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Mary M. Gafford oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Mary M. Gafford conducted by Claytee D. White on September 24, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Mary Gafford discusses her 30 year teaching career for the Clark County School District (CCSD) and her community service projects working with organizations such as the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Mayflower Society, the Nevada Statehood Sesquicentennial, and the Nevada Women's History Project.
Archival Collection
Juanita Kilburg oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Juanita Kilburg conducted by Vicente Camacho on March 07, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kilburg discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, McCarran International Airport, Nellis Air Force Base, living in Las Vegas, Nevada during the Great Depression, and casinos. The interview concludes with a discussion on her work with the American Legion service organization.
Archival Collection
Al Lermusiaux oral history interview
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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
Byron Thornton oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Byron Thornton conducted by Kay Harris on October 27, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thornton discusses his personal history and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931. Thornton then recalls working for the Las Vegas Gas Company and starting his own concrete business. Lastly, Thornton describes installing petroleum gas tanks and pipes inside of homes used for testing atomic bombs at the Nevada Test Site and recalls the destruction caused by the explosions.
Archival Collection
Andrew Brewer oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Andrew Brewer conducted by Claytee D. White on July 1, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Brewer's interview starts with him discussing tenure as National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President beginning in January 2008. He also gives details about the fund raisers that allowed the NAACP to benefit students with grants, support voter outreach and a prison ministry, and provide guidance for those suffering discrimination.
Archival Collection
Norman Christiansen oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Norman Christiansen conducted by James Courtney on November 28, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christiansen describes his family, and background before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956 from Montana. Christiansen then talks about working at the Nevada Test Site and about his career as a teacher. He speaks about the various changes he has noticed over the years in Las Vegas, including those in climate, pollution, economy, occupation, and standard of living.
Archival Collection
Cindy Funkhouser oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Cindy Funkhouser conducted by Claytee White on January 14, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Funkhouser discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980 and working as a cocktail waitress and a bartender at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino. She then discusses owning an antique shop and being one of the forces behind First Friday and the Las Vegas art movement that is rooted in the John S. Park Neighborhood's sense of community.
Archival Collection
Edward C. Perkins oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Edward C. Perkins conducted by Judith Plaster on November 03, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perkins discusses his personal history after moving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1942 following his employment by the United States Bureau of Mines. Perkins discusses the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada and magnesium's uses during World War II, gold mines in California and Nevada, and other mining operations throughout the state of Nevada. Perkins also discusses his career with the United States Bureau of Mines and life in Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Albert (Bert) Hood oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Albert Hood conducted by Dennis McBride on June 16, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In this interview Bert Hood discusses his early life, getting married to a woman, joining the army, discovering his sexuality, and the various loves of his life. He also talks about coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962, working at the Sands Hotel as a bartender, serving The Rat Pack, who tipped him generously, cruising at Squires Park, local gay landmarks, and the first drag shows in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection