Oral history interview with Gayle Wallace conducted by Steven Stover on February 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wallace discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Wallace begins by describing his father's career as a mechanic working on the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Wallace then describes moving to North Las Vegas, Nevada, what life was like in the developing city, and living in a tent. He talks about his career as a floral designer, how Las Vegas has changed, and recreational activities in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Howard Wasden conducted by Gillian Collins on an unknown date in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wasden discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1925 and working for the railroad. Wasden explains how the railroad was a predominant economic asset for Las Vegas at the time. He then describes living on the Westside "Old Town", education in Las Vegas, attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and eventually becoming a teacher. Lastly, Wasden discusses the population growth, development of the Las Vegas Strip, and his role as principal of West Charleston School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Essie Boyd conducted by Claytee D. White on September 16, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Boyd describes life in Las Vegas, Nevada as an African American during the 1940s. She begins by discussing what the Las Vegas Strip was like at the time and her experiences working at the Flamingo Hotel, the Desert Inn, and the Desert Inn Country Club. Boyd describes the history of the casinos where she worked and the individuals she met through her work, including prominent African American entertainers and influential Las Vegas families such as the Greenspuns.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Casiano Corpus Jr. conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on February 14, 2023 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Corpus Jr. details a difficult childhood in the Philippines, where society is highly socioeconomically stratified. He recalls his parents working a number of jobs to support their large family, and as soon as he finished his primary schooling, he also started working in construction. When his father was finally petitioned by his uncle to move to the United States, Corpus was at first reluctant to go, since he had a familiar life in the Philippines, but has come to love the United States and the life he created for himself. Immediately after moving to the United States, their family landed in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Corpus began working a number of jobs. He started out as a busboy at a Chinese restaurant before deciding that he wanted to work in a casino and moved to Union Plaza. His current job is as a porter at Palace Station, where he has been for the past 31 years. He has also been working to unionize Palace Station and Station casinos with the Culinary Union for the past twelve years. He talks about the hunger strike he organized, why he organizes with no fear, and what he hopes to see out of his efforts throughout the interview.
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Narrator affiliation: Administrator, Atomic Energy Commission and Public Health Service
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Oral history interview with Ron Lurie conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 17, 2016 and November 10, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Lurie discusses his upbringing in Los Angeles, California and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. He recalls his father’s business, Market Town, graduating from Las Vegas High School, and becoming manager for three Wonder World convenient stores. Lurie talks about his campaign to become Mayor of Las Vegas, running for Las Vegas City Council, and the redevelopment of Downtown Las Vegas. In the second interview, Lurie discusses the Las Vegas Downtown Progress Association, the National League of Cities, and the Las Vegas monorail. Lastly, Lurie talks about employee longevity and unionization.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Julia Payne conducted by Claytee D. White on February 11, 2004 and March 07, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Payne discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. She describes discrimination, redlining on the Westside, and recalls the lack of integration at the time. Payne then discusses Jackson Street and compares it to the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Payne talks about Cove Hotel, Hank’s Place, Colony Club, and the decline in African American businesses on Jackson Street. In the second interview, Payne discusses welfare rights, changes to the Westside and growth of suburban areas. She describes her employment with the Southern Nevada Drug Abuse Council and becoming the first African American substance abuse counselor. Lastly, Payne discusses her position as Executive Director of Nevada Treatment Center.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Barbara Agonia conducted by Suzanne Becker on September 17, 2007, September 25, 2007, and October 02, 2007 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Agonia's interviews begin with an overview of her early life, including her education and study abroad experiences in England during college. During the interview Agonia also discusses attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the 1950s for graduate school. Agonia talks about her community activism with Soroptimist International of Las Vegas, Friends of the Nevada Wildnerness, and Clark County Community College. Lastly, Agonia discusses advocacy initiatives for Great Basin National Park and rape crisis education.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marie Jordan conducted by Danny Budak on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jordan discusses her personal perspective of life in Nevada, being a local resident for twenty years, family life, and changes that she has witnessed in the Las Vegas, Nevada Valley.
Archival Collection
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