Oral history interview with Sarann Knight Preddy conducted by Yvonne R. Hunter on July 16, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Knight discusses her bar (The Lincoln Bar) in Hawthorne, Nevada and how she built it for the African American community because of limited access to venues due to segregation. Knight then talks about working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the influence that gambling had on the community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Myrtle Cheel conducted by an unknown interviewer on February 02, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, Mrs. Cheel discusses education in the Las Vegas, Nevada Valley. She also discusses social, economic and environmental changes, particularly the rapid transformation and growth of Las Vegas from a small town to a major metropolis.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Houghton Peterson conducted by Claytee D. White on May 20, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Peterson discusses playing the trombone in the United States Air Force jazz band, “Airmen of Note.” He also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 and playing the trombone in various shows.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steven Kalb conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 05, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kalb discusses his early life in North Hollywood, California. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953, growing up in the Twin Lakes area, and recreational activities he participated in. Kalb talks about attending Arizona State University (ASU), studying construction engineering, and the formation of his father's company, George F. Kalb Construction. Kalb describes the first construction projects the company completed, forming Kalb Construction Company, and working on standalone projects. Lastly, Kalb discusses the future of the construction industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hal G. Curtis conducted by Bill Teepe on February 24, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Curtis talks first about his work on the Union Pacific Railroad before discussing changes and development in Las Vegas, Nevada, including development on the Strip and Downtown areas. He also talks about Block 16, the El Rancho Vegas fire, social clubs, and religion.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gil Cohen conducted by Claytee D. White on August 05, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Cohen discusses growing up at the Las Vegas, Nevada Country Club, working at the Stardust Hotel and Casino, learning the casino business after college, and working at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tyrone Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on August 25, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Williams discusses arriving at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and his various jobs there. He recalls that blacks were not welcome on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip unless they were going to work in one of the hotels or casinos. Williams then describes joining the Executive Housekeepers Association. The interview concludes with a short discourse on social life and positive aspects of life in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marie Heher conducted by her daughter Sharon Heher on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Heher discusses her early life in Boulder City, Nevada and Henderson, Nevada, as well as her education in Reno, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. Heher also discusses the Helldorado parades and her experiences with the Union Pacific Train Depot in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with John Edmond conducted by Claytee D. White on February 19 and 25, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Edmond discusses his family history in Tallulah, Louisiana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada before Basic Magnesium, Inc. drew many African Americans to the region. He recalls working as a young boy at the local bowling alley and later attending college in Seattle, Washington. After college, Edmond returned to Las Vegas and became the first Black baccarat dealer at the Stardust Hotel working for Frank Rosenthal. He discusses later owning the largest shopping center in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kitty Wright conducted by Dennis McBride on January 25, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Wright discusses the life of her friend Suzanne Daly and the court cases that Daly faced. Wright recalls her memories with Daly, the court case regarding the custody of Daly's child, and her life after having a sex reassignment surgery.
Archival Collection