Oral history interview with John McKay conducted by Donna Malloy on March 03, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McKay talks about his experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1950s. McKay begins by speaking about his family history, his career in the electronics and engineering field for aerospace, as well as his experiences in two wars. Moreover, McKay speaks about his hobbies of hunting and fishing and his time as a musician around Las Vegas. McKay also spends time going over how the city of Las Vegas has grown and changed, the increase in crime, and the extreme floods in the 1950s. Lastly, McKay talks about the Nuclear Test Site, how casino gaming chips were used as money around the city, how the city of Las Vegas started and the future of the valley. Digital audio and transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Beth Rosenberg conducted by Jerry Masini on November 18, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rosenberg describes coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and the desert landscape she saw when she came here. She gives an in-depth recollection of the first atomic test, and talks about the weather and the seasons in Las Vegas. Rosenberg describes several clubs and hotels around downtown and the recreation at Lake Mead and Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mabel Stone conducted by S. A. Ulsamer on August 29, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Stone begins by discussing her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and her career as a waitress in several different casinos, including the El Rancho Hotel and Casino and the Nevada Biltmore Hotel. She describes the development of the Las Vegas Strip and her interactions with Howard Hughes. Stone also discusses her recreational activities, nuclear weapons tests, and how Las Vegas has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thelma D. Oldfield conducted by Irene Rostine on February 29, 1992 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Oldfield opens her interview with a description of her work responsibilities at the Basic Magnesium Plant starting in 1943. She then discusses her employment at a chemical plant transporting chlorine. Oldfield also talks about her job responsibilities and her union participation. Oldfield's husband interjects his recollections throughout the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Maude Woo conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 11, 2007 and February 25, 2007 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In these interviews, Woo discusses her early childhood in Korea, taking care of her siblings, and difficult memories of war. Later, she discusses travelling to the United States and having foster parents, and going to college for nursing. She married her first husband and they had two sons, David and John. The family moved to Orange County, California where Maude raised the family and eventually started a private practice. Later, Woo divorced her first husband. She married her current husband, Leland, in 2011. She discusses her family, the importance religion has in her life, and coming to Las Vegas, Nevada to retire. Digital audio and photographs available; digital transcript draft available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Carlson conducted by Allen Carlson on October 11, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Joe Carlson talks about how his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1921 so that his father could work on the railroad. Joe discusses education, occupations, family life, and the social, economic and environmental changes of early Las Vegas. Joe also mentions presidential visits, the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane, early atomic tests, the old Mesquite forests, Fremont Street and the building of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
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 interviews with Julia Payne conducted by Claytee D. White on February 11, 2004 and March 07, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Payne discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. She describes discrimination, redlining on the Westside, and recalls the lack of integration at the time. Payne then discusses Jackson Street and compares it to the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Payne talks about Cove Hotel, Hank’s Place, Colony Club, and the decline in African American businesses on Jackson Street. In the second interview, Payne discusses welfare rights, changes to the Westside and growth of suburban areas. She describes her employment with the Southern Nevada Drug Abuse Council and becoming the first African American substance abuse counselor. Lastly, Payne discusses her position as Executive Director of Nevada Treatment Center.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ava Carino conducted by Isabelle Rice on November 20, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Carino recalls their experience as a Filipino American growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss working in the gaming industry, past traumatic experiences, and their family's immigration story. Please note the following disclaimer: This interview contains language or content that some may find offensive or triggering. Please contact special.collections@unlv.edu for further information.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Tyrone L. Seals conducted by Claytee D. White and Sarah Beth Hawkins on April 25, 2016 and May 16, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Seals discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside. He talks about experiencing discrimination, employment limitations, and entertainment on Jackson Street. In the second interview, Seals remembers school integration, organizations for African American women, and protests during the 1960s. Lastly, Seals discusses the significance of religion in the African American community and becoming a pastor.
Archival Collection