Thomas discusses her family history and arriving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1930. Thomas describes housing in Boulder City and explains that people needed to build their own homes in the 1930s. She then discusses prostitution becoming illegal in Nevada, the Helldorado Parade, and the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Lastly, Thomas recalls how her musical career began and entertainment in casinos.
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Audio clip from interview with George Simmons. In this clip, Simmons talks about his work with Sproul Homes in Las Vegas and his career designing homes and structures for Test Site.
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In this interview, focused on the John S. Park neighborhood of Las Vegas, Arne Rosencrantz discusses his childhood growing up in Las Vegas. He talks about local businesses, including his father's furniture store, as well as schools and churches in the neighborhood.
Arne Rosencrantz remembers living on Beverly Way from 1954 to 1970. Like so many others from that era, he attended Fifth Street School, John S. Park Elementary School, John C. Fremont Middle School and graduated from Las Vegas High School. As a Jew, he was in a small minority, but fondly recalls growing up in the dense Mormon population of John S. Park Neighborhood. As a youngster, life in Las Vegas was filled with fun. The desert provided opportunity to hunt lizards and rabbits. Kids walked to school without concern. They played ball and found the Strip casinos welcoming to locals. He tells how the social issue of segregation of the 1960s did not affect him personally, but how local movie theatre owner Lloyd Katz fought to make his Huntridge and Fremont theatres integrated. He also reminisces about his father opening Hollywood Furniture and later Garrett's Furniture, which Arne operated until retiring in 2001. During the interview, he lists other furniture companies and the strong assortment of other retailers and restaurants that served the neighborhood.
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Color photograph of (left to right) Eugene Campbell, Jr, Deputy Fire Chief; Bertral Washington, Assistant Fire chief; David Washington, Fire Chief; Jon Stevenson, Batallion Chief. They pose near the "Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas Nevada" sign and a fire and rescue truck. Handwritten on the back in pen: "L + R Eugene Campbell, Jr, Deputy Fire Chief; Bertral Washington, Assistant Fire Chief; David L. Washington, Fire Chief; Jon Stevenson, Battalion Chief. Dave was blessed to have been able to promoted [sic] these three black chief officers during his tenure."
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Part of an interview with Eugene Buford conducted by Claytee D. White on September 12, 2006. In the clip, Buford reflects on changes in Las Vegas spurred by integration.
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