Oral history interview with Charles Deaner conducted by Claytee D. White on April 4, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Charles Deaner discusses coming to Las Vegas, Nevada to practice law in the 1950s. He also discusses stories of his first law practice and legal case, as well as his insights and descriptions of the many changes that have occurred over the decades that he has lived and worked in the Las Vegas community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Gemma conducted by Dan Murphy on March 1, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gemma discusses employment opportunities, construction work, housing developments, and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. Gemma also recalls social and environmental changes, local recreation, sports, and the importance of gambling in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gus Mancuso conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 27, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Jazz musician Gus Mancuso (Ronald Bernard Mancuso) discusses his career playing trombone and double bass in various musical groups and serving in the Army band as a piano player. He also talks about moving to Las Vegas in 1955, playing in bands at various casinos, touring Europe with Sarah Vaughan and teaching in the music department at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Archival Collection
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
Oral history interview with Billy Christ conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on October 09, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Christ, who plays bass, discusses his career in New York City, New York and Las Vegas, Nevada as a jazz musician. Christ also talks about his childhood and growing up in Detroit, Michigan and New York City, New York.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Virginia Valentine conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 25, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Valentine discusses her early life in Florida. She recalls her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981, working in a wastewater treatment plant, and becoming Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Clark County Regional Flood Control District. Valentine then talks about attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), obtaining a master's degree in public administration, and her involvement with flash flood management in southern Nevada. Lastly, Valentine describes becoming a registered professional engineer (PE) and her work with the Nevada Resort Association (NRA).
Archival Collection
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
Oral history interview with Oneil Madden conducted by Yasmine Shahar and Taylor Burk on March 31, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Madden discusses his upbringing in Montreal, Canada. He talks about his religious family background, being involved in church activities, and his involvement with church youth programs. Madden describes food banks organized by the churches, tutoring services for children, and explains the significance of the Sabbath. Lastly, Madden discusses his role as pastor of Abundant Life Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oliver Crickman conducted by William Hawley on March 03, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Crickman discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and his gradual move from the position of cook’s helper to executive chef at the Royal Inn. Crickman goes into detail about the operation of Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas restaurants, the demographics of cooks, and how the hospitality and housing industries have changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward Gregory conducted by Jonathan R. Bellingar on March 2, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gregory discusses leaving Nevada to serve in the Army during World War II before eventually returning to Nevada in 1950. The interview concludes with a brief overview of how Nellis Air force Base has changed since the 1950s.
Archival Collection