Oral history interviews with Maude Woo conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 11, 2007 and February 25, 2007 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In these interviews, Woo discusses her early childhood in Korea, taking care of her siblings, and difficult memories of war. Later, she discusses travelling to the United States and having foster parents, and going to college for nursing. She married her first husband and they had two sons, David and John. The family moved to Orange County, California where Maude raised the family and eventually started a private practice. Later, Woo divorced her first husband. She married her current husband, Leland, in 2011. She discusses her family, the importance religion has in her life, and coming to Las Vegas, Nevada to retire. Digital audio and photographs available; digital transcript draft available.
Oral history interview with Joey Trujillo conducted by David G. Schwartz on October 08, 2008 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Trujillo discusses his personal experience with Jay Sarno as his barber at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls gambling with Sarno and tells anecdotes of their friendship. Lastly, Trujillo discusses the death of Sarno in 1984.
Oral history interview with Gai Phanalasy conducted by Jerwin Tiu, Cecilia Winchell, and Stefani Evans on April 7, 2023 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Born on a Thailand refugee camp, Soukpaseut "Gai" Phanalasy describes his early upbringing in many different countries. Due to political tension, Phanalasy's family had to move from their native Laos to seek refugee in countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and eventually were granted asylum in Nashville, Tennessee in 1981. There, the Phanalasy family had to learn to assimilate to American culture, receiving aid from several religious organizations and the local Laos community. Phanalasy went on to attend Middle Tennessee State University, where he majored in mass communications and later decided to enter a broadcasting program where he interned at a radio station in Tennessee. His passion for photography began in 2007, and through a connection, he received a job offer from Fox 5 News in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since then, Gai has enjoyed a career in photography, including working as the state photographer in Carson City. After several projects, he returned to Las Vegas to work as the Multimedia Production Specialist for the City of Las Vegas where he has received many awards for his work. Gai emphasizes his love for his community, Las Vegas, and his passion of photography.
Oral history interview with Larry Corash conducted by David Schwartz on July 12, 2007 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Corash discusses his family background and involvement in the hospitality industry. He remembers his father’s hotel business, his investments in hotels with Jay Sarno, and the increase in popularity of themed hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada throughout the 1970s. Corash talks about the opening of the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, the planning for the Grandissimo, and how significant Caesars Palace was to the future of Las Vegas hotels and casinos.
Oral history interview with Harry Hall conducted by Dennis McBride on June 20, 1986 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. Hall discusses how the hope of work on the dam encouraged his move to Nevada with his mother and stepfather. He then talks at some length about living in a tent in Ragtown, the various illegal bootlegging establishments along the dirt road running between Las Vegas and Boulder City, Nevada, and working on the dam. He continues talking about working conditions, the heat, and the labor strike at the dam in August, 1931.
Oral history interview with John Scott conducted by Stephen M. Magee on April 29, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Scott discusses his personal history living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1940. He then describes life in Las Vegas and the growth in both population and infrastructure. Later, Scott discusses the Las Vegas economy, the Helldorado Parade, and describes the above ground nuclear bomb testings.
Oral history interview with Frances Faye on December 30, 1974 with an unknown interviewer for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.
In this interview, Frances Faye shares memories of performing as a cabaret singer in the 1930s. She talks about her entertaining career at several clubs in New York and various other locations including the Yacht Club, the Hickory House, Club Calet, and other venues. Faye recalls songs she wrote and performances across the United States including those in Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Las Vegas, Nevada; and various locations within California. Faye reminisces with the interviewer about people they know in show business and briefly recounts a hip injury she sustained at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, causing her to stop performing for over nine years.
Oral history interview with Gene Kilroy conducted by Claytee White on October 18, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kilroy begins by discussing being born in a mining camp and his grandmother being an important figure in his life. Throughout the interview, Kilroy discusses working at various places on the Las Vegas Strip, including the Dunes Hotel and MGM Grand and meeting many famous people. He discusses the military being an important part of his life, as well as his time playing professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Oral history interview with William Sullivan conducted by Claytee D. White on June 27, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview William Sullivan discusses being recruited to University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as director of student support services. He also discusses changes in Las Vegas, Nevada and the UNLV campus.
Oral history interview with Mary R. Stout conducted by Greg Rowland on February 20, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stout discusses her personal history and living in Boulder City, Nevada. Stout describes living in "Ragtown," a makeshift settlement for workers constructing Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) before Boulder City was established. She also describes her father's duties as a pipe fitter while working on the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and how Boulder City has changed and evolved. Stout concludes by talking about nuclear weapons tests, her careers, and gambling in Boulder City.