Oral history interview with Justin Favela conducted by Monserrath Hernández on May 16, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Favela discusses issues of colorism in the Latinx community, social hierarchies, and the term “Latinx”. He talks about his Mexican and Guatemalan roots, and being involved in the arts. Favela recalls his father’s immigration story from Mexico to the United States, growing up with parents who worked in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas, Nevada, and his early interests in podcasting. Later, Favela discusses identifying as queer, having his art displayed at exhibits, and creating new relationships through his podcasts. Lastly, Favela talks about what “Latinidad” means to him.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William W. Boyd conducted by Theresa Bradley on February 26, 1981 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. Boyd discusses his involvement in the gaming industry of Las Vegas, Nevada. Boyd talks specifically about his experiences with five-card stud poker and his introduction of poker games without dealers to the poker room. Boyd also talks about his role as poker room manager at the Golden Nugget and how he was present to open the room when the casino first opened.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Mugleston Kelly conducted by Claytee D. White on August 07, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mugleston Kelly discusses attending Las Vegas High School and being a dancer in the Rhythmettes, Las Vegas High School's female dance group. She describes Evelyn Stuckey, the coach for the group, the performances the Rhythmettes had at different venues, and life in Las Vegas during the 1950s. Mugleston Kelly also talks about owning and operating liquor stores and bars with her husband, how Las Vegas has changed, and her family history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Deverell conducted by Patrick Kiser on April 26, 1986 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. Deverell discusses the various population and climate changes that she has witnessed in Nevada, as well as major events such as the above-ground atomic testing. Deverell also mentions her occupation in the gaming industry and describes some of the changes in the industry over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sanje Sedera conducted by Kristel Peralta, Cecilia Winchell, Ayrton Yamaguchi, and Stefani Evans on April 16, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Sanje Sedera discusses growing up in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, with his family. He shares his educational history, moving from Sri Lanka to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia as a high schooler to learn English before immigrating to the United States to attend Idaho State University. Sedera discusses the political unrest and civil war that took place in Sri Lanka between the Tamil and Sinhalese people, and how he grew to appreciate political activism instilled in him by his paternal grandparents. Sedera shares his employment history working as a manager for K-Mart, an opportunity that brought him to Las Vegas, as well as his entrepreneurial pursuits of owning a mortgage business and becoming a realtor. He talks about the financial crisis of 2008 that led to losing his business, his attempts to run for public office, and how he helped to form Nevada's Asian American Democratic Caucus. Sedera concludes with a discussion of his Buddhist practice and how these philosophies have shaped his life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Grove Wilson "G.W." McMillin conducted by W.J. McMillin on February 18, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, G.W. McMillin discusses moving to Henderson, Nevada in May of 1943 to take a supervisory position at the Basic Magnesium Plant. McMillin goes on to discuss the development of Las Vegas, Nevada and Henderson. He also discusses historical events specific to Nevada and his work in law enforcement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bill Zender conducted by David G. Schwartz on May 27, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. Zender recalls his career dealing cards and working as a pit boss in Las Vegas, Nevada including time at casinos such as the El Cortez, Bally's, Desert Inn, and Aladdin. He also discusses working for the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the books he has written on how to deter cheating at card games.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Deacon conducted by Mary K. Keiser on August 24, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview James Deacon discusses interviewing with Dean Bill Carson in the summer of 1960 for a job at the University of Nevada, Southern Regional Division (currently University of Nevada, Las Vegas). He also talks about moving to Reno, Nevada with his family and teaching at the University of Nevada, Reno for two summers, then promptly returning to UNLV. Deacon then discusses how he was instrumental in organizing the Department of Environmental Studies and in helping to develop a masters and Ph.D. program in biology at UNLV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ronald (Ron) Tomlin conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Tomlin recalls growing up as child with his mother, Dorothy Dalton Tomlin, who started the Dotty Dee Dancers in 1952. Ron recalls spending much of his childhood with his grandmother while his mother toured the country with the Dotty Dee Dancers. In 1955, his father, Donald Sherwood Tomlin, opened a clothing store, Scottie's Clothing Store, in the Moulin Rouge shopping strip on the Westside of Las Vegas, where he sold the latest fashion trends to Black men. Ron traveled across country with his parents after high school, helped them run a small resort on the Russian River called the Bohemian Grove, and then began his photography career. Throughout his career as a photographer, he has photographed Mike Tyson, Naomi Campbell, and Elvis. Tomlin also talks about having a passion for dancing, like his mother.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Sarno conducted by David G. Schwartz on July 13, 2007 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. Sarno begins by discussing the Sarno family, his grandparents, their Jewish heritage, and the early life of his uncle, Jay Sarno, and his father. Sarno then describes how his uncle married a lot later than his older siblings and he was the only one who had personal hobbies such as golf. Sarno then chronicles his uncle’s role as a businessman in Las Vegas, Nevada and how he only visited Las Vegas once because his father was a gambling addict. Lastly, Sarno discusses everything he knew about his uncle’s relationship with Allen Dorfman, the Teamster’s Union, and his legal troubles with the Internal Revenue Service.
Archival Collection