Oral history interview with Paul Christensen conducted by Claytee D. White on February 19, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Paul Christensen discusses his early childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada during World War II, his family's jewelry business, the various educational institutions he attended, his service in the United States Air Force, and his long career in city politics.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lee Murialdo conducted by Kim Burco on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Murialdo discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada as it pertains to casinos and city growth. Murialdo describes the initial founding of the city and origins of the name "Las Vegas," entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip, and the different games available to play in casinos. Murialdo also describes the construction of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, as well as the construction of the Hoover (Boulder) Dam. Murialdo goes on to discuss her novel and why she decided to move to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Andrew Russell on March 22, 1987. In this interview, Tomiyasu discusses his father's large-scale commercial farm in Las Vegas, Nevada and the amount of produce the farm produced through the 1920s. He expands on the impact of the 1922 railroad strike, particularly in regard to the Japanese population in the city. He recounts the general lack of discrimination and segregation against Japanese residents in Las Vegas, how Japanese families integrated with the community and how they maintained their cultural traditions. Later, he begins to discuss the impact of World War II on Japanese in the people living in the western states, Las Vegas' response to its Japanese residents, and how relocation and internment impacted families.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sarann Knight Preddy conducted by Yvonne R. Hunter on July 16, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Knight discusses her bar (The Lincoln Bar) in Hawthorne, Nevada and how she built it for the African American community because of limited access to venues due to segregation. Knight then talks about working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the influence that gambling had on the community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Patricia Iannuzzi conducted by Claytee D. White on March 6, 2018 and November 30, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Iannuzzi discusses her early interest in library sciences. She talks about her educational experience and becoming a reference librarian. Iannuzzi describes the development of resource repositories, education reform, and the evolution of the internet. Iannuzzi recalls the first online databases, electronic resources, and improving undergraduate education. Lastly, Iannuzzi discusses her employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the importance of information literacy. In the second interview, Iannuzzi discusses accomplishments from her time as Dean of UNLV University Libraries, particularly her role in the creation of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harriet Trudell conducted by Shannon Beesley on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Trudell begins by describing her early history in St. Petersburg, Florida, including her education and lobbying for labor unions. She discusses her career working for the presidential campaigns during the 1960s and 1970s. Trudell describes Nevada as a conservative state, and explains what she means saying Nevada was the "Mississippi of the West." Trudell also discusses working for Nevada Governor Mike O'Callaghan, the Democratic Party, her ancestors who fought in the American Civil War, and prominent moments in United States political history. Trudell concludes by describing her involvement in the women's movement and why she felt it was important.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bruce Eaton conducted by Jay Brewer on April 24, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Eaton discusses his employment as a laborer for Six Companies during the construction of the Hoover (Boulder) Dam and the racial conflicts that occurred. Eaton also talks about a federal investigation he was involved in that involved suspected espionage. Other topics that Eaton discusses include his enlistment in the United States Navy and his role as city manager of Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Emilio Muscelli conducted by Claytee D. White on November 25, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Muscelli discusses his life in Italy, coming to America in 1948, and working at the Copacabana nightclub in New York. He also discusses his boss there, Jack Entratter, who brought him to Las Vegas, Nevada when he opened the Sands Hotel and Casino in 1952. Muscelli then discusses working as a maitre d' for many years at the Sands and becoming friends with Bobby Darren, Cary Grant, and many other celebrities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Janice Stromberg conducted by Karen S. Laird on April 07, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Stromberg reflects upon her career as a teacher and administrator in Oregon and Nevada. She focuses on her experiences as a principal, her approach to school administration, and her working relationship with teachers and other administrators. She also describes some of her biggest responsibilities and challenges, her experience with school integration, and proposed changes that she would make within the education system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Isadore Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on February 07, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Isadore Washington discusses playing with Wayne Newton when they were children and life on the Westside and joining the sheriff's department after high school and became the first black deputy sheriff. He also discusses people and places on the Westside in the eighties, medical care for blacks as far back as the fifties, and renting a room to entertainers after he bought his first house.
Archival Collection