Oral history interviews with Gail S. McQuary conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin on April 14, 1997, April 25, 1997 and May 28, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. McQuary opens her interviews with a discussion of her childhood and her introduction to dance in California. McQuary then talks about getting recruited to perform in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sahara Hotel and Casino while performing at a fair. McQuary goes on to describe her dance career in Las Vegas and the other casinos where she worked. McQuary also talks about how dancing and shows in Las Vegas changed throughout the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Bunch conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on January 09, 1996 and February 07, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Bunch discusses the origins of her dance career and the places her pursuit of this career took her. Bunch discusses the various shows she performed in both in the United States and Europe, and describes the differences between a dancer and a showgirl. Bunch describes the responsibilities and rights of dancers, their contracts, and their leisure activities. Finally, Bunch also discusses her personal life including two of her marriages.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kim Krantz conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on February 26, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Krantz begins her interview discussing her transition from an east coast dancer to a Las Vegas, Nevada dancer. Krantz discusses the performing scene at the time and the general distaste dancers had for showgirls. Krantz goes on to discusses the details of nudity in performances and the relationships show directors like Harold Minsky and Donn Arden had with their performers. Krantz also discusses her experiences as a dancer and her opinions about the treatment of African American dancers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Kincaid conducted by Lori Ferrario on February 29, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kincaid discusses the World’s Fair and ranch life in Nevada.
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Oral history interview with Herb Knauss conducted by James Greene on September 29, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Knausse discusses Camp Wilson in Boulder City, Nevada.
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Oral history interview with Edna French conducted by Helen Littleton on November 18, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. French discusses her life in Boulder City, Nevada.
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Oral history interview With Carolyn Sparks conducted by Claytee D. White on June 7, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sparks describes her childhood growing up in Overton, Nevada where her father worked as a mining engineer. Later the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where her father invested in the El Cortez and Showboat hotels. Sparks received a degree from the University of California, Berkeley before returning to Las Vegas to work at an insurance company, where she met her husband, Kenneth. Sparks discusses their shared adventure insuring many of the businesses on the Las Vegas Strip while simultaneously entering the world of philanthropy. Sparks became area Chairperson of the American Cancer Society, a fundraiser for Junior Mesquite Club, and founded the Nevada Children's Center. Sparks served on the Nevada Board of Regents from 1984 to 1996, on the Board of Directors of the Showboat Hotel & Casino, and as president of the family's International Insurance Services, Ltd.
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Oral history interview with Benny Binion conducted by William Hernstadt on February 8, 1976 for the Las Vegas, Nevada KVVU Channel Five television program "Spotlight." Binion talks briefly about the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino, the process of running a successful casino, publicity, and potential city improvements that could help business. He likes the idea of more hotel rooms, a convention center, a weekend train to and from Los Angeles, California, and dislikes the idea of a pedestrian mall in the downtown area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joan Swift conducted by Linda Dyer on February 25, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Swift discusses mining and working at the Clark County Recorders Office.
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Oral history interview with Forrest Woodward conducted by Laurie Mearns on February 23, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Woodward discusses arriving to Southern Nevada, its history, and sports.
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