas strip as well as sharing the stage with a number of famous entertainers in the business. His recollections span several decades and cover a variety of topics related to the Las Vegas jazz scene.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Byron Shutt conducted by Jack Andrews on March 09, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shutt discusses the history of Henderson, Nevada after moving there from Missouri in 1949. Shutt describes hitchhiking his way to Las Vegas, Nevada from Missouri, meeting Jim Thorpe in Thorpe's Henderson supper club, and the legalization of gambling in Henderson. Shutt also discusses mining operations in Henderson, chemical plants in Henderson such as the Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada plant, housing, and the Henderson school system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Andres Dominguez conducted by Marcela Rodriguez Campo, Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez, and Barbara Tabach on February 11, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Dominguez discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up on the Eastside. He talks about the history of barbering in his family, and his path to becoming a barber. Dominguez describes the process of acquiring the barbershop at the El Cortez Hotel and Casino, and the significance of the location to his family. Lastly, Dominguez discusses his perspective on life, the importance of networking, and his decision in naming his shop Speakeasy Barbershop LV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte M. Kelly conducted by Terri Lynn Truesdell on April 4, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kelly discusses local history that she experienced as well as her reasons for moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also talks about Las Vegas' population growth and Nellis Air Force Base.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Martha Drohobyczar conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on March 24, 2009 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. Drohobyczar discusses her careers as a nurse midwife and a nursing professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron M. Portaro conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 27, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Portaro speaks about Built-Rite Construction, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993, and meeting notable Las Vegas men such as Pastor Paul Goulet Arnie Adamsen, and Charlie Kajkowski. Potaro also discusses how these experiences enabled him to benefit his church, his family, and his adopted community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Leavitt conducted by his son, Monte Leavitt, on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mr. Leavitt talks about his career as a truck and bus driver. He also talks about the life in Southern Nevada, the soldiers stationed here, and gambling. Leavitt also briefly discusses doing drilling work on the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Neil H. Holmes conducted by Laura Bell on February 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Holmes covers the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam and Las Vegas, Nevada’s living conditions in 1931.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rick Tilman conducted by Nicholas Christie on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tilman discusses his personal history and his educational background. Tilman then describes changes in Las Vegas, Nevada and how gambling helped the Las Vegas economy grow. He later recalls atomic bomb testing, local politics, and the rise of crime throughout Las Vegas.
Archival Collection