Oral history interviews with Shirley Harlan conducted by Claytee D. White on November 17 and 18, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Harlan opens her interview by discussing her upbringing in a small town in California during the Great Depression. She then discusses career limitations for women at the time she entered college and her decision to study social studies. Harlan then recalls why she and her partner moved to Beatty, Nevada in 1968 and what the town was like at the time. Harlan then specifically discusses the local library, including what kind of services were offered, and how she collaborated with other residents to move the library from the town hall to an converted school room. Harlan describes programs offered by the library, the bookmobile, and the budget challenges the library faced, including how a reduced tax base in Beatty reduced funding. She recalls important town figures, aboveground atomic testing, and tourism. Harlan then talks about unethical hiring practices in northern Nevada governments, being deputized by a female sheriff and supporting her anti-corruption agenda. She then discusses her appointments to government commissions and different board administrations. Lastly, Harlan describes education in Beatty, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jennilee Thayer conducted by Claytee D. White on August 12, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thayer discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 when it was still a mining town. She describes early Henderson, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and recalls her father’s employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant. Lastly, Thayer discusses her employment in show production, atomic bomb testing, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Woodrow Long conducted by Ana Humphrey on October 05, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Long discusses his early life in Panaca, Nevada, his mining job in Pioche, Nevada during the 1930s and 1940s, as well as his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s. Long also discusses building Boulder (Hoover) Dam power lines and constructing Las Vegas housing. Long also briefly discusses his education at the University of Nevada, Reno, his family, and his experiences with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Perry Dickerson conducted by Bryce Gracie on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dickerson discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada from his perspective. In particular, he discusses telephone companies’ improvements, McCarren Airport growth, boat races at Lake Mead, Golden Nugget Hotel, Greyhound Depot bus station, the plane crash near Sloan Highway, Nellis Air Force Base, Lorenzi Park, Old Salt Lake Highway, Downtown Las Vegas, and Stardust Raceway.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sonny V. Mallari conducted by Chanele Mallari on November 26, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Sonny Mallari talks about his childhood in Masantol, Pampanga province, Philippines with his five siblings. He discusses his family's immigration to Salinas, California and details of his life and parents' lives in the United States. Sonny shares stories of being bullied in school and what the immigration process was like from his point of view at the age of seven. He also talks about his professional work as a cook, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada for work, and becoming a Culinary Workers Union member.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Marshall Darnell conducted by Cynthia Johnson on November 07, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Darnell reflects upon his more than 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from 1960 to 1994. Darnell describes his approach to school administration, job duties as principal, and some of the biggest challenges that he faced. He discusses school integration and efforts to promote student diversity, as well as the increasing number of women administrators within CCSD.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Michael Drakulich conducted by Jane Finfrock on May 8, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Drakulich discusses his career after graduating college and holding several teaching and coaching positions at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, including professor, golf coach, and athletic director. He also discusses the growth of the university, important figures in sports coaching at the university, and the growth of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sam S. Earl conducted by Laura Button on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses the family’s early residence in a tent and their religious participation. He also discusses welfare benefits, gambling, the first members of the police force, and the Helldorado parade. Earl then talks about his work on the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, as a building contractor, and as a truck driver.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Erbe conducted by Marcela Yepes on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Erbe discusses his educational background, his first teaching position as a fifth grade teacher, and his military experience. He also talks about church activity, politics, and social activities in Las Vegas, Nevada. Erbe also discusses his views on the educational system, his experiences as a principal, and some challenges he encountered at the administrative level.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lomie Heard conducted by Stephen M. Singer on February 09, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Heard discusses education over the span of thirty years, and includes an overview on the building of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also discusses Nellis Air Force Base, jet airplanes at Nellis, military families, and the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection