Oral history interview with Dr. John P. Watkins conducted by Claytee D. White on April 29, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Dr. Watkins talks about his schooling, his medical career, and medicine and medical practitioners in Las Vegas, Nevada from the mid-1950s. He recalls how he met his wife, Frances (née) O’Rourke, and the Las Vegas places he, Frances, and their sons John and Brian lived. In particular, he describes their Desert Inn Country Club neighbors and neighborhood, where he and his family lived for fourteen years. He then discusses Las Vegas as a gateway to outdoor activities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Glenn Richardson conducted by Chuck Williams on June 01, 2013 for the Friends of Red Rock Canyon in Nevada Oral History Project. Richardson begins the interview by talking about his family life and his time at Oliver Ranch near Blue Diamond, Nevada. He discusses the history and the structures that were built on the property. Richardson also briefly speaks about Blue Diamond. He explains what amenities Oliver Ranch and Bar Nothing Ranch had and how they worked. Lastly, he talks about other employees that had worked at Bar Nothing Ranch.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jacqueline MacFarlane conducted by Claytee D. White on February 04, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Jacqueline MacFarlane discusses her early childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada, her move to rural Nevada because of the Great Depression, her move back to Las Vegas, and meeting her husband David MacFarlane, an Air Force Cadet, at the Nellis Air force Base. She then discusses family life, Las Vegas in the 1950s and 1960s, and the various jobs she held on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas A. Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 02, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thomas discusses his family background and upbringing in banking. He talks about his father, Edward Parry Thomas, his father's involvement with financing casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s, and the formation of the Thomas & Mack Company in 1992. Thomas remembers the company’s first projects in Las Vegas, construction of the Thomas & Mack Center, and developing the Las Vegas Digital Exchange Campus. Later, Thomas remembers his father’s involvement with the development of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and the company's help financing the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. Lastly, Thomas discusses his partnership with Rob Roy of Switch data centers, and the future of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jane Overy conducted by Claytee D. White on August 17 and December 20, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Overy discusses her museum work, early life, and many civic projects she has participated in over the years. Overy grew up in Kansas, where she spent time playing pool (billards) and spending time outdoors. After high school, she joined the United States Air Force and served in Alaska where there were two women, each with a private guard. Additionally, she worked as a newspaper reporter and as an entertainer who sang around the world. Overy served in the military for four years. In 1981, she moved to Nevada and desert climate for the improvement of her overall health. Over the years, her work and civic projects connected her with Senator Harry Reid, the Walking Box Ranch, the Searchlight Nugget Casino, and many other experiences.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roy D. Baker conducted by Dennis McBride February 08, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Baker discusses Fred Schoonmaker, a Reno, Nevada gay activist and his husband, Alfred Parkinson. Baker details their efforts to create Stonewall Park, a town for LGBTQ members in Nevada that was never realized. Schoonmaker attempted to establish Stonewall Park three times in three different locations: Silver Springs, Nevada; Rhyolite, Nevada; and Thunder Mountain, Nevada. Baker talks about his personal relationship with Schoonmaker, his opinion on Stonewall Park, and legal issues that Schoonmaker faced during the development of the town. Baker describes opposition from local residents against Stonewall Park and Schoonmaker's health after being diagnosed with HIV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Wilhelm conducted by Claytee D. White on August 12 and 27, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview John Wilhelm discusses how he became a community organizer after college, the many social problems faced in the hospitality industry, and the issues faced in the unions. He also discusses negotiations he made with powerful Las Vegas, Nevada casino owners, contributions by union leaders, and his work after he stepped down from being president of UNITE HERE (Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union).
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Keith Boman conducted by Claytee D. White on June 24, 2019 and July 23, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Bowman discusses his upbringing Boulder City, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. Boman remembers his career in medicine, and his early interest in the arts. In the second interview, Boman talks about his involvement with the founding of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, working with Don Snyder and with Fred Smith, and serving on the board of the Reynolds Foundation. Lastly, Boman discusses his role with the Super Summer Theatre and the Animal Foundation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roy Student conducted by Claytee D. White on July 6, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Roy Student discusses his career as a gaming and hospitality executive in Las Vegas, his work as a consultant and speaker for the international casino and gaming industry, and his past experiences working in Las Vegas casinos.
Subjects discussed include: Control Credit; Todd Early; Cohen; Howard Hughes; Dunes Hotel and Casino; Silver Slipper Gambling Hall and Saloon; General Instruments; junkets
Archival Collection