On March 3, 1980, Wanda Cortés interviewed University of Nevada, Las Vegas counselor, Ann K. Johnson (born August 28th, 1954 in Garland, Arkansas) about her life in Southern Nevada. The two discuss Johnson’s educational and occupational history. The interview concludes with a discussion on the population’s rapid growth during the seventies.
On February 22, 1977, James Bonnell interviewed Gerald L. Connor (born 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts) about his experiences in Nevada and his work in education. Connor first talks about his move to Nevada while he was a member of the United States Air Force. He then discusses his education, including that at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and also describes his church membership. Connor later talks about changes in the schools and school district, the growth of gambling and properties located in Downtown Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Strip, and the early atomic tests at the Nevada Test Site. He also describes in detail his political activity and involvement with the Democratic Party, including his work with candidates for the offices of Nevada Governor and United States Senator. Towards the end of the interview, Connor talks about events such as Helldorado, the growth of the city over time, and his thoughts on the future of Las Vegas.
On March 18, 1978, Susan Scott interviewed Thalia Dondero (born 1921 in Greeley, Colorado) about her experiences in Nevada and more specifically about her work as a Clark County Commissioner. Dondero first speaks about her background and the circumstances which led her to move to Las Vegas. She also talks about her children, her work with the Parent-Teacher Association, and her service with the Nevada State Park Commission. She also mentions some of her lobbying work for the development of state parks, including a project by National Geographic in which she visited multiple parks, and she later describes the development of the Las Vegas Strip. At the end of the interview, Dondero talks about her involvement in various organizations, her consideration for running for governor, and some of the topics she handles as a commissioner for the county.
On February 29, 1980, Annie Shum interviewed Lilly Fong about her experiences as an educator and resident in Southern Nevada. Born in Superior, Arizona in 1926, Fong would eventually move to Las Vegas after marrying her husband, Wing Fong. Prior to this move, she received her education in both China and Arizona; she later completed her master’s degree in education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). In the interview, Fong talks briefly about her background and eventual move to Las Vegas. She describes how her educational career started at the historic Fifth Street School as a third grade teacher in 1950. Fong also lists several organizations of which she was a part, including the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Fong also mentioned that she and her husband opened their own Chinese restaurant, Fong’s Garden, on East Charleston Boulevard in 1955. Later in the interview, Fong describes her campaign for the Nevada State Board of Regents in 1974 where she would make several accomplishments in the development of UNLV, including the building of its Fine Arts Complex. Fong later talks about Chinese traditions in which she would take part as well as her life in China from 1930 to 1937. The interview concludes with Fong’s thoughts on the Asian Studies program at UNLV and her personal perspective on religion.
On February 7, 1976, collector, Marc Hechter interviewed Herbert and Erma Holtam in the collector’s home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the history of the early Las Vegas Valley area. The discussion includes an in-depth overview of the Helldorado Parade and Helldorado Village. The building of the hotels on the Strip, homesteading, and local housing developments, are also discussed.