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 Fran Wallace conducted by Connie Hansen on September 26, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wallace discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada with her family in 1940 for work opportunities available in Las Vegas. Wallace then recalls the development of Fremont Street and its transition to gambling. Later, Wallace describes environmental changes she has noticed throughout Las Vegas, specifically changes at Lake Mead.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Frank Lamping conducted by Karen Bennett and Nancy Heavey on July 23, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Lamping reflects upon his roughly 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District. He discusses his opening of Thurman White Middle School, programs that were implemented such as computer classes, and challenges that were faced with curriculum changes and standardized programs. He also discusses his personal approach to education, and how his upbringing and experiences shaped his approach.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carl Esteban conducted by William Bailey on December 2, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Esteban recalls growing up in Salinas, California in a predominantly Asian community before relocating with family to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002. As a first generation Filipino America, Esteban's mother sacrificed her life in the Philippines to become the sole person in her family to immigrate to America. Esteban received his degree in Special Education and is currently pursuing to a master's degree in the same field. Esteban is currently a special education educator at the Yvonne Atkinson-Gates Center in North Las Vegas. Throughout the interview, Esteban discusses a wide range of topics spanning from his family migration story, his early childhood, his Filipino identity, Asian stereotypes as the model minority, and how his mentors helped shape him into the person he is today.
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 Mauricia Baca conducted by Elsa Lopez on December 16, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Baca discusses her upbringing in New York City, New York where she was raised by a Jewish mother and Mexican immigrant father. She goes on to describe the discrimination she faced as a Latina, and her education at Vassar College and the City University of New York Law School. Baca moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2006, and she talks about her work as the Executive Director of Get Outdoors Nevada and how she promotes public access and use of urban outdoor spaces, such as the Healing Garden in the Las Vegas Arts District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Francisco conducted by Joanne Goodwin on August 12, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Francisco opens her interview by discussing her early life in Arizona and California. Francisco then talks about her dance career in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting with her work at the Dunes Hotel. Francisco also discusses working for choreographer Harold Minsky. Finally, Francisco describes common dancer experiences, such as getting injured or sick.
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.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donna L. Miller conducted by Claytee D. White on July 15, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Miller begins by describing her early upbringing on her family's potato farm in Oregon before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses attending Las Vegas High School, joining the Rhythmettes, the school's female dance group, and her experiences in the Rhythmettes, including where she performed and the team's coach, Evelyn Stuckey. Miller also briefly discusses working as a secretary at the Sahara Hotel and Casino and real estate in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Luella Wardle conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on August 04, 1981 and August 05, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wardle discusses living in Tonopah, Nevada since 1907 and describes the living conditions at the time. Wardle also discusses education and the school system, recreational activities, and her employment in banking. She then describes Tonopah during World War II and explains how the army base was beneficial for businesses. Wardle goes on to explain where the families of the soldiers would stay while stationed in Tonopah. Lastly, Wardle discusses organizations she was a member of, the significance of fraternal organizations to Southern Nevada, and Tonopah during prohibition.
Archival Collection