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Lestor Burgwardt oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Lestor Burgwardt conducted by Connie Carr on February 09, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Burgwardt covers local entertainment, Lake Mead, school districts, and gaming’s effect on the educational system. He also recalls his move to Nevada and offers a general overview of Henderson, Nevada in 1954.
Archival Collection
Lois Mathews oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Lois Mathews conducted by Pat Kohlman on December 07, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mathews discusses early life in Boulder City, Nevada. Mathews also discusses the changes that Boulder City, Nevada had as a result of the population growth in Southern Nevada. Mathews later describes her various visits to Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls attending shows at the casinos on Fremont Street.
Archival Collection
Jean Rambo oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Jean Rambo conducted by Mary Fitzgerald on April 29, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rambo discusses her career as a nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her initial impressions and responsibilities as a nurse in Las Vegas, as well as the construction of Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital (University Medical Center). Lastly, Rambo discusses her experiences in nursing school.
Archival Collection
Priscilla Scalley oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Priscilla Scalley conducted by Claytee D. White on June 24, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 10. Scalley discusses her experiences with the Junior League of Las Vegas (Nevada) and the West Charleston community activities. She also talks about the beauty of the West Charleston houses and her experiences as a travel agent.
Archival Collection
Dal Peterson oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Dal Peterson conducted by Daion Dall on February 28, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Peterson recalls the opening of Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and the significance of the Helldorado Parade. Peterson later discusses environmental and social changes throughout Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Alex Kang oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Alex Kang conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on October 4, 2022 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Kang discusses his childhood moving back and forth between Pusan, South Korea and America as his parents sought the best place to raise their children. Kang recalls the multitude of endeavors he has heavily invested in since he was young, from moving to Brazil to pursue his interests in soccer to practicing golf every single day in his youth. Kang attended San Diego State University on a scholarship to play golf and majored in math. He got involved in a party bus business, honed his golf skills, and decided to learn how to count cards at the casino. Kang moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2013. Throughout the rest of the interview, Kang discusses how he organizes extravagant events, including an event hosting the popular K-Pop group BTS in Las Vegas, his golfing career, and enjoying his life surrounded by his family.
Archival Collection
Saul Willis oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Saul Willis conducted by Claytee D. White on January 14, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Willis discusses his personal history and moving from Sondheimer, Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. He talks about living in West Las Vegas, nightlife entertainment in the area, and community leaders at the time. He then recalls the increase of drug use in the Westside, being incarcerated for a year, and starting an automobile mechanic business. Lastly, Willis discusses his experience with the Las Vegas court system and the continued development of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Elmer H. Nighswonger oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Elmer H. Nighswonger conducted by Larry Davis on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nighswonger discusses the history of the Las Vegas Fire Department and describes his experiences as a firefighter. Nighswonger then discusses the El Rancho Casino fire, and the effect that it had on Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Eunice Claxton oral history interview
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Eunice Claxton oral history interview conducted by Claytee White on June 4, 5, and 10, 2015 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Claxton discusses living in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, attending the Westside School, working as shield in El Morocco nightclub, and memories of Jackson Street life.
Archival Collection
George Pollak oral history interview
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Oral history interview with George Pollak conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on May, 25, 2010 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Pollak discusses breaking into the music industry and attending accounting school and working as an accountant while still performing in clubs. He also discusses playing with his band at Caesars Palace Hotel and the Tropicana Hotel, African-Americans in the music industry, and drug use among musicians. Pollak then discusses how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed, in terms of the entertainment industry.
Archival Collection