Oral history interviews with Sig Rogich conducted by Linda McSweeney on September 30, 2014 and November 07, 2014 and by Claytee D. White on May 24, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Rogich opens his interview by briefly discussing his Icelandic background and his family's move to Henderson, Nevada in 1954. He then discusses doing odd jobs as a child and his life as a youth in Henderson. He talks about his college education and working at the Lake Tahoe Hotel after college. Rogich then discusses getting into political campaign management, and how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed over time. In his second interview, Rogich describes his efforts to improve the community through the Academic Foundation, an organization he founded, and their various campaign initiatives including preserving Lake Tahoe and supporting Opportunity Village. In the third interview, Rogich discusses his background in politics, as well as his efforts to give back to the Las Vegas community. He has served on executive and advisory boards for Opportunity Village, Public Education Foundation, Board of Trustees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Board of Governors of Valley Health System, to name a few. He closes the interview with recalling his proudest moment in 2000 when the Sig Rogich Middle School opened in Summerlin.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Qiong X. Liu conducted by Claytee D. White on June 08, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Liu discusses her upbringing in Beijing, China and later Shanghai, China. She recalls receiving a full scholarship to attend the University of Arizona, her initial reactions to arriving to the United States, and moving to North Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999. Liu talks about the Apex Industrial Park in North Las Vegas, population growth, and the increase of homes being built in the area. She explains the importance in diversifying the North Las Vegas economy and supporting local businesses. Lastly, Liu lists financial challenges that North Las Vegas has faced and her work as City Manager for North Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charissa B. Fabian conducted by Kyle Gregory Baluyut on November 24, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
In this interview, Charissa B. Fabian discusses her upbringing in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines with her three siblings and memories shared with her grandparents and cousins. She talks about her nursing education from the University of the Philippines and her immigration via a recruitment agency to work in New York. Charissa Fabian reflects on her move to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband in 1995, the growing Filipino population in the city, and her work as a nurse. She also shares her thoughts on the immigration process, the COVID-19 pandemic, and politics.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bill Armstrong conducted by Anthony Robone on February 20, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Armstrong discusses his time bootlegging in Kentucky before arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada, his involvement with the Las Vegas dealers, and the weather as it relates to other parts of the country. He also discusses the impacts of the work of Howard Hughes on the town, the construction of Hoover Dam, the above-ground atomic testing, the growth of Las Vegas and tourism, changes in gambling habits for the next generation, and the social and recreational activities of residents.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hazel Gay conducted by Claytee D. White on December 02, 1995 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gay discusses her husband being the first African-American mortician in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as being the assistant manager at the Sands Hotel and Casino and an executive at the Union Plaza. Gay also discusses running dress shops and working as a display artist and retail clerk in other shops.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Stafford conducted by Gale Robinson on March 05, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stafford discusses her personal history and the history of Henderson, Nevada. Stafford describes living in Henderson during the 1950s and the importance of the Basic Magnesium Plant during World War II. She then talks about how Henderson has grown and the different chemical plants that opened in the town. Stafford goes on to discuss her career working for the local newspaper,
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Mulroy conducted by Claytee D. White on November 18, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Mulroy discusses her arrival in Las Vegas, Nevada as a University of Nevada, Las Vegas student. She also discusses water conservation for the Las Vegas Valley, becoming the general manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District from 1989 to 2014 and the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority from 1993 to 2014.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ann L. Stewart conducted by Mari C. Snyder on February 24, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stewart discusses her personal history and Las Vegas, Nevada history. She describes working at the Nevada Test Site, observing nuclear weapons tests, and working on the Kelso-Turner housing project. Stewart discusses her non-fiction writing and the subjects of her writing, as well as being published by local newspapers. She describes the history of higher education in Las Vegas and the struggles senior citizens face as they get older. Stewart also talks about her Methodist faith, historic structures in Las Vegas, racial segregation in the city, and the criminal activity of juveniles.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Polly F. Lilly conducted by Connie L. Patterson on March 26, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project. In this interview, Lilly discusses a range of topics, from building a Catholic church in early Las Vegas, Nevada, to the nearby nuclear weapons tests. She also describes witnessing a confrontation between Senator Joseph McCarthy and Hank Greenspun on stage at the now demolished War Memorial Building in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard A. Leigon conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 12, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Leigon discusses John S. Park Elementary School, John C. Fremont Junior High School, and Boy Scout Troop 69 at Griffith Methodist Church. Leigon also discusses his father’s, Ralph A. Leigon, contributions to Las Vegas, Nevada, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and his own lengthy career with IBEW that bridged labor management.
Archival Collection