Oral history interview with Sergio Salgado conducted by Laurents Banuelos-Benitez and Rodrigo Vazquez on September 26, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada oral history project. In this interview, Sergio Salgado briefly discusses his childhood and family experiences in Juarez, Mexico, where he was born. He arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960 to work in the kitchens of the Nellis Air Force Base. Salgado discusses his work in the restaurant industry and reflects on the changes in the industry. He also shares his experiences meeting famous people, like Joe Pesci, the Rat Pack, and John F. Kennedy. Salgado recalls his work as an editorial columnist for El Mundo and discusses his involvement as a founding member of The Mexican Social Club. Finally, he discusses immigration and his feelings on his immigration process.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hershel Brooks conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 08, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Brooks tells of his conservative rabbinical career, growing up Orthodox in Brooklyn, New York, and offers insights about the Jewish community in Summerlin, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lawrence Wickliffe conducted by Kim Odusanya on November 29, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Wickliffe discusses his personal history living in Ferriday, Louisiana and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. He talks about his first impressions of the city and his career as a firefighter. Wickliffe then describes the West Las Vegas riots and protesting for social change, redlining on the Westside, and the recent economic upturn in the area. Later, Wickliffe recalls being the first African American paramedic in Las Vegas and his promotion to Battalion Fire Chief in 1978. He describes assisting at the MGM Grand fire in 1980 and the subsequent implementation of fire sprinkler systems inside hotels and casinos. Lastly, Wickliffe recalls desegregation on the Las Vegas Strip, families moving out of the Westside, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert M. Fisher conducted by DeeAnn Coombs on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fisher first discusses his background and upbringing, from being born at Nellis Air Force Base to attending several schools in Las Vegas, Nevada, and joining the U.S. Navy. Fisher also talks about the development of Las Vegas, particularly Las Vegas Strip properties, and the various recreational activities in which he would participate, such as water skiing, drag racing, and skydiving. Fisher also talks about his work at the Nevada Test Site, including his work as a draftsman for underground atomic testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tami Belt conducted by Claytee D. White on July 26, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Tami Belt talks about learning to play golf on the Municipal Golf course where her father worked as a PGA teaching professional. She discusses life in Las Vegas, her family's professions in the city, and shops on Fremont Street like Ronzone's Department Store. Tami shares her career working in public relations and the work she has done with non-profit organizations to combat childhood cancer and homelessness.
Subjects discussed include: Nick Pahor; Emil Pahor; Cancer Camp for Kids
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harriet Trudell conducted by Shannon Beesley on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Trudell begins by describing her early history in St. Petersburg, Florida, including her education and lobbying for labor unions. She discusses her career working for the presidential campaigns during the 1960s and 1970s. Trudell describes Nevada as a conservative state, and explains what she means saying Nevada was the "Mississippi of the West." Trudell also discusses working for Nevada Governor Mike O'Callaghan, the Democratic Party, her ancestors who fought in the American Civil War, and prominent moments in United States political history. Trudell concludes by describing her involvement in the women's movement and why she felt it was important.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Lee conducted by Stefani Evans and Su Kim Chung on February 29, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Lee describes his four decades of experience as a Las Vegas blackjack dealer (36 at the Four Queens Casino), after leaving behind a career in dance. Lee was selected to originate the role of "Tea" in a 1954 New York City Ballet stage production of The Nutcracker. He also danced in South Pacific at the Thunderbird, and with Carol Channing's revue at The Riviera, and a traveling production of Disney on Parade. After dancing in Alcazar de Paris at the Desert Inn Hotel in 1980, he quit dancing and went to dealer school. He worked swing shift at the Four Queens Hotel, and attended ballet classes at UNLV during the day. Lee, now 89, still works five days a week at the Four Queens. In this interview, Lee talks about ballet, typecasting, discipline, and being "ten times better." He discusses becoming a U.S. citizen in 1959 and changing his surname from Li to Lee.
Archival Collection