Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by Lester Wisbrod on February 18, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan discusses his experiences in journalism, including his work as an editor for the Review Journal. He provides details on some of the major events covered by the newspaper and his work in establishing Nellis Air Force Base. Cahlan also describes some of the social changes over time, including the growth of air travel for tourism and gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David L. Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on March 18, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Washington discusses his personal history, education, experiences in the military, and becoming a firefighter in Las Vegas, Nevada. Washington talks about his employment at the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue department, explains the procedures for certain fire emergencies, and what it was like when women joined the department in the 1960s. Finally, he recalls becoming the City of Las Vegas Fire Chief.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tancy and Richard Leonard conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 18, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, the Leonards discuss their respective parents' employment at the Nevada Test Site. Frances’ father, John Elmgren, was the liaison between Reynolds Electric and the Atomic Energy Commission. Tancy describes the difficulties that came with having a parent working at the test site, the Huntridge Movie Theater, Vegas Village, and living in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and 1960s. Later in the interview, Richard discusses his father’s employment at the test site, observing the detonation of bombs, and the secrecy surrounding his father’s work. Lastly, the two describe the Westside and the historical significance of that area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Wilcock conducted by Claytee D. White on April 17, 2014; April 18, 2014, and April 30, 2014. for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Wilcock recalls working in Bal Harbour, Florida, and coming to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend the School of Hotel Management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Wilcock explains gaming terminology and the process of dealing and cheating the casino. He discusses the relationship between Caesars in Atlantic City and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and between operating a gaming company in New Jersey and Nevada. He also recalls opening day at the Mirage, opening the Treasure Island, and how Wynn hotels hired and promoted from within, but instituted a minority recruitment and training program to diversify the workforce.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Linda Vasquez conducted by Patricia van Betten on February 18, 2005 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Vasquez discusses her childhood in Norwich, Connecticut and her first trip to Blue Diamond, Nevada in 1966 as a high school graduation gift. She describes the early Blue Diamond community, and her eventual move to Nevada around 1975. She details her husband Simon Vasquez's childhood in Blue Diamond, from his education at the first school in Blue Diamond to his commute to Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. She then discusses her husband's roles at the Blue Diamond Mine, from the time he was eighteen years old until his death. Vasquez then details the health care in Blue Diamond, as well as the schools, the post service, and the telephone and electricity services.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas J. Schoeman conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 18, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Schoeman discusses his childhood, education from the University of New Mexico, and the architectural community within Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about Jack Miller and Associates Architectural Studios projects and his favorite Las Vegas buildings.
Archival Collection
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Norma Morrow Zuckerman conducted by Barbara Tabach on April 18, 2016 and March 13, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Zuckerman discusses growing up in the Los Angeles, California Jewish community and finding a profession in acting. She also talks about co-founding the Jewish Repertory Theatre of Nevada, the numerous plays that she has directed and performed in, and being a fashion designer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Rozita Lee conducted by Stefani Evans, Cecilia Winchell, Kristel Peralta, Vanessa Concepcion, Jerwin Tiu, and Su Kim Chung on June 1, 2021, April 12, 2022, and May 18, 2023 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Rozita shares her experiences growing up on a sugar plantation with her family in Hawaii. She talks about the benefits her family received and the "privileged" life she led with her father as the plantation boss, allowing her household to have electricity, plumbing, and a telephone. Rozita discusses her use of Pidgin English amongst her peers and "good English" in her household, and the roles and responsibilities her parents had working on the plantation. She shares what life was like day to day and what she remembers growing up during World War II including hearing air raid sirens and hanging blackout curtains in her home. Rozita also talks about meeting her husband, Clifford Lee, in high school, their marriage in 1979, and how the couple came to move to Las Vegas. In the second interview, Lee discusses pursuing a bachelor's degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), working with Governor Miller and Bob Bailey, and her involvement in a Polynesian show at Imperial Palace for eighteen years.
Archival Collection
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