Oral history interview with Woodrow Long conducted by Ana Humphrey on October 05, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Long discusses his early life in Panaca, Nevada, his mining job in Pioche, Nevada during the 1930s and 1940s, as well as his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s. Long also discusses building Boulder (Hoover) Dam power lines and constructing Las Vegas housing. Long also briefly discusses his education at the University of Nevada, Reno, his family, and his experiences with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Carol Melton conducted by Kathy Ricks on March 05, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Melton discusses early life in Henderson, Nevada and recalls the development of the United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. Melton speaks about moving to Las Vegas because of her husband’s health, her time working with attorney offices and in the Las Vegas Courthouse, and the different homes in which her family lived. Moreover, Melton talks extensively about starting the first Sunday school in North Las Vegas in a garage as well as the church she and her husband built. Melton discusses the programs and minstrels performed in the church, the crafts sold to make money for the church and the organ they purchased. Lastly, Melton talks about going to the Hoover Dam nearly every week to see new developments, her participation in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and watching the above ground atomic tests.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hattie Canty conducted by Claytee White on February 27 and June 17, 1998 for the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Hattie Canty recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1960s and working as a maid for the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino and later the Maxim Hotel and Casino. Canty discusses her tenure as the Culinary Union Local 226 President during which she faced several labor challenges and went to jail at least six times while striking. Hattie also recalls how she influenced contract negotiations for the downtown hotels, improved race relations among workers, involved more members in union operations, and implemented the Culinary Training School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vernon G. Stockall conducted by Aurora Wright on March 07, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stockall discusses arriving in Boulder City, Nevada in 1935 and describes how the Great Depression caused people to migrate westward. He then recalls working as a pipe fitter at the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and explains the type of work that he did. Lastly, Stockall discusses the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada as the population increased.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jacqueline Evans conducted by Susan Rapport on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Jacqueline Evans discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also talks about her extracurricular activities in high school, recreational activities, and other forms of entertainment. She also discusses political events in the 1960s, her husband's involvement in Native American affairs, and the flooding problem in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with H. Wayne Earl conducted by Diane Donavan on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses his early recollections of Nevada and his life after moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1940. Earl also talks about World War II, McCarran Airport, Nellis Air Force Base, North Las Vegas politics, Jaycees, and the Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Earl recalls his involvement in civic affairs, social and religious activities, including his affiliation with the Mormon Church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosemary Vassiliadis conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on April 12, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Vassiliadis discusses her career as a budget analyst in Las Vegas, Nevada and as the first female Director of Aviation at the McCarran Airport. She also discusses managing the airport in the days after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Archival Collection
Letter addresses pending federal legislation's possible influence on the water district's selling of bonds.
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Oral history interview with Bob Coffin conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 08, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Coffin discusses his early life in Anaheim, California, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951. He describes living near the Huntridge Theater, housing in that area, and working for his father’s business, Western Petroleum Distributors. Coffin talks about his initial interests in local politics, becoming a political campaign manager in the 1970s, and running for City Councilman. Lastly, Coffin discusses the construction of the Fremont Street Experience, and the issue of homelessness in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection