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Transcript of interview with Kenny Epstein by Barbara Tabach, May 1, 2015

Date

2015-05-01

Description

On a pleasant spring evening at sundown in April 2017, a Pop-Up Shabbat draws a crowd of Jews to the Jackie Gaughan Parkway at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino. Proudly, and quietly, watching from the sideline is Kenny Epstein, owner of the El Cortez. He seeks no recognition, but is enjoying the gathering for Sabbath services and the music that will fill the air. Kenny Epstein is also a classic enthusiast of Las Vegas history. The nostalgia is evident as one walks through the casino and reinforced by the stories of a man who has experienced the city’s growth since moving here in 1959 at the age of 18. The timeline of Kenny’s teen years begins with his bar mitzvah in Chicago and a story of prizefighter Rocky Marciano giving a brief toast. When he was 15, his parents, Ike and Adele Epstein, took the family to visit Las Vegas. About three years later, his father became an executive at the Stardust. Kenny’s own imprint on Las Vegas history was just beginning. In this brief interview, he mentions an illustrious list of mentors and recalls many historic moments from the history of the Las Vegas Strip. All of which led to his ownership of The El Cortez—advertised as the longest continuously operating hotel/casino.

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Pinto-Palomino Neighborhood roundtable oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02901

Abstract

Roundtable oral history interview moderated by Claytee D. White on November 1, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. Participants include Nancy Johnson, Naomi Lytle Gibbs, Deborah Faye Bond Origer, Kacey Santelman Brooks, Olivia Brooks, Helen Dawson, Rollie Gibbs, Judy Lee Snyder Santelman, and Gary Gibson. They discuss growing up in the Pinto-Palomino neighborhood north of West Charleston between Campbell Drive and Rancho Drive, the focus on horses and horseback riding, the Helldorado Days parades, and serving as Rodeo Queens. They also talk about the culture and personality of the neighborhood, famous residents including Wayne Newton, coming back to live in the neighborhood after moving away, and forming the neighborhood association.

Archival Collection

Transcript of interview with Ed Walters by David G. Schwartz, April 20, 2015

Date

2015-04-20

Archival Collection

Description

Ed Walters was a pool and card hustler in New York City when he was in his 20s. He was asked by a major crime boss in 1959 to go to Las Vegas to find out if a card dealer was cheating. Ed did figure out he was cheating, so the crime boss got him a job learning the Western card games at the Fremont during the day and being a pit boss at the Sands at night. He worked at the Sands until 1967 and then at various other casinos until approximately 1981.

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Nicole Charlton oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03440

Abstract

Oral history interview with Nicole Charlton conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 23, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Charlton discusses her early life in Carlin, Nevada and relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990. Charlton is the Executive Secretary to the Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg and was among the first from the Coroner's office on the scene of the Route 91 shooting in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

George Tate oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01803

Abstract

Oral history interview with George Tate conducted by Randi Levine and June Brown on September 24, 2002 as part of the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Tate discusses his personal history, his occupation as an architect, and his experience in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He explains why ground water was an issue for building infrastructure in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lastly, Tate discusses the changes in the professional architectural community, the increase of women in the architectural field, and the competitive aspect of being an architect.

Archival Collection

Juliana Chen oral history interview: transcript

Date

2022-03-21

Description

Oral history interview with Juliana Chen conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on March 21, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Juliana Chen shares her upbringing in Hunan, China and her experiences as a teenager training to become a professional ballet dancer. She discusses her rigorous training and troupe career that ended when Chen sustained a knee injury. With a desire to try something new while still being able to perform, Chen immigrated to Vancouver, Canada and began practicing magic. Chen shares that although she didn't know anyone or speak English, she practiced her craft and broadened her knowledge by joining professional organizations including the International Brotherhood of Magicians. After winning several magic competitions, Chen performed on the Las Vegas Strip at Caesar's Palace and the Riviera Hotel and Casino. She shares her current professional pursuits, her connection to the Las Vegas magician community, and her thoughts on Chinese culture and cuisine.

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Kevin Sweet oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02718

Abstract

Oral history interview with Kevin Sweet conducted by David G. Schwartz on May 23, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. During his interview, Sweet discusses his various roles in the gaming industry, specifically the everyday tasks in monitoring slot floors and serving casino patrons. Sweet also describes how he has worked with slot machine vendors, including how decisions are made to bring new slot games into the floor.

Archival Collection

Alex Shoofey oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01694

Abstract

Oral history interview with Alex Shoofey conducted by David G. Schwartz on March 13, 2003 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Shoofey discusses his personal history as an orphan in Brooklyn, New York. He describes his experience with casino owner Kirk Kerkorian, opening of the Flamingo Hotel, and the clientele that junkets brought to the Las Vegas, Nevada casinos. Shoofey discusses opening the International Hotel and Casino in 1969 and talks about designing the procedures for operating the casino. Lastly, Shoofey recalls Elvis Presley performing at the International Hotel and selling the property to Hilton a year into its operation.

Archival Collection

Transcript of interview with Harvey Diederich by K.J. Evans, January 4, 1999

Date

1999-01-04

Description

On January 4, 1999, Harvey Diederich (b. 1920 in Chicago, IL) was interviewed in his home by K.J. Evans about his experience as a publicist in the gaming industry. Diederich first discusses his background and education in journalism and later discusses the relationship between the Las Vegas News Bureau and hotel/casino publicists. Evans questions Diederich about some of his specific projects, such as those dealing with celebrities and particularly the ones that stood out as the most successful, most unsuccessful, and most creative. Diederich also mentions some of the individuals for whom he worked as well as the various cities to which he traveled for work.

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Elton Garrett oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-00651

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Elton Garrett conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on December 05, 1980 and December 06, 1980 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In the first interview, Garrett discusses his career in journalism, education, and business. He talks about Boulder City, Nevada in the early 1900s, the Boulder Canyon Project Act (1928), and becoming a writing for the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 1931. Garrett talks about Six Companies, Inc., and the Williamsville (Ragtown) camp where dam construction workers lived before housing was completed in Boulder City. In the last interview, Garrett talks about the increase of businesses in Boulder City during the 1930s, permissions required to open a business at the time, and the increase of people moving to the area.

Archival Collection