Oral history interview with Erick Spiess conducted by Gretchen Spiess on June 29, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Spiess discusses the history of the Nevada Test Site, and briefly discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history. Spiess describes his career as the technical liaison at the Nevada Test Site working for EG & G, Inc. and the research performed there, including the model town built to observe the effects of a nuclear weapon on an urban area. Spiess goes on to discuss how Las Vegas residents reacted to the testing, and how Las Vegas has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frankie Perez conducted by Elsa Lopez and Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 05th, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Perez speaks about the importance of sports, and the lack of Latinx representation in teachers during high school. Perez then discusses being placed on medical hold in the military, how his transition affected his physical tests, how the 2016 election may have impacted transgendered people in the military, and how everyday military personnel feel about transgendered people serving in the military. The interview concludes with Perez discussing the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgendered, and Queer (LGBTQ) scene in Las Vegas, Nevada and about how culture impacts which clubs members of LBGTQ community would visit.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arturo Ochoa conducted by Monserrath Hernández on April 09, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Ochoa discusses his early life in Greenfield, California and Tucson, Arizona. He talks about his experience with racial stereotypes, discrimination, and his initial interest in education. Ochoa recalls becoming an educator, teaching in a sixth grade center on the Westside of Las Vegas, and integration for Clark County School District (CCSD) schools. Ochoa remembers co-founding Foundation to Assist Young Musicians (FAYM), and launching Violins for Kids. Lastly, Ochoa discusses the challenges that special needs Latinx students face, and how special needs programs disproportionately consist of students of color.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Irma Varela conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 04, 2018 and March 05, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In these interviews, Varela talks about her upbringing in Zacatecas, Mexico, her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1989, and how religion has affected her life. She also describes her work as the Cultural Program Supervisor at Winchester Community Center, and her career in preserving Hispanic cultural traditions in Las Vegas. Varela talks about being an active leader in local Las Vegas organizations and events such as the Mexico Vivo Dancing Company, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, and the International Food and Folklife Festival.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jacqueline Locks conducted by Jennifer Schulz on May 01, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Locks reflects upon her 32-year career as a teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1970s to the 2000s. She discusses her upbringing, and how she knew since she was a child that she wanted to be an elementary school teacher. She describes the process by which she became an elementary school teacher, and eventually principal. She discusses her approach to educational leadership, and offers suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration. She also discusses the importance of working relationships between teachers and administrators, and mentorship programs to assist new teachers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elmer H. Nighswonger conducted by James F. Sullivan on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nighswonger describes joining the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department in 1946 and his career as a firefighter. Nighswonger discusses what the fire department was like during the 1940s, and how it and Las Vegas, Nevada has changed. He also talks about several fires and calls he attended, the fire engines used by the city during that time, and the limitations of those fire engines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Esther Wolverton conducted by David Haymack on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wolverton discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1927 and recalls her first impressions of the city. She also describes experiencing the first Helldorado Parade, social life in Las Vegas, and her employment as a waitress. Later, Wolverton discusses the construction and development of McCarran Airport. Lastly, she talks about population growth in Las Vegas and the significance gaming has to the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eldon E. Gearing conducted by Claytee D. White on February 07, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gearing begins by describing how he developed his skills as a sheet metal worker through apprenticeships and his time in the United States Navy during World War II as an aviation metalsmith. Gearing discusses his air conditioning business and the contracting work he did for homes and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada during the late 1950s and 1960s, including at Caesars Palace and the Tropicana. Other topics of discussion include rising drug use in the United States, his political opinions on issues such as welfare and government restrictions, and the future of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leroy Payne conducted by Claytee D. White on January 29, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Payne discusses working for Lockheed Overseas Corporation during World War II and his construction career in Las Vegas, Nevada. Payne describes traveling around England while employed by Lockheed Corporation and performing procurement duties for United States military bases. He also describes meeting and marrying his wife in Belfast, Ireland in 1943. Payne concludes by discussing their move to Las Vegas during the 1960s and his work in housing development constructing different neighborhoods and communities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Nona Carroll conducted by Claytee D. White on July 06, 2018 and July 16, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Carroll discusses her family background and early life in St. Louis, Missouri. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987, her employment with Computer Software Analyst, Inc., and working at Nellis Air Force Base. In the second interview, Carroll talks about her community involvement in Las Vegas and her membership with the Summerlin Women’s Club. Lastly, Carroll discusses the organization J.U.G.S. (Justice, Unity, Generosity, Service, Inc.) and the Girl Friends, Inc.
Archival Collection