Oral history interview with Marihka "Minddie" Lloyd conducted by Kristel Peralta and Stefani Evans on June 15, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Minddie talks about her upbringing in Manila, Philippines by her paternal grandmother and sisters (her Lolas) and her immigration to the United States at a young age. her personal history and childhood, including abuse that she suffered and her time in foster homes and a girls' home, Olive Crest. Minddie discusses the mentors she met through Olive Crest and her move to Las Vegas as an adult where she met her husband, an undercover Las Vegas Metro officer. Minddie talks about her employment with Hawaiian Air Lines, her support of the Injured Police Officers' Fund, and the creation of "Bamboo Bridges," a nonprofit organization based in Henderson, Nevada that aids abused, trafficked Asian women. Minddie also shares how she and her husband both contracted COVID-19 in 2020, and the untimely death of her spouse the day Minddie was released from the hospital. She shares how this event caused her to convert from Catholicism to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the religion of her late husband.
Oral history interview with Hanford Searl conducted by Dennis McBride on November 02, 1996 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. Searl discusses being gay and the struggles he faced in religion and university before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history with Nathan Harper conducted by Claytee D. White on July 29, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Harper describes his childhood and growing up in Wichita, Kansas and how those early days shaped his belief system today. After discussing his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Cyprus, Harper discusses his role, beginning in 2007, as Archaeologist for the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about unearthing the history of John Howell, the first Black man in Las Vegas who claimed land near what is now Springs Preserve. He also talks about relocating railroad cottages to the Preserve, restoring, and even decorating the buildings. He talks about the history of early Las Vegas and the area's water supply throughout the interview.
Oral history interviews with Barbara Davis conducted by Joanne Goodwin on December 18, 1996 and March 25, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Davis opens her interviews by discussing her audition for the Folies Bergere as a dancer with limited experience. Davis describes working with the Folies Bergere as a touring showgirl in the 1940s. She discusses touring the United States in the Folies Bergere, touring South America for three years, and going to college at night while performing during the day. Davis then talks about the city of Reno, Nevada and working as a showgirl there. Davis addresses common rumors about showgirls, such as being involved in prostitution or being addicted to gambling. She then discusses her interest in education in her later years including earning various post graduate degrees. Davis ends her interview with a discussion on classic entertainment of the 1940s, including vaudeville and entertainment hotspots of the time.
Oral history interview with Donna Silva conducted by Claytee D. White on February 6, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Silva recalls her childhood living in Los Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Valdosta, Georgia; and Japan. When her family settled in Las Vegas, her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but Silva later left the organization as a teenager. Throughout the interview, Silva recalls memories of the Rolling Stones, Steve Wynn, Elvis, and doing lighting work throughout the city as the first female to join the stagehand's union. Silva's work in the hotel/casino industry provides insight in work on the casino floor and behind the curtains of entertainment venues. She worked as a cocktail waitress, cigarette girl, and then backstage as a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Her passion later turned to working with the Rape Crisis Center, where Silva has acquired training that allows her to go to hospitals to assist patients.
Oral history interview with Katherine M. Joseph conducted by Claytee D. White on October 25, 2004 and September 05, 2007 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Joseph discusses dancing in Paris, France with Josephine Baker and working at the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino during its heyday. Joseph also discusses race segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and of the burgeoning and bustling African-American communities and neighborhoods.
Oral history interview with Sam S. Earl conducted by Laura Button on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses the family’s early residence in a tent and their religious participation. He also discusses welfare benefits, gambling, the first members of the police force, and the Helldorado parade. Earl then talks about his work on the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, as a building contractor, and as a truck driver.