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Oral history interviews with Elizabeth von Till Warren conducted by Claytee D. White and Ashley Guthre on July 07, 2010 and November 18, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In her first interview, Warren describes living in Freeport, Long Island and her education in anthropology. She talks about her involvement in preserving historical sites in Goodsprings, Nevada and discusses the significance of these sites. In her second interview, Warren describes voluntary desegregation in Clark County schools and her experience working with the Clark County Schools’ Professional Growth Services. She then explains her employment at Clark County Community College and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and doing preservation work in the Desert Research Institute (DRI) Museum. Lastly, Warren discusses Rails to Trails, a program that manages old railroad beds, and her employment for the Southern Nevada Historical Society, the Preservation Association of Clark County, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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Oral history interview with Will Provance conducted by David Schwartz on July 14, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Provance discusses his various roles in the gaming industry the difference between managing slot machines in his earlier positions and video lottery terminals (VLTs) in his current position in Ohio. He also discusses what he believes makes a good slot floor and how slot operations has changed since he started in the industry.
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On March 2, 1980, collector David Mowrey interviewed Barbara Millington (born July 3rd, 1937 in Oak Creek, Colorado) at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview, Mrs. Millington discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with her family and working various jobs including at Vegas Village and becoming a bookkeeper at a construction firm. She also speaks about the changes she has seen in Las Vegas, such as how casinos were when she first came here compared to how they are now. She ends the interview talking about the need for Las Vegas to find industry outside of gaming. She discusses the need for young people to come back after going away to college to improve the city.
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On February 26, 1979, collector Pete Wahlquist interviewed William McCullough (born May 9th, 1905 in Kansas City, Missouri) at his home in Boulder City, Nevada. In this interview, Mr. McCullough discusses moving to Nevada and working on the building of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). He also speaks about Boulder City during the time of building the dam, as well as the growth he has seen happen in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Bert Hood is celebrated in Las Vegas's gay history for his ownership of the Red Barn, one of our most famous gay bars. This is another of those serendipitous interviews I've conducted with someone I very much wanted to interview but didn't know how to find. Bert's in Las Vegas from Oklahoma City for just a short while visiting old friends, and I was lucky enough to have found him through Bill Schafer, president of the Southern Nevada Gay and Lesbian Historical Society. I want to thank you, Bert, for donating these two hours of your vacation time to me so I can preserve your stories for the gay community.
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Oral history interview with Mary C. Hurtado conducted by Angie DeLong and Sophie Romani on May 27, 2008 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Hurtado opens her interview by recalling her third grade year at the Arden School in Blue Diamond, Nevada. Hurtado describes her favorite teacher, Ruby Danny. She then describes other teachers at the school, her childhood in the 1920s in Blue Diamond, and community events such as gift giving during the Christmas season. She discusses how it was necessary for residents of Blue Diamond to visit Las Vegas, Nevada for supplies and healthcare. The interviewers and Hurtado then describe their favorite Blue Diamond residents. Lastly, Hurtado talks about the importance that all family members pitch in to survive in a rural area like Blue Diamond during the 1930s.
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Oral history interview with Kirk Kerkorian conducted by K.J. Evans on February 10, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview Kirk Kerkorian discusses Howard Hughes and Jerry Williams and how they were two men who he respected and learned from. He also talks about how Jerry Williams introduced him to Las Vegas, Nevada. He then discusses how he was ecstatic when he saw Las Vegas for the first time and how he helped build Bally's, The International, and the MGM Grand Hotel.
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On February 14, 1979, Concepcion Fernandez interviewed Rosamond McDougal (born in Texas) about her life as a teacher in Las Vegas. McDougal speaks primarily about her time as a teacher in the Clark County School District, her unique class setup and the district’s changes. Moreover, McDougal speaks about the growing number of students and teachers, the superintendent’s role in bond issues, the courses offered, racial integration in the school district (and the casinos), and the building of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. McDougal gives personal anecdotes about her family, her husband’s job at the Atomic Test Site and her time as an organ player in churches around the city. Lastly, she talks about recreational activities, Helldorado, the casinos and department stores.
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