Oral history interview with William Wright conducted by Andrew Weiss on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wright discusses his career working for the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roger Bryan conducted by Paul Murphy on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bryan, who was the principal of Harvey Dondero Elementary School at the time of the interview, mainly discusses his background in education and his experiences teaching at various schools around Southern Nevada. Bryan mentions several of the cities he lived in prior to coming to Las Vegas, Nevada as well as the various parts of town he lived in after arriving. He also talks specifically about the schools he attended in Las Vegas, superintendents in charge of the district, his decisions while on the school board, the extent of vandalism in schools, and how the school district has changed over the years. Bryan finalizes the interview with a discussion of the most influential teachers he had when he was a student.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sonny Thomas conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 28, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Thomas discusses getting his first funeral home job at the age of 16, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, his series of hotel jobs, and being part of the opening staff of MGM Grand Hotel. Thomas later talks about getting into the funeral industry and the various corporate buyouts of local funeral homes. He later discusses the tradition of African American funerals and his thoughts about segregation in Las Vegas during the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donna L. Miller conducted by Claytee D. White on July 15, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Miller begins by describing her early upbringing on her family's potato farm in Oregon before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses attending Las Vegas High School, joining the Rhythmettes, the school's female dance group, and her experiences in the Rhythmettes, including where she performed and the team's coach, Evelyn Stuckey. Miller also briefly discusses working as a secretary at the Sahara Hotel and Casino and real estate in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gary Giddens conducted by Claytee D. White on December 13, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Giddens discusses his upbringing and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978. He talks about becoming a firefighter, his employment with the North Las Vegas Fire Department, and working with ambulance companies. Giddens recalls Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, the increase of firefighters becoming EMTs, and the MGM Grand fire. Lastly, Giddens talks about leaving the North Las Vegas Fire Department.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Gieck conducted by James Greene on January 08, 1975 as part of the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. Gieck discusses living in Boulder City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Relda Leavitt conducted by David Broussard on March 18, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Leavitt describes life in St. Thomas, Nevada and the town's eventual demise due to the creation of Lake Mead.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lois Cox conducted by Mitch Cox on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lois Cox discusses her experiences growing up in and living in Nevada. Cox first discusses her family background, growing up Basque, and her educational and employment backgrounds. She then describes her career in the Clark County School District and the changes in school and student activities over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Javier Barajas conducted by Laurents Banuelos-Benitez, Marcela Rodriguez, and Barbara Tabach on November 20, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Javier Barajas describes his cultural upbringing and his Mexican heritage. He explains how he helped his grandparents in their restaurant, La Flor Michoacan, and learned how to cook during his time in seminary. He eventually moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to pursue his career. Barajas mentions that his first opportunity to practice cooking was when he worked as an executive chef for the owner of the restaurant Viva Zapata. After the restaurant closed down, Barajas went on to open his own restaurant, El Lindo Michoacan, and it became a popular place to enjoy Mexican cuisine in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Hawkins conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 09, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hawkins discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his educational experience in Las Vegas, attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and playing in their football program. Hawkins recalls being drafted into the National Football League (NFL), playing for the Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas Raiders), and the controversy behind the construction of Allegiant Stadium. Later, Hawkins talks about his career in construction, starting a construction company, and explains how he names the buildings he constructs. Lastly, Hawkins discusses the legalization of medical marijuana in Nevada, and becoming the first African American to own a dispensary in Nevada.
Archival Collection