Oral history interview with Margaret Crabbe, conducted by Patricia van Betten on January 14 and January 19, 2004 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Margaret Crabbe discusses her upbringing in California, her education as a schoolteacher and her move to Blue Diamond, Nevada in 1949. She briefly talks about her husband, Lester, and his work as facilities manager for both the Blue Diamond Mine and Blue Diamond Village. She then discusses her work as a teacher in Blue Diamond and the school children's participation in the dedication of the Blue Diamond Post Office in the 1950s. She also comments on problems with spring flooding in the town and surrounding areas and some of the wild animals that would come into the town. Finally, she talks about her grandfather John W. Bain, who established the first Methodist church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Richard Kunkel conducted by Patrick Carlton on October 11, 2002 and November 06, 2002 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kunkel opens his interview by explaining his higher education career in the 1970s throughout the Midwest. He then discusses being hired as Dean in 1978 for the in the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He then describes the faculty at UNLV at the time, his leadership style, and the different administrations at the Nevada Department of Education. Kunkel then talks about serving on the Land Grant Deans Association and some personal conflicts he had with fellow deans from the association. He recalls being an active voice in the local community while at UNLV, and creating the School of Physical Education within the College of Education. Lastly, Kunkel describes the administration staff at UNLV during the 1980s, and how different administrations impacted the image of the university.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carolyn Freeman conducted on January 30, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Freeman begins by discussing her upbringing, her father, who was the president of the Japanese American Citizens League, and her early interest in dancing. She also details her experiences as a Japanese American during World War II and being relocated by the federal government. Freeman then describes how she began her career as a dancer after getting a role in a Broadway play in New York City, New York, and her later experiences dancing in productions in Reno, Nevada and San Francisco, California during the 1950s and 1960s. Lastly, Freeman discusses the differences between living in Las Vegas, Nevada compared to California and being offered the chance to dance in a Frank Sinatra show by himself and Sammy Davis Jr.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christine Szukala conducted by Bridgette Foote on November 12, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Christine shares her family history and the story of her Thai mother and American Air Force father who met in Thailand and married before moving to the United States in 1970. She talks about her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada near Nellis Air Force base with her six siblings. Christine discusses her beliefs of how her newly immigrated mother adapted to American life, including altering her recipes to fit her husband's taste and reducing her visits to nearby Buddhist temples.
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Oral history interview with Fred Goldberg conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 03, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Fred Goldberg shares his experience of flying to Las Vegas, Nevada on October 1, 2017 while the mass shooting occurred on the Strip as well as his eventual arrival in Las Vegas. He describes the changes in travel after the shooting, including the plane's diverted course due to the McCarran airport lockdown and the enforced luggage check at his hotel in Las Vegas. Goldberg discusses his confusion regarding what had happened and his discovery of the tragic events that had occurred.
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Oral history interview with Mel Greb conducted by an unknown collector on March 11, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Greb discusses his experiences as a boxing fanatic in Las Vegas, Nevada. Greb also describes attending hundreds of boxing matches, including significant championship matches. Greb then explains the requirements to become a successful boxer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marion B. Earl conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 04, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses his personal Las Vegas, Nevada history, including his time as Chamber of Commerce president, restaurants he enjoyed on Fremont Street, and land distributors building up Downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Chet Carrigan conducted by Robert Kahre on February 17, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Carrigan first talks about his background in construction as well as some of his experiences in the Sheriff’s Posse before describing the major events and changes of Las Vegas, Nevada that he witnessed. Carrigan also talks about his family, the effects of the Great Depression on the city, the flooding problem, and the building of Hoover Dam. He also describes the first schools in Las Vegas, means of transportation, his laundry business, his experience on the volunteer fire department, the first movie theaters, and Cashman Field.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stan Irwin conducted by Cork Proctor on August 24, 2003 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Irwin talks about his early life performing comedy in nightclubs, hotels, and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, writing comedic material, his military service, starting a family, and racism in the Las vegas entertainment industry in the 1950s and 1960s. He also discusses his work as vice-president and executive producer for Sahara Nevada Corporation, bringing The Beatles to Las Vegas, Nevada when all other hotels refused to do so, and the band's appearance at the Las Vegas Convention Center. He continues talking about being a comedian, actor, and special materials writer and his life since retirement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Therese Thomas conducted by Dennis McBride on March 13, 1995 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In the interview, Thomas discusses her early life in Thistle, Utah before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in approximately 1931, where her father worked on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) construction. Thomas then talks about her early schooling in Boulder City, Nevada, her experiences as a swing and dance band musician, Block 16 in the Clark Las Vegas Townsite, and her memories of Las Vegas hotels and casinos. Other subjects Thomas covers include Las Vegas entertainers, entertainment venues, and women in the music industry during the 1930s.
Archival Collection