The memories and recollections of Alice Thiriot Ballard Waite provide a most interesting look at both at the Junior League of Las Vegas in the 1970s and the early days of Las Vegas. Alice recalls her childhood and young adult years after she arrived in Las Vegas at the age of five, giving the reader a rare picture of Las Vegas in the 1950s and 1960s. She was most active in the volunteer community of Las Vegas and served as Junior League President in 1964-5. Her reminiscences about the events and activities during the years while she was a Junior League member are an invaluable insight into its history. The exhibits she is sharing are an important documentation of those years after the Service League became the Junior League. She herself was a forerunner of today's Active members because she was a single, working mother while serving as the first "professional" President of the League.
On April 12, 1977, collector Mark French interviewed Nanyu Tomiyasu (born May 28th, 1918 in Las Vegas, Nevada) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In this interview, Nanyu Tomiyasu discusses growing up and working on his father’s (Bill Yonema Tomiyasu) farm in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses how his father came to Las Vegas and being one of the few Japanese families in Las Vegas as a child.
Interviewed by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez. Gustavo Ramos Junior was born in Presidio, Texas. Growing up Ramos described his childhood as simple childhood, typical of someone that was born on farmland. At the age 10, Ramos and his family moved to California in hopes of better opportunities. When they arrived in California the family had to live in public housing, despite his father not wanting to, he realized it was the only way his family could start anew. Living in public housing influenced Ramos for the rest of his life, including his career as director of public housing in three states.
On April 7, 1976, Lorna Suzette Clark interviewed her mother-in-law, Phyllis Webb Clark (born 1928 in Los Angeles, California) about her experiences from living in Las Vegas. The two first discuss education, the various address at which Phyllis lived, and the early development of the Strip and Downtown areas. The interview then covers the visits of important individuals, forms of transportation, the effect of World War II on the economy, and the effects of the growing town on hospitality and courteousness. Phyllis also mentions the Helldorado Parade, her involvement in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and recreational activities. The interview concludes with a discussion on the atomic testing, the Stewart Ranch, and floods in Las Vegas.
On March 3, 1979, William Hawley interviewed Oliver Crickman (born 1933 in Apex, North Carolina) about his experiences from living in Nevada and working in restaurants. Crickman first describes his background and his first occupations prior to starting as a cook in Las Vegas restaurants. He then explains how he gradually moved from the position of cook’s helper to sous chef and his then-current position of executive chef at the Royal Inn. Crickman goes into detail about the operation of those restaurants and other Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas properties, and he describes the demographics of cooks as well as how the hospitality industry has changed over time. The latter part of the interview involves a discussion of Crickman’s various residences in Las Vegas over time, the extent of crime, the first places to shop, and a brief discussion on mobile homes.
In 2014, Charlene, n?e Friedkin, Herst retired from her state government career, settled into volunteer work, being a mother and grandmother, and being a grant writer for others. After thirteen years in Carson City, she came back home to Las Vegas. Charlene was eight years old when her parents, Patricia and Richard Friedkin, moved their family to Las Vegas from northern California. She remembers vividly the hot day that they arrived and moved into a rental house in the desert across from Woodlawn Cemetery. Her father, formerly in the grocery business, found work at Vegas Village. Two years later they moved ?into Las Vegas at the very edge?which was Oakey.? She recalls people she has known since those first years who have been instrumental in the growth of Las Vegas; the challenges of being a divorced single mother of four; and the career path that began with an invitation from Gene Greenberg to apply for a part time position at Channel 3, where he was sales manager. At Channel 3 she quickly went from part time to full-time. She started the Community Projects Board, which brought together nonprofit organizations together at the studio in the 1980s to identify and develop marketing campaigns that addressed social issues in the community. Initiatives included Baby Your Baby and Smoking Stinks. While working for Channel 3, she also attended UNLV and received a communications degree in 1995. In 1997 she worked at Sierra Health Services in public relations. Then in October 2001, Charlene started her career in state government as the Nevada State Health Division?s Manager of the Tobacco Program. Over the course of her thirteen year career with the state, she was promoted to positions that continued her dedication to improving the quality of life of all Nevadans. She was instrumental in the implementation of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (2006); improving prevention services to women; reducing the rate of substance use and abuse in the state. The date of her retirement, October 10, 2014, was officially proclaimed in honor of Charlene Herst by Governor Brian Sandoval.
On March 15, 1981 Lance Malone interviewed Sears Roebuck Division Manager, Earl A. Evans, Jr., (born March 3rd, 1935 in Alhambra, California) in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the history of Nevada and Mr. Evans’s life. During the interview, Mr. Evans discusses education, sports, employment, the weather and the railroad in Las Vegas. He also discusses transportation, recreation, community involvement, raising a family in Las Vegas, the development of Fremont and the Strip, and religious activities. Mr. Evans served as a Bishop for the LDS Church in Las Vegas and in regards to education, he served on the Clark County School Board.
Janice and Robert Spurlock were married in 1990 and each has a lifetime of Las Vegas memories. They have made Sandy Valley home for nearly 32 years. Together the couple recalls the people and places of Las Vegas' past from their points of view during this oral history interview. For Janice the stories begin in the 1930s after her family moved to Las Vegas from California. She was a youngster of about five. Among the topics she talks about is walking to Fifth Street Grammar School, graduating from Vegas High School, and fun had during Helldorado Days. In 1953, Robert arrived. He was a young man headed from Arizona to Colorado seeking work as a welder. He stopped in Henderson, Nevada and never quite made it out of the area. For the next two decades he worked construction and helped build many local landmarks. He shares stories about the range wars and about being accidentally exposed to radiation from the Nevada Test site.
On March 15, 1978, Marianne Johnson interviewed Frank Cope (born in Kansas, in 1930) at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Frank’s family relocated to Nevada from Kansas when he was six months old. For school, he attended the Westside Grammar School, Las Vegas Grammar School on Fifth Street, and Las Vegas High School. He also attended Carson City High School for two years before enlisting in the Army and going overseas. Pertaining to work, Mr. Cope describes his occupation as distribution superintendent at the Las Vegas Valley Water District. He recalls how he met his wife, who also works for the water district as a secretary in the engineering department. Additionally, most of Frank’s brothers work for the water district as well. Social groups or organizations Frank mentions being affiliated with include the Las Vegas Golf Association, two motorcycle clubs, the American Public Works Association, the American Water Works Association, and the Las Vegas Elks Lodge 1468.