Oral history interview with Shannon Rabb conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rabb describes her experience living in the Herbert Gerson Housing Development on the Westwide of Las Vegas. She describes it as safe, as community, and as protection from the police. In this interview, Rabb discusses a wide variety of topics including gangs, drugs, Westside businesses, and family with an expanded definition.
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
Oral history interview with Steven Ligouri conducted by Claytee White on January 20, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Ligouri discusses his career as a sculptor making jewelry in his father's business and making the statue High Scaler at Hoover Dam. He also discusses living in the John S. Park Neighborhood and on a family farm in North Las Vegas, Nevada and Boulder City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Sparrow conducted by Lonnie McDonald on March 09, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sparrow discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sparrow discusses life in early Las Vegas, how Las Vegas has changed, and the development of the Strip. Sparrow also discusses race relations in Las Vegas and the establishment of the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Cortez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 29, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cortez discusses his early life in New York City, New York and growing up in the Spanish Harlem. He talks about Puerto Rican traditions he participated in, his early interest in boxing, competing in the Golden Glove tournaments, and becoming a boxing referee. Cortez recalls some of the biggest fights he refereed, and being inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011. Lastly, Cortez discusses the boxing rivalry between Mexican and Puerto Rican boxers, and the future of boxing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold McKay conducted by Dana Jamerson on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McKay talks about the history of education in Southern Nevada. He specifically talks about the quality of education and racial integration in schools in early Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elmer Grayson conducted by Keith Baldwin on March 09, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grayson discusses atomic testing, education, the Old Frontier Casinos, and African-American entertainers in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Georgie Clark conducted by Steven E. Pilgram on March 02, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Georgie Clark discusses the Colorado River area, its changes, and its new rules and regulations as of March 02, 1980. She also discusses working as a real estate agent and as ferry command civil servant in World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jackie Abell conducted by Robert Stuart on April 03, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jackie Abell (b. 1924) discusses her experiences growing up in Virginia City, Reno, and Overton, Nevada. She specifically discusses her experiences growing up on a ranch, railroading, above ground atomic testing, flooding, and wild animals.
Archival Collection