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Joan Adams Shoofey oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03915

Abstract

Oral history interview with Joan Adams Shoofey conducted by Claytee D. White on January 30, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Shoofey recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955, where she became Miss Sahara Hotel Casino before becoming Miss Nevada. Born in Fresno, California, Shoofey moved to Tahoe the day following her high school graduation. She and her friend ran the Stateline Country Club for one season and then moved to Las Vegas. Once at the Sahara, she became the Entertainment Coordinator at the Flamingo and then at the International where she worked with Tom Jones.

Archival Collection

James W. Watts Jr. oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01929

Abstract

Oral history interview with James W. Watts Jr. conducted by Linda Musser on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Watts discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956, and describes working as a pit boss and card dealer at the Four Queens on Fremont Street. Watts then discusses the first female card dealers, cheating in casinos, and security inside gambling halls. Watts later explains the origins of the Nevada Gaming Commission and explains how it affected gambling throughout Nevada. Lastly, Watts talks about the responsibilities of a pit boss.

Archival Collection

Jane Ann Morrison oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03617

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jane Ann Morrison conducted by Claytee D. White on May 10, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Morrison discusses her early life in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She talks about her early interest in journalism, her employment at The Christian Science Monitor, and reporting for the Southwest Times Record. Morrison recalls transferring to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 and reporting for the Nevadan, which was a Sunday magazine published by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. She describes writing reports on organized crime, local politics, and covering Operation Yobo and Operation G-Sting. Lastly, Morrison discusses her more meaningful coverages.

Archival Collection

Pamela Jones Brown oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03916

Abstract

Oral history interview with Pamela Jones Brown conducted by Claytee D. White on June 12, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Brown discusses growing up in Nashville, Tennessee and meeting her husband, Joe W. Brown, while attending Sweer Briar College and married two months later. They moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in July 1968, where she taught English and French at Brinley Junior High School. She left teaching and joined PBS/Channel 10 as a scriptwriter. The Junior League of Las Vegas became her creative outlet with the "Crossroads of the West" project that documented the history of the town. These short documentaries were produced by the local PBS statio, and she discusses writing the scripts.

Archival Collection

Charles Nur Fernald oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00583

Abstract

Oral history interview with Charles Nur Fernald conducted by Claytee D. White on May 31, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Charles Nur Fernald discusses permanently moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in January 1968 to perform with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. He discusses auditioning for the Lido de Paris show at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. He talks about how he remained there for sixteen years and how he is the only male dancer who performed with Lido through five different consecutive productions. Fernald also discusses meeting his partner, Aquiles Garcia in 1969.

Archival Collection

Irene Sprague Black oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00196

Abstract

Oral history interview with Irene Sprague Black conducted by Chari Horne on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview Black discusses early Las Vegas, Nevada, local schools, homes, friends, family life, and the Mormon Church. Black also discusses Mesquite, Nevada, Indian Reservations, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, the Hoover Dam, and Bunkerville, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Sue Ann Porter oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01498

Abstract

Oral history interview with Sue Ann Porter conducted by Suzanne Becker on December 29, 2008 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. In this interview, Porter discusses her early life and growing up with her three siblings and parents. She mentions that she shares the house she lives in with her mother Ina Porter, in the John S. Park Neighborhood of Las Vegas, Nevada. Porter continues to explain the background of the John S. Park Neighborhood, including how she met new groups of people while attending church. She says that she experienced diversity throughout her life experiences. She also talks about how she changed from junior high school to high school and became a more social person.

Archival Collection

George Ullom II oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01856

Abstract

Oral history interview with George Ullum II conducted by Gerald Brooks on September 28, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ullum discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1910s. He describes life in the city during the early twentieth century and how the city changed and expanded, including construction of various buildings, casinos, and roads. Ullum goes on to discuss the careers he held, such as officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, district manager and safety engineer for the Nevada Industrial Commission, and city manager for the City of Las Vegas. He also talks about his family, political involvements, and the areas of Las Vegas he has lived in.

Archival Collection

Henry L. Regan Jr. oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01549

Abstract

Oral history interview with Henry L. Regan Jr. conducted by John Grygo on October 12, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Regan discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958 and becoming a musician and a gang member. Later, he discusses turning his life around and becoming a skycap at McCarran International Airport.

Archival Collection

Charlene Cox Cruze oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00310

Abstract

Oral history interview with Charlene Cox Cruze conducted by Claytee D. White and Karen Schank on August 9, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Charlene discusses her early ancestors traveling through the area in the 1850s and her grandparents settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1905, the year it was founded. She discusses how she is a registered Cherokee, Daughter of the American Revolution, and Daughter of the Utah Pioneers. She discusses her career as a Las Vegas tour guide and of her memories of the evolution of Las Vegas from a small town to a city with casinos owned by corporations.

Archival Collection