Oral history interview with Muriel Parks conducted by Judy Drappo on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parks discusses her personal history and the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Parks discusses her career working at UNLV as the Director of Admissions and Records, and how the university has changed over time. Parks also discusses the career of Maude Frazier and their personal relationship.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Welles conducted by Patrick Carlton on March 27, 2002 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Welles first relates his family background and the circumstances that led to the family settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s. He relates numerous anecdotes about growing up and attending school, and then explains how a back problem ended his chances for a career in the Navy and led him to consider less physically demanding fields. He took jobs surveying and drafting, which led to his decision to study architectural engineering, taking his degree at the University of Oklahoma. Meeting and marrying while he was in Oklahoma, the couple returned to Las Vegas, where he took multiple jobs at different architectural and engineering firms, gaining experience toward licensure as an architect. By the early 1970s, he had established his own firm with a partner, gaining a state contract to build elementary schools. Welles then speaks at length about partnering with the Daly Group to design and build the UNLV Lied Library and ends the interview with another extended discussion of his long-time involvement in the Rotary Club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. John P. Watkins conducted by Claytee D. White on April 29, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Dr. Watkins talks about his schooling, his medical career, and medicine and medical practitioners in Las Vegas, Nevada from the mid-1950s. He recalls how he met his wife, Frances (née) O’Rourke, and the Las Vegas places he, Frances, and their sons John and Brian lived. In particular, he describes their Desert Inn Country Club neighbors and neighborhood, where he and his family lived for fourteen years. He then discusses Las Vegas as a gateway to outdoor activities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Max Velasquez conducted by Janice F. Hurtubise on March 08, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Velasquez discusses his personal history as a construction worker in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes the construction projects he worked on and the differences between 1950s construction and construction at the current time. Velasquez goes on to discuss the government regulations workers had to follow, how water pipelines were laid, and the types of equipment used in construction. Lastly, Velasquez talks about the bidding process for contractors and environmental changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Foley conducted by Irene Rostine on May 11, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Foley discusses how he and his siblings created a law dynasty in Las Vegas, Nevada as attorneys. He also discusses his time as a Nevada State senator.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charley Schneider conducted by Sherryl Weber on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schneider discusses his personal history and growing up in Boulder City, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. He then describes recreational activities, education, and recalls the population growth of both cities. Lastly, Schneider goes on to discuss his employment at Farmers Insurance Company.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steve Johnson conducted by Fred Reagan on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Johnson discusses his exposure to African American racial discrimination and segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s to the 1970s. He discusses these experiences in markets, theaters, casinos, employment, and in common social interactions. Johnson also discusses the slow progression of social acceptance to racial integration and African Americans entering professional fields.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosina Goodwin conducted by Bruce Eubank on March 15, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Goodwin first talks about her family background before discussing the Las Vegas Strip, the Stewart Ranch, and Twin Lakes. She also talks about schools, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, the atomic testing, and her work as a telephone operator. The latter part of the interview includes discussion on changes in Las Vegas, the Helldorado Parade, and changes in weather.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Tamara Pickett conducted by Dennis McBride on November 01, 2002 and November 08, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Pickett discusses her early life and the traumatizing experiences that occurred during her childhood. Pickett remembers serving in the United States Army, beginning her transition to Tamara, and completing a sexual reassignment surgery in 1999. Later, Pickett talks about her activism work in Las Vegas, Nevada, campaigning for improved health care for transgender veterans, and her involvement with the transgender community in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Martin conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 13, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Martin discusses his early life in Montana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. He recalls his initial interests in carpentry, his employment at the Nevada Test Site, and co-founding his business, Martin-Harris Construction. Martin describes building custom homes, cooperating with architectural firms on a project, and the relationship built between building owners and the construction company. Later, Martin discusses the innovation of technology and its use on the construction site. Lastly, Martin talks about the differences in working for corporations and private owners.
Archival Collection