Oral history interview with Marisa Rodriguez conducted by Maribel Estrada Calderón, Monserrath Hernández and Claytee D. White for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Marisa Rodriguez discusses her childhood and living in North Las Vegas as a teenager; she was born in Chicago, Illinois, moved to Mexico with her family at a young age, and returned to the United States at age 12. She recounts what it was like acclimating to American life, learning English, and studying abroad in Spain before becoming a law student. Marisa attended the William S. Boyd School of Law and is currently a civil litigator in Las Vegas. Subjects discussed include: La Voz Hispanic/Latino Law Students Association at the William S. Boyd School of Law; Huellas mentorship program.
Celia Strauss describes her family history in Poland and fleeing the Nazis, narrowly escaping being captured or shot several times. She and her family came to the United States in 1947.
The Dorothy Dorothy papers (approximately 1913-1986) document the life of singer, songwriter, columnist, pilot, and farmer, Dorothy Dorothy. Materials contain genealogy records, correspondence, business and organizational records, local history, sheet music, artifacts, and two boxes of photographic prints. Also included are materials relating to her active involvement with animal rights campaigns.
Interview with Arthur "Art" Lurie by Cheryle Bacot on April 25, 1986. Lurie talks about his family and upbringing with Kenny Washington, who was the first African American to sign with the National Football League. Lurie discusses knowing everybody in Las Vegas in the 1950s, being in the service/retail sector and watching the city grow. He operated several businesses including grocery stores and the liquor department at Wonder World. He talks about his love of boxing, serving on the boxing commission, and advantages of living in southern Nevada.
Arthur C. Lurie lived in Las Vegas for 33 years at the time of this 1986 oral history. He and his wife Eleanor had relocated from Los Angeles area to help run his brother-in-law's food market. Over the years his career would include the grocery, bar (Art's Place) and restaurant businesses; including being co-owner of the liquor store at Wonder World. He shares memories of adjusting to the more laid back culture of small town Las Vegas and how he feels like a native after watching the city grow over the past decades. Art was a founding member of Temple Beth Sholom, where he served as an early vice-president. Being in the non-gaming sector provided gave him the opportunity to work with youth programs and he started the Golden Gloves gym in Las Vegas. He judged over 40 title fights and had a long career on the Nevada Boxing Commission. Arthur Lurie past away in 2014 at the age of 96.
Interview with Bess Rosenberg by Jerry Masini on November 12, 1975. In this interview, Rosenberg describes coming to Las Vegas in 1942, and the desert landscape. She gives an in-depth recollection of the first atomic test, and talks about different weather and the seasons in Las Vegas. Rosenberg describes several clubs and hotels around downtown and the recreation at Lake Mead and Mount Charleston.
Roy Brown was born in American Fork, Utah. He relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1957. This interview is conducted by Rick Godwin at Brown’s hair salon located within Camelot Shopping Center in Las Vegas. During this interview Brown discusses his career as a hairstylist, celebrities he has styled and the growth and transformation of the haircutting industry in Las Vegas.
On February 23, 1980, Ken Rose interviewed James Matson (b. July 14, 1923 in Pensacola, Florida) about his life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Throughout the interview, Matson discusses his childhood, life in Florida before moving to Las Vegas, his family and what brought him to Las Vegas. Matson also delves into his economic struggles and those of the community, his attempt to purchase a home and the changes he would like to see in society. Moreover, Matson talks about his hobbies, his work in construction and interracial friendships. The interview ends with Matson discussing the city of Las Vegas, the weather and the changing buildings.