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Displaying results 1951 - 1960 of 633966

Matt Gregory oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00737

Abstract

Oral history interview with Matt Gregory conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 07, 1996 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Gregory discusses his early life and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. He remembers working in public relations for the Showboat Hotel and Casino and becoming a personal manager, agent and producer. Gregory talks about representing lounge acts, recruiting young artists, and producing large shows in smaller venues. Lastly, Gregory discusses producing a fashion show for the Lion's Club Convention held in Las Vegas and producing the network television game show, Las Vegas Gambit.

Archival Collection

Sylvester Collier oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03183

Abstract

Oral history interview with Sylvester Collier conducted by Claytee D. White on May 17, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Collier discusses his early life in Dallas, Texas. He talks about his interest in art, joining the United States Air Force in 1951, and being sent to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. Collier recalls attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), earning a master’s degree in education, and teaching art classes in the Clark County School District (CCSD). Later, Collier discusses starting the Left of Center Art Gallery, and describes some of his art pieces. Lastly, Collier talks about his experience as an African American artist.

Archival Collection

Loretta K. Wait oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01891

Abstract

Oral history interview with Loretta K. Wait conducted by Brian Nicoll on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wait discusses her personal history and the life of her father, Oscar G. Logan. Wait begins by describing her father's move to Nevada after serving in the military in the early twentieth century, Logan meeting his wife in Tonopah, Nevada, and how he worked at the ammunition storage depot in Hawthorne, Nevada as a carpenter. She then describes his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada and his carpentry work on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Wait continues, listing her father's business partnerships and other construction projects he was involved in. She concludes by talking about life in Las Vegas, her education, working at the Nevada Test Site, and observing an unidentified flying object.

Archival Collection

Walter Weiss oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01939

Abstract

Oral history interview with Walter Weiss conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Walter Weiss discusses how Judaism and boxing kept him out of trouble in his youth. Weiss talks about his boxing training, becoming a runner for a bookmaker, and coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s to be a bookmaker for the Stardust Hotel, and working the slot machine floor. He also talks about having several different jobs in various casinos, and discusses different people involved in the gaming industry in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Larry Cooper oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03404

Abstract

Oral history interview with Larry Cooper conducted by Claytee D. White on March 05, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Cooper discusses his early life in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside. He talks about his educational experiences in Las Vegas, attending the Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College (now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), and teaching mathematics. Cooper recalls his employment at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, becoming Vice President of Emerging Markets, and relocating around the United States for work. He remembers moving back to Las Vegas in the mid-2000s, his friendship with civil rights leader Jimmy Gay, and the contributions Gay made for the African American community. Cooper describes Westside businesses, and casinos on Jackson Street. Lastly, Cooper discusses the future of the Westside.

Archival Collection

Charlie McLean oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02134

Abstract

Oral history interview with Charlie McLean conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on December 14, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. McLean discusses making a living playing for the Ice Capades—traveling entertainment shows featuring theatrical ice skating performances—and in jazz bands after graduating from college. He also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960 and playing at hotels such as the Frontier, Desert Inn, Riviera, Sahara, and the Tropicana.

Archival Collection

Leo Dunbar oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00496

Abstract

Oral history interview with Leo Dunbar conducted by Jay Brewer on May 05, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dunbar discusses the growth of Boulder City, Nevada, the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and World War I.

Archival Collection

Treva Roles oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01590

Abstract

Oral history interview with Treva Roles conducted by Judy Harrell on February 12, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: An Oral History Project of Ward 1. Roles discusses her father buying the Fair Price Motel in Las Vegas, Nevada and moving out to Las Vegas to help her family run it. Treva also discusses her parents buying the Del Mar Motel and running the Rummel Motel with her husband.

Archival Collection

Lynnette Sawyer oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03543

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lynnette Sawyer conducted by Nathalie Martinez on January 03, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Barbara Tabach and Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez also participate in the questioning. Lynnette Sawyer identifies as a Puerto Rican woman born and raised in Spanish Harlem in New York. Her ancestry extends from Spain to Africa and has helped her identity, as she became an educator and museum curator. She describes her life in New York and her journey to Las Vegas. As the founder of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada, she wanted to create a space that would teach young Latinos about their history and heritage.

Archival Collection