Oral history interview with Everlena Brown conducted by Claytee D. White on June 15, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brown discusses her upbringing in Moro, Arkansas and moving to Little Rock, Arkansas. She talks about the Little Rock Nine students and her experience attending a segregated school for African Americans. Brown recalls attending Clark County Community College (now College of Southern Nevada) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), becoming a nurse, and the process of applying for nursing positions. Later, Brown discusses living in the Westside, entertainment on Jackson Street, and participating in church activities. Lastly, Brown describes changes in the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lee Washington conducted by Aleya Ford Wheaton on November 30, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Washington discusses his personal history, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963, and his initial reactions to the city. He talks about his employment at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino as well as joining the Culinary Workers Union in 1974. Washington then describes church activity that he and his family were involved in at Most High Church and his church's significance to the West Las Vegas community. Lastly, he talks about the development and growth of businesses on the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Albert Schouten conducted by Roger DeSart on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schouten discusses his family background in Las Vegas, Nevada dating back to 1924 and recalls growing up in Las Vegas. Schouten then describes the changes that the city went through and growth of Las Vegas at large. Later in the interview, Schouten discusses the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the opening of Boulder (Hoover) Dam with President Roosevelt, the increase in number of schools, and the construction of Nevada Southern University (later University of Nevada, Las Vegas). Lastly, Schouten shares his thoughts on how Las Vegas lost its sense of community, and discusses the increase of crime in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Luella Knuckles conducted by Paul Gentle on February 28, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Knuckles talks about her life in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and 1960s. She specifically talks about the conditions and treatment of the African-American community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard L. Stanley conducted by Duane Reid on March 13, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Stanley begins by discussing moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1945 while enlisted in the United States Navy, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, and his history in law enforcement. Stanley talks about nuclear weapons tests, overall changes in Las Vegas, and the Old Mormon Fort. He concludes by describing the history of Nellis Air Force Base and McCarran International Airport.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marilyn Martin conducted by Irene Rostine on October 09, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN). Martin opens her interview by discussing moving to Nevada in 1963 with her husband and two small children. Martin describes her career with the Southern Nevada Telephone company as a customer service representative. Martin compares the requirements to work for the phone company in New York state with the lesser requirements of Nevada. Martin goes on to discuss her training, salary, and her overall experiences at the telephone company.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mike Hines conducted by Perry Kaufman on an unknown date in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Hines discusses his early life in Kewanna, Indiana; education, military service, and his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a city attorney. After passing the Nevada Bar Exam in 1950, Hines opened his law office located on the northeast corner Third Street and Fremont Street.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with M.J. Christensen conducted by Rick Maggot on October 23, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christensen recalls living in Las Vegas, Nevada during the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane and describes local reactions to the early aboveground atomic tests. He also discusses family, religious life, and the Mormon Church. Christensen speaks about his time as the head of the Merchant’s Bureau, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the president of the Southern Nevada Better Business Bureau. He also discusses being an assemblyman for eight years and serving for four years as a senator in the state of Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Courtney Mooney conducted by Suzanne Becker on July 30, 2007 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Mooney describes her work as the urban design coordinator for Las Vegas, Nevada. Mooney also discusses the past, present, and future of the John S. Park neighborhood.
Archival Collection
Oral history with Nathan Harper conducted by Claytee D. White on July 29, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Harper describes his childhood and growing up in Wichita, Kansas and how those early days shaped his belief system today. After discussing his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Cyprus, Harper discusses his role, beginning in 2007, as Archaeologist for the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about unearthing the history of John Howell, the first Black man in Las Vegas who claimed land near what is now Springs Preserve. He also talks about relocating railroad cottages to the Preserve, restoring, and even decorating the buildings. He talks about the history of early Las Vegas and the area's water supply throughout the interview.
Archival Collection