Oral history interview with Joe Cortez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 29, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cortez discusses his early life in New York City, New York and growing up in the Spanish Harlem. He talks about Puerto Rican traditions he participated in, his early interest in boxing, competing in the Golden Glove tournaments, and becoming a boxing referee. Cortez recalls some of the biggest fights he refereed, and being inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011. Lastly, Cortez discusses the boxing rivalry between Mexican and Puerto Rican boxers, and the future of boxing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stella Iaconis conducted by Gary Gione on February 26, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Iaconis talks about seeing the above-ground atomic tests in Southern Nevada from Los Angeles, California and the drastic population growth that occurred after the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary B. Cooke conducted by Gigi Arino on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview Mary B. Cooke discusses previous jobs, personal family history, education, and the growth and development of the city. She also expresses her opinions on the topic of welfare, healthcare and the condition of the hospitals in Las Vegas. Digital audio and transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hubert Sampley conducted by Karen Franke on February 24, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sampley discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950. Sampley details his career at an oil refinery, farm, as well as his career in the U.S. Air Force. Sampley also describes the gaming industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frederica Lionel conducted by Gina Ballestrasse on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lionel moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in May 1954 to divorce her husband and marry her attorney. She discusses her local neighborhood, the social clubs she was associated with, and the cost of living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlie Lombardo conducted by David G. Schwartz on June 28, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Lombardo discusses working with coin wrapping machines, the 1980 MGM Grand fire, and learning the operational and technical aspects of slot machines. Lombardo also speaks about what he believes makes both good and bad slot managers, slot floors, and new slot machines. He then describes some of the changes in slots and slot management over the years, including both the Megabucks and Pot of Gold slot jackpots.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carole Rae conducted by Claytee D. White on March 6, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview, Rae mainly discusses her accomplishment of founding the dance department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). She begins the interview by discussing her earlier years, and mentions that one of her main hobbies was sewing and not dancing. She also states that she was not an art major during her undergraduate years and was surprised when dance eventually became her career. Rae explains how she became a dance instructor and describes her specializations in different forms of dance, such as Spanish dance and ballet.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rory Reid conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on July 13, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Reid recalls growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada as a Mormon, and his legal and political careers in the Nevada Democratic Party.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Zelvin D. Lowman conducted by Kevin A. Hedden on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lowman discusses the evolution of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Southern Nevada and his experiences working for Nevada Power. Lowman also discusses the challenges Nevada Power faced in keeping up with the growing energy demands of a rapidly expanding population. Finally, Lowman talks about working in the Nevada state legislature.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rose Lawson conducted by Helen Littleton and Connie Degernes on July 26, 1974 for the Boulder City Oral History Project. In this interview, Lawson discusses living in Boulder City, Nevada during the construction of the Boulder Dam. She remembers the houses built by Six Companies, Inc., the first churches built in Boulder City, and the increase in population in the early 1940s.
Archival Collection