Oral history interview with Robert "Bob" Oliver conducted by Dave Wolfe and Charles Williams on August 30, 1993 for the Friends of Red Rock Canyon Oral History Project. Oliver shares information about his family's history, and how they moved from Vernal, Utah to the Las Vegas, Nevada area in the 1930s. He recalls interactions with the Wilson family and their ranch in the area that is now Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. Lastly, Oliver describes the three springs on his property, equipment he had for the ranch, and native species around the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Irene Cepeda conducted by Monserrath Hernández, Nathalie Martinez, and Rodrigo Vázquez on April 24, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cepeda discusses her Nicaraguan background and growing up in North Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her educational experience, and her involvement with the Latino Youth Leadership Conference (LYLC). Cepeda remembers attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), running for the Clark County School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees, and explains the challenges that CCSD faces. She describes the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 strikes, and issues with funding CCSD schools. Lastly, Cepeda discusses the discrimination that English Language Learners (ELL) students face, and Latinx representation in elected positions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl Stokes conducted by his son, William R. Stokes, on March 02, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stokes discusses working in the moving and shipping industry of Las Vegas, Nevada. Stokes talks about the history of the companies he worked for, the condition of roads in Las Vegas during the 1960s, and who he moved materials for, including the Las Vegas Convention Center and Nellis Air Force Base. He continues, discussing life in Las Vegas, the Helldorado Parades, and how Las Vegas has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charmaine Lai conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on November 24, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Charmaine recounts her childhood growing up Hakka Chinese in South Africa. She discusses both the positives of growing up in South Africa, including the beautiful scenery and her family's cooking and traditions, and the negatives including the discrimination she faced in school and in her work. Charmaine also talks about her immigration to the United States, raising her three children, and her work as a real estate agent.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Ted Quirk conducted by Claytee D. White on December 15, 2017 and December 20, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Quirk discusses his early life in Ithaca, New York and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. He talks about his employment at Shell Oil, working in a chemical plant, and oil drilling. Quirk describes practicing law for patents, licensing, and contracts. He talks about his career in the housing development industry, and his involvement in the development of the Spanish Trails County Club. In the second interview, Quirk talks about Boys and Girls Club of America and being involved with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He remembers forming the UNLV Golf Foundation, the Runnin’ Rebels Club, and the UNLV Research Foundation. Quirk explains the situation regarding UNLV’s Basketball Coach, Jerry Tarkanian, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Lastly, Quick discusses the historical importance of the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with F. Lorin Ronnow conducted by Mindy Braver on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ronnow discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada after being hired by the Union Pacific Railroad to play for their baseball team in 1928. Ronnow discusses being a hoisting engineer during the construction of the Hoover Dam, the economic benefit of the dam during the Great Depression, and his own business ventures in Las Vegas. Ronnow describes his career in banking, how Las Vegas has changed, and prominent celebrities coming to Nevada to divorce. Ronnow also discusses occupational discrimination against African Americans and women.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arthur Marshall conducted by Claytee D. White on February 11, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Arthur Marshall discusses meeting his wife Jayn, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, and running a clothing store with his brother-in-law. He also discusses serving as President of Temple Beth Sholom, being instrumental in the formation of the Anti-Defamation League, being a member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and spending twelve years on the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hattie Canty conducted by Claytee White on February 27 and June 17, 1998 for the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Hattie Canty recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1960s and working as a maid for the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino and later the Maxim Hotel and Casino. Canty discusses her tenure as the Culinary Union Local 226 President during which she faced several labor challenges and went to jail at least six times while striking. Hattie also recalls how she influenced contract negotiations for the downtown hotels, improved race relations among workers, involved more members in union operations, and implemented the Culinary Training School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John J. Weeteling conducted by his son, Terry Weeteling, on April 07, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Weeteling describes moving to Tonopah, Nevada in 1942 while enlisted in the United States Air Force and life in the town. He talks about moving to Ely, Nevada in 1945 and working there as a truck driver, how Ely has grown and changed, and opening a paint and body shop in Hawthorne, Nevada. Weeteling continues, explaining why he moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1947, joining the fire department on the Basic Magnesium Plant compound, and describes life in Henderson. He then describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951, Fremont Street during the 1950s, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Weeteling concludes by discussing local politicians, his recreational activities, ghost towns in Nevada, and nuclear weapons testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ronald Marshall conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 14, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Marshall talks about living and working on the Walking Box Ranch outside of Las Vegas, Nevada when it was owned by Rex Bell, Sr. and Clara Bow. He discusses moving with his mother, younger brother, and step-father from Tucson, Arizona when his step-father was hired as ranch manager by the Bell's, the kind of work they did on the ranch, from building fences and a windmill to herding and branding cattle. He also discusses his friendship with Rex Bell, Jr. and how the Bureau of Land Management's decision to reduce cattle grazing impacted the business. Fianlly, he spends time identifying and discussing various cattle brands and farming implements for the interviewer.
Archival Collection