Oral history interview with Helen Manix conducted by Sherry O’Neil on October 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Helen Manix shares her experiences in Boulder City, Nevada as the owner of the first department store. Manix discusses the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada as gambling became legal.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hazel Geran conducted by Claytee D. White on August 30, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Geran gives insights into the black experience in Las Vegas, Nevada. Geran describes her perspective of living on the Westside and the businesses that thrived there in the past, and why she remained in west Las Vegas. She also gives a peek into her family life including Catholic schools, family outings and an insightful story regarding racism and the difficulty of getting a housing loan in the 1950s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Pavlikowski conducted by Jay Brewer in 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pavlikowski discusses his career in politics and as a district judge after his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s. Pavikowski describes his time at Nellis Air Force Base while he served in the U.S. Air Force. Finally, he talks about changes throughout Las Vegas, specifically economic, environmental, and legal changes regarding gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Jackson conducted by Su Kim Chung on February 12, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jackson discusses his career as a dancer, choreographer, costume designer, and producer of shows in Las Vegas, Nevada and around the world. Jackson describes dancing at the Desert Inn, Moulin Rouge, Tropicana, and touring with production shows. He then recalls living in Las Vegas from the 1950s through the 1970s and compares the quality of show production throughout the years. He talks about his career with the production
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bob Coffin conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 08, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Coffin discusses his early life in Anaheim, California, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951. He describes living near the Huntridge Theater, housing in that area, and working for his father’s business, Western Petroleum Distributors. Coffin talks about his initial interests in local politics, becoming a political campaign manager in the 1970s, and running for City Councilman. Lastly, Coffin discusses the construction of the Fremont Street Experience, and the issue of homelessness in Las Vegas.
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 interviews with Richard W. Bunker conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 18 2017, July 21, 2017, and September 28, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bunker discusses the history behind a wide range of events that affected the daily lives of Southern Nevadans. He talks about his role in a consolidation attempt between the Clark County and Las Vegas, Nevada governmental structures that was halted by the courts in 1975. Bunker then recalls working as a member and Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and his work with various casinos and hotels including Circus Circus, the Dunes, and the Aladdin. He discusses replacing key people at the Gaming Control Board, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Operation Yobo sting. He then speaks fondly of his longtime friends Jim Gibson, Judge Lloyd George, and Jim Joyce. Lastly, Bunker discusses water rights, supply, and management issues in Nevada as it relates to the Nevada Resort Association, Las Vegas Valley Water District, Southern Nevada Water Authority, and the Colorado River Commission.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carole Sorenson conducted by Andre Yates on November 11, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Sorenson reflects upon her career as a teacher in Burley, Idaho and eventually as a teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1950s to the 1980s. She describes her experience as an elementary school teacher, and then her subsequent positions as dean, assistant principal, and principal of junior high and high schools throughout CCSD. She discusses trends and changes that have taken place during her career, and comments on contemporary issues such as standardized testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rodel Fuentes conducted by Tracy Fuentes on December 4, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Rodel Fuentes tells stories of his upbringing in Manila, Philippines, where he was raised in a shared family home amongst his parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles. He talks about his parents' immigration to the United States and how he later joined them in Los Angeles, California where he met and married his wife. Rodel Fuentes shares the couple's decision to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, his work at Dunn Edwards paint company, and how he became a licensed general contractor and real estate agent where he now owns his own company. Rodel Fuentes discusses his thoughts on Las Vegas' diversity, affordability, restaurants, and Asian community. He also talks about experiencing anti-Asian hate, worsened by misconceptions and discrimination that came from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mike Montano conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 19, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Montano begins by discussing his mother and father, who met in Hawaii when his father immigrated there from the Philippines, and later moved to Stockton, California during the late 1930s after Montano was born. He describes racial prejudice he has faced as an Asian American, how he developed interest in playing the piano as a child, and his siblings. Montano continues, detailing how he started playing jazz while attending the College of the Pacific and the musicians he played with. He describes first going to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960 and returning throughout the 1960s as a member of various touring jazz bands. He talks about the other places he performed around the world and the celebrities and prominent musicians he has met. Montano concludes by reflecting on his career as a musician and his life in Las Vegas after moving there permanently in 1974.
Archival Collection