Oral history interviews with Nancy Deaner conducted by Claytee D. White on June 05, 2018 and June 11, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Deaner talks about her upbringing in Reno, Nevada and in Las Vegas, Nevada. She remembers her father’s career in gaming, and her employment at the Mint Casino and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Later, Deaner talks about her involvement with the Shade Tree, her role as the Las Vegas Cultural Affairs Director, and public art in Las Vegas. In the second interview, Deaner discusses working with the Neon Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, and the Arts District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Al Lermusiaux conducted by Shirley Dianne Long on March 09, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lermusiaux begins by talking about his move to Las Vegas, his family and what brought him to the city. He shares many anecdotes about the construction of different iconic buildings in Las Vegas, the inner workings of the business, payments to employees and the changes in technology. Lermusiaux, in particular, talks of the telephone system in the fifties and the changes in structures and their regulations. During his interview, Lermusiaux lays out an image of old Las Vegas and Henderson, giving detailed descriptions of the layout of the city, the projects he worked on and the effects of the weather on building structures in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard E. Schroeder conducted by Richard Harrah on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schroeder discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951 to work as a carpenter for the Desert Inn. Schroeder then describes changes in Las Vegas, gambling, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, he discusses the history of some of the hotels and casinos on Fremont Street.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Susan B. Brand conducted by Judith Kelly on November 20, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Brand discusses her upbringing in South Dakota, and her attendance at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She discusses how she worked with the Clark County School District as a switchboard operator, teacher, human relations consultant, assistant principal at Rancho High School, and principal at multiple elementary schools. She discusses her personal philosophy of educational administration, her job duties as assistant principal and principal, and offers suggestions on how to be a successful principal. She also discusses her integration efforts that promoted diversity in the classroom.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Kopczak conducted by Claytee D. White on September 04, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kopczak begins the interview by discussing his family history and personal history in the United States Air Force before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife in the 1980s. He then describes his career working for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a storekeeper for Lied Library, explaining his job duties and how the university has changed since he began working there. Lastly, Kopczak also talks about various library employees and administrators he has worked with, and life in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Juanita Gusewelle conducted by Nita Kreuzer on March 06, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gusewelle discusses life during World War I and II, the effects of the Great Depression, Nellis Air Force Base, Helldorado Days, and political changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christy McGirl conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 21, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Christy McGirl discusses attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada with a few friends and leaving shortly before the mass shooting had occurred. She talks about how she found out about the tragedy and how her friends who were there during the shooting have been affected. McGirl also discusses the reaction of people to the traumatic event on social media and how it was used to offer support.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Elton Garrett conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on December 05, 1980 and December 06, 1980 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In the first interview, Garrett discusses his career in journalism, education, and business. He talks about Boulder City, Nevada in the early 1900s, the Boulder Canyon Project Act (1928), and becoming a writing for the
Archival Collection
Oral history with Nathan Harper conducted by Claytee D. White on July 29, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Harper describes his childhood and growing up in Wichita, Kansas and how those early days shaped his belief system today. After discussing his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Cyprus, Harper discusses his role, beginning in 2007, as Archaeologist for the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about unearthing the history of John Howell, the first Black man in Las Vegas who claimed land near what is now Springs Preserve. He also talks about relocating railroad cottages to the Preserve, restoring, and even decorating the buildings. He talks about the history of early Las Vegas and the area's water supply throughout the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Eva Futch conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2010 and November 10, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Futch begins by discussing her personal history in Sweden, describing her early life, education, and what life was like in Sweden. She continues by describing her involvement in the boxing industry through her husband, Eddie Futch, who was a prominent boxing trainer. Futch provides insight into various aspects of boxing, how her husband trained fighters, and provides details on how the industry operates and the athletes she met. Futch describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995 and the boxing events she was involved with in the city. She also goes through a series of photographs and memorabilia of her husband and explains their history and significance.
Archival Collection