Oral history interviews with Olmedo Hoyos conducted by Marcela Rodriguez-Campo on October 29, 2018 and November 9, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Hoyos talks about his childhood, family, and work life in Bogota, Colombia. He talks about his struggles as a young child, his community, and poverty. He talks about Colombian culture and traditions and how he included that in his restaurants. Hoyos then explains the problems and corruption that was happening in Colombia and the Revolutionary Movement of Laborers (MOIR). He immigrated to the United States twice and spoke about his journey, the discrimination between ethnicities, and difference in treatment of Mexicans and Colombians in jail. He recounted his process of getting a permit, residence, and citizenry. He explains why he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000 and his past jobs. He describes the process of opening up a restaurant, making it the first Colombian restaurant in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William W. Morris conducted by Sam King on February 22, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Morris discusses University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) athletics department. Morris describes UNLV Basketball during the late 1970s and recalls the coaches of the team from 1958 to 1973. Morris then discusses the developments of UNLV Basketball at the time and their progress throughout the years. Later, Morris describes plans to begin construction of the Thomas and Mack Center and gives details of how funds were raised to construct the facility. Morris then talks about the integration of women sports to the athletics department and the success of women sports teams. Lastly, Morris provides his opinions on why Las Vegas, Nevada shouldn’t have a professional sports team.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christine Barrett conducted by Claytee D. White on March 19, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Christine Barrett talks of her educational background and previous employment history that led her from California to Massachusetts, Virginia, and California again before her final move to Las Vegas. She has worked in management positions related to Las Vegas Valley water use for 38 years, and in the past decade has begun working for the Clark County School District in various professional capacities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with F. Lorin Ronnow conducted by Mindy Braver on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ronnow discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada after being hired by the Union Pacific Railroad to play for their baseball team in 1928. Ronnow discusses being a hoisting engineer during the construction of the Hoover Dam, the economic benefit of the dam during the Great Depression, and his own business ventures in Las Vegas. Ronnow describes his career in banking, how Las Vegas has changed, and prominent celebrities coming to Nevada to divorce. Ronnow also discusses occupational discrimination against African Americans and women.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sylvia Alvarado conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez and Monserrath Hernández on April 12, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Alvarado discusses her early life in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about attending College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), studying journalism and media, and her internship with Lotus Broadcasting. Alvarado describes hosting a one-hour show on the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Early conducted by Dale Forshee on February 26, 1979 and February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Early talks about some of the first businesses in Las Vegas, Nevada, the initial development of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the early nightclubs and casinos in the city. Early also discusses her work in establishing a school for disabled children.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dave Pugsley conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 21, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Pugsley discusses his early life in Salt Lake City, Utah and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. He talks about his father’s employment with Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) and the Nevada Test Site. Pugsley recalls his initial interest in architecture, drawing a construction document for the Home Builders Association while in high school, and attending the University of Utah for a degree in architecture. Pugsley then talks about building planning for schools in Clark County, the process of designing a school, and the challenges that arise. Lastly, Pugsley discusses building planning for Lied Library and the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carol Leavitt conducted by Nathan Miller on October 28, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Leavitt reflects upon her 35-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1960s to the 2000s. She discusses her experiences working at several middle and high schools, though she highlights her experience as dean of Valley High School in the 1970s, and as principal when she returned in the 1990s. She discusses changes that she witnessed within the school, as well as the school district in general such as student expectations, violence, and standardized testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arlen Simonson conducted by Marc Rogers on April 05, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Simonson reflects upon his 10 years of experience as principal at Indian Springs School in Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1980s to the 1990s. He discusses his working relationship with students and teachers as the school’s only administrator. He also discusses the school’s relationship with the local United States Air Force base and the Thunderbirds.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Pocock conducted by Jeffrey J. Wild on March 08, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pocock describes his history as an Irish immigrant, his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950, and life in the city during the 1950s. He discusses housing availability in Las Vegas and the development of the city, including the construction of casinos which he claims encouraged the growth of Las Vegas. He talks about working in a casino that eventually became the Sands Hotel and Casino, organized crime in Las Vegas, and the future of the city. Pocock concludes by discussing how Las Vegas and the quality of its customer service in casinos has changed, his recreational activities, and nuclear weapons testing.
Archival Collection