Oral history interview with Margaret Duncan conducted by Mustafa Adamu on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Duncan discusses discrimination on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip and the first black entertainers on the Strip like Sammy Davis Jr. She also talks about the opening of the Sands Hotel, the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, Howard Hughes, atomic testing, and gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with June Eshelman conducted by Elizabeth Goodman on March 14, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Eshelman reflects upon her nearly 30-year career as a junior high school music teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1970s to the early 2000s. She discusses her early experiences as a music teacher and band director, and describes the challenges of transitioning from a teacher to a dean, and eventually principal. She also discusses her experience as a principal working at Gilbert Magnet School, and the different expectations that principals face when working with magnet programs.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Catherine Gullo (C.G.) Bellver conducted by Caryll Batt Dziedziak on November 13, 1995, November 20, 1995, and December 04, 1995 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Bellver begins her interviews by discussing gender roles within her family and extended family, and how those shaped her early life and education. Bellver then discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and her career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she began as a Spanish professor. Bellver then talks about her involvement in starting and maintaining a Women's Studies Program at the UNLV. Bellver discusses the initial steps she took to create the department, the original curriculum, and student reception of the courses. Later, Bellver talks about the successes and challenges of the Women's Studies program several years after it's establishment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Amy Ayoub conducted by Claytee D. White on September 18, 2023 and May 30, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Ayoub describes growing up in Cuba and Las Vegas, Nevada, and attending a high school in Caliente for troubled teenaged girls. When Ayoub took charge of her life in the late 1970s, she got a position at the Holiday Casino working for Claudine Williams. She recalls watching Williams work, getting to know everyone in Nevada's leadership positions, and later volunteering for numerous political campaigns. Ayoub details her various careers including the Nevada Athletic Commission, advocating for AB67, political fundraising, and eventually public speaking coach. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Woodrow Wilson conducted by Elizabeth Patrick on October 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilson discusses some roles he took on in the African American community, including president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Las Vegas, Nevada chapter. Wilson also talks about politics and the importance of the community to make changes in their living conditions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Corinne Sidney conducted by Cynthia Cicero and Dedee Nave on December 13, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Corinne Sidney shares the details of her early career, her move to Las Vegas, and her relationship with Jack Entratter. She talks about becoming a Copa Girl at the Sands Hotel and what life was like after Jack's death in 1971. Corinne shares stories of entertainers she knew, including Frank Sinatra and Antonio Morelli, but the focus of the discussion is about Jack, their "on-again-off-again" relationship, and his talent and influence in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas A. Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 02, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thomas discusses his family background and upbringing in banking. He talks about his father, Edward Parry Thomas, his father's involvement with financing casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s, and the formation of the Thomas & Mack Company in 1992. Thomas remembers the company’s first projects in Las Vegas, construction of the Thomas & Mack Center, and developing the Las Vegas Digital Exchange Campus. Later, Thomas remembers his father’s involvement with the development of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and the company's help financing the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. Lastly, Thomas discusses his partnership with Rob Roy of Switch data centers, and the future of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Monroe Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on August 15, 2000 and August 22, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Monroe Williams discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943, living in the historical Westside neighborhood, and being one of the first black fire fighters in Las Vegas. He also talks about being involved with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples (NAACP), being in the Navy for two years, and his real estate and property management companies.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nadean L. Voss conducted by Laura Bell on March 03, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Voss discusses her personal history and the history of Boulder City, Nevada. Voss describes moving to Boulder City in 1933 and what life was like in the city. She also describes the construction of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), visiting the growing Lake Mead, and how Boulder City has changed. Voss goes on to discuss her career working for the Bureau of Reclamation and desert wildlife.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Bilbray conducted by Jeff van Ee on March 26, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bilbray first outlines his life from high school, to enlistment in the Army Reserve, attending American University, and working for Nevada Senator Howard Cannon. He then speaks of the different political philosophies in Northern Nevada versus Southern Nevada, the thinking in the mining industry, Sagebrush Rebellion, federal ownership of 86% of Nevada, the doughnut hole around the valley, Bureau of Land Management, hearings on environmental matters, taxation, and grazing laws.
Archival Collection