Oral history interview with Hank Gordon conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 26, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gordon discusses the first shopping center that he built in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1988. He also talks about the issues with building commercial and retail in Las Vegas. He then talks about his term on the Las Vegas City Planning Commission.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ellis LeFevre conducted by A. D. Hopkins on March 01, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, LeFevre discusses his early life in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as his experiences with bootlegging during Prohibition Era, and his encounters with local law enforcement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Gilbert conducted by Ruth Guidi on February 10, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gilbert first talks about his education in Las Vegas, Nevada, life during World War II, the shopping facilities, casinos, churches in Las Vegas, and the Helldorado parades.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vicki Richardson conducted by Claytee D. White on January 29, 2003 and August 19, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Richardson discusses teaching art in the Clark County School district and owning businesses, including the Left of Center Art Gallery in North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Pomeroy conducted by Jackie Ogden on March 23, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pomeroy discusses her personal history, education in Las Vegas, Nevada, and labor unions. She then describes Nevada politics, specifically being active with political campaigns. Later, Pomeroy discusses gambling and its significance to the Las Vegas economy, along with the consequences that come with gambling. Lastly, Pomeroy recalls social life, recreational activities, and her employment in the hospitality industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with James Dean Leavitt conducted by Claytee D. White on September 27 and October 4, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Leavitt recalls his role in establishing a medical school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), now known as Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine. Leavitt was elected to the Board of Regents in 2004 while Jim Rogers was interim Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), and he suggested the creation of an ad hoc committee Health Science Center Committee. In 2009, Leavitt became Chairman of the Board of Regents, Dan Klaich became Chancellor, and in the following year, Dr. Mark Doubrava joined the board. In May 2014, the planning dean was hired, Dr. Barbara Atkinson, and the UNLV School of Medicine was officially established on August 22, 2014.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with K. Oscar Knudson conducted by Dorothy O'Hara on an unknown date in 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Knudson discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls positive economic changes that Southern Nevada had as a result of tourism.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Midge Innis conducted by James Thomas Griffin on May 8, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss her occupational history as well as how she met her husband. Innis discusses the changes inside casinos and gambling. The interview concludes with Innis’ thoughts on environmental and social changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Floyd Jenne conducted by Gordon Brusso on April 04, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mr. Jenne discusses living and working in McGill, Nevada in the 1920’s and 1930’s. He offers insight into the school system in McGill, as well. He also speaks about working in Boulder City, Nevada as a police officer with the Bureau of Reclamation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Greta Peay conducted by Kali Woods on November 11, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Peay, a school administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) discusses Las Vegas education experiences in Nevada that are relevant to racial inequities across the country. Peay also comments on studies that show Nevada schools at the bottom of national rankings when comparing Black graduation rates, the school-to-prison pipeline, and low enrollment in college-prep courses for Black high-school students.
Archival Collection