Oral history interview with José Armando Elique conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on January 14, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Elique discusses his family background and early life in New York City, New York. He talks about his educational experience, attending Catholic schools, and serving in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Elique recalls his employment with the Port Authority Police Department, Latino police officers, and the evolution of gang culture. Later, Elique talks about moving the Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000, the 1 October shooting, and his role as the chief of police of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Police Services. Lastly, Elique discusses his involvement with the National Latino Police Officers Association.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl McDonald conducted by Claytee D. White on October 4, 2000 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, McDonald, a sixty-year resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, relates his background in Mississippi and Louisiana, leaving home at fourteen and traveling to California, and being drafted into the Army during World War II. He then discusses moving to Las Vegas and working as a musician and valet while training to be an electrician. He talks at length about the Westside, detailing the clubs and restaurants that opened along Jackson Street, including the El Rio, the Cotton Club, the El Morocco, and the Ebony Club. He also explains the discrimination that prevented Black individuals from joining unions even when they worked union jobs, and the response by the United States Justice department. He also discusses gambling and the potential for revitalizing the Westside community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. John S. Wright conducted by Katie Lockhart on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wright discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956. He describes the origins of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas including its relationship with the University of Nevada, Reno regarding funding. Wright also describes the culture and development of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas such as its organizations and programs.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elaine Newton conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Kristel Peralta, and Vanessa Concepcion on May 19, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Elaine Newton shares her family's history living in Hawaii and Japan, and memories from her childhood growing up with her six siblings in Honolulu. She talks about becoming a flight attendant for Pan American World Airways and how she met her former husband, Wayne Newton, after a stop in Vietnam. Elaine recalls their courtship and marriage as well as what Las Vegas life, fashion, and entertainment were like during the 1980s. She also speaks about racial discrimination and anti-asian violence in the past and present.
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Oral history interview with Joseph De Meis conducted by Claytee D. White on January 3, 2020 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Mr. De Meis discusses his numerous years of professional experience in design work, prior to his retirement. Joseph discusses the engineering work he did on Caesars Palace as well his work with other world famous designers and engineers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gloria Dea Anzalone conducted by Claytee D. White on October 22, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Gloria Dea describes her childhood in Oakland, California where she learned the art of magic from her father. Her family moved to Sacramento where Gloria Dea first performed in Breuners Department Store and by age twelve, she was working in nighclubs. Later in Hollywood, Gloria Dea danced in several films and entertained in USO shows. She performed in 1941 at the Last Frontier and the El Rancho - some of the earliest places on what was later the Las Vegas Strip. In the interview, she recalls time serving as president of both the Women's Club of Burbank, Hadassah, and the board of American Guild of Variery Artists.
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Oral history interview with Joseph Tooley Phillips conducted by Joanne P. Marshall on March 15, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Phillips discusses his personal history in Nevada and his job as a printer at the
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Oral history interview with Ida Browder Kelley conducted by Dennis McBride on April 21, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Kelley discusses how she met the former Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, Fred S. Alward, through her mother, who was active in politics. Kelley talks about her own thoughts about Alward, including the type of person he was and how he carried himself. Kelley later describes her own experience in politics including attending session meetings and campaigning.
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Oral history interview with Melvin Eugene Serviss conducted by Juan Ortiz on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Serviss discusses his personal history in Missouri and Las Vegas, Nevada. Serviss describes going to clubs and meeting celebrities who were in Missouri for the filming of the movie
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Clark (Danny) Lee conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on May 23, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Lee discusses the process that allows the Nevada Library Association to grow with the Las Vegas, Nevada community. Lee also talks about homeless accommodations and the power struggle between North and South Las Vegas.
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