Oral history interview with Sherrill L. Ware conducted by Lawrence R. Gross on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ware begins by discussing his service in the United States Navy stationed at Lake Mead before working as a gun manufacturer in Henderson, Nevada. He describes his experience with firearms, including participating in shooting competitions and hunting. Ware talks about life in Las Vegas, Nevada, how the city changed over time, and his career as an operating engineer. Ware also talks about labor unions and the difficulties they face from the companies they worked within, as well as mining in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Andrea Gardea conducted by Barbara Tabach on June 26, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Gardea starts talking about her early life, family, and family history. She explains why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002 and why she chose to attend University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After, Gardea describes what happened before and during the Route 91 Harvest festival, what she experienced during the shooting, and her journey in escaping the scene. She talks about the aftermath of the shooting, the trauma and PTSD experienced, and her healing process. Gardea also talks about the making of Engelland’s Vegas Born Heroes Foundation in 2018, what they do, and what they represent. Lastly, she talks about her opinions on gun control and her viewpoint on making peace.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lois Sagel by Jeff Van Ee on April 4, 2009 for the Voices for Nevada's Environment Oral History Project. In this interview, Sagel describes how her upbringing in Montana and Big Bear, California gave her a deep appreciation for nature and wilderness. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada as a young wife and mother in 1958, how families would take their children to watch the above-ground nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site, and how the rapid growth and enroaching development in the city was not matched by planned infrastructure improvements. She explains how her desire to protect Nevada's environment increased as she saw developers moving toward the mountains surrounding Las Vegas, how this pushed her into the environmental justice movement, and her long association with the Soroptimists organization.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christian Chan conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Jerwin Tiu, and Stefani Evans on May 06, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Chan begins by describing her childhood in Hong Kong and later moving to San Francisco, California with her family, then to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965. She recalls attending Sunrise Acres and Roy Martin Middle School before graduating from Valley High School as valedictorian. In college, Chan attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and graduated with a degree in engineering. After college, she found work in the Las Vegas Valley Water District and became the first woman engineer. During her five years there, she excountered subtle sexism for the first time. Chan continues the interview by describing her work while she lived in California, as well as her years internationally living in the Philippines as well as Ecuador. Throughout the interview, Chan touches on topics ranging from identity, to her impressions of the different generations, discrimination, and the growth of Las Vegas.
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Oral history interview with Hermina Washington conducted by B. Leon Green on March 02, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Washington discusses her career with the State of Nevada, working under different governors, and raising her three sons with her high school sweetheart. Washington also discusses her various residences on the Westside over the years, her role of church growing up, and changes of Las Vegas, Nevada as a city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William G. Flangas conducted by David Emerson on September 27, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview William Flangas speaks about working for Reynolds Electric/Engineering Company, being appointed to the State Public Works Board, and being an intermediary for communication between the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Reynolds Electric/Engineering Company, and the State Public Works Board.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pearl Hughes conducted by Katherine D. Beal on February 11, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Hughes discusses her family's early arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada after moving from Salinas, California. Her family then bought and operated a motel in North Las Vegas, Nevada between the late 1940s to 1950. Hughes also discusses the growth of the hotel and casino industry, city urban development, community interactions, Las Vegas, Nevada celebrities, atomic testing, and President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
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Oral history interview with Carol Leavitt conducted by Nathan Miller on October 28, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Leavitt reflects upon her 35-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1960s to the 2000s. She discusses her experiences working at several middle and high schools, though she highlights her experience as dean of Valley High School in the 1970s, and as principal when she returned in the 1990s. She discusses changes that she witnessed within the school, as well as the school district in general such as student expectations, violence, and standardized testing.
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Oral history interview with Nel Downing conducted by Scottie Rector in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Downing first talks about the first properties in the Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada area before talking about the forms of transportation available in Las Vegas. She also talks about her work with the Clark County Housing Authority, the development of Henderson, some of the early churches, and the beginnings of gambling in Henderson. She then discusses gambling, life in Nevada, the Helldorado parade, and inflation over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ted Monson conducted by Rocky Fagundes on October 04, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Monson discusses building the first house in North Las Vegas, Nevada with his family including how they transported materials needed to build the house. He also describes Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), specifically the attention it brought to the area. Later, Monson discusses Block 16 and the development of the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection