Oral history interview with David L. Stevenson conducted by Charles Jackson on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stevenson discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stevenson discusses his early education and later working at chemical plants in Henderson, Nevada during his teens. Stevenson continues by recalling his career as a chemist at the Nevada Test Site, the purpose of the nuclear tests he was involved in, and the fallout that was carried across the country due to the testing. He also describes the growth of Las Vegas and its economy. Finally, Stevenson talks about being a real estate agent in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ann L. Stewart conducted by Mari C. Snyder on February 24, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stewart discusses her personal history and Las Vegas, Nevada history. She describes working at the Nevada Test Site, observing nuclear weapons tests, and working on the Kelso-Turner housing project. Stewart discusses her non-fiction writing and the subjects of her writing, as well as being published by local newspapers. She describes the history of higher education in Las Vegas and the struggles senior citizens face as they get older. Stewart also talks about her Methodist faith, historic structures in Las Vegas, racial segregation in the city, and the criminal activity of juveniles.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph E. Sullivan conducted by Heather Comer on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sullivan discusses his personal history growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada after moving there from Denver, Colorado in 1928. Sullivan describes the history of Las Vegas and some of its particular aspects, including the Helldorado Festival and how snakes were driven out of the Lake Mead area to create the lake. He also describes working in one of the first Las Vegas clubs and his latest career owning a slot machine company. Sullivan goes on to discuss the development of McCarran International Airport, how Las Vegas has changed, and the future of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Iona Thompson conducted by Lisa C. Krueger on March 08, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses different aspects of life in Las Vegas, Nevada during World War II. Thompson describes the rationing of food and fuel, as well as the increased military presence in Las Vegas and how that affected the city. Thompson also describes how Las Vegas has changed since the 1940s, prominent locations in the city such as Lorenzi Park and McCarran Field, and pollution caused by the chemical and metal plants in Henderson, Nevada. Lastly, she talks about flight and bombing trainings in Las Vegas and working at the Las Vegas Army Gunnery School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nadine Tobin conducted by Pamella Perry on February 10, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tobin discusses her personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Tobin describes moving to Las Vegas as a child in 1941, life in the city, and how the city has changed and grown. Tobin then talks about the arrival of Bugsy Siegel; new casinos in Las Vegas; and the El Dorado Ranch, a divorce ranch. She goes on to discuss her career as a photograph lab technician, how photographs were developed, new printing technology, and printing photographs for the Atomic Energy Commission and Nevada Highway Patrol. Lastly, she discusses her recreation activities and the Helldorado Parade.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Irma Varela conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 04, 2018 and March 05, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In these interviews, Varela talks about her upbringing in Zacatecas, Mexico, her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1989, and how religion has affected her life. She also describes her work as the Cultural Program Supervisor at Winchester Community Center, and her career in preserving Hispanic cultural traditions in Las Vegas. Varela talks about being an active leader in local Las Vegas organizations and events such as the Mexico Vivo Dancing Company, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, and the International Food and Folklife Festival.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lena Brass conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 17, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brass discusses her upbringing in Winsboro, Louisiana and describes living during segregation. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1975 with her husband, her employment at Nevada State Bank, and participating in the Martin Luther King parade. Brass then talks about the advancement of banking technology, the utilization of computers, and her experience as an African American bank manager. Later, Brass talks of her mentors, her faith, and the economic downturn of Jackson Street businesses in the Westside. Lastly, Brass discusses the future of the African American community in Las Vegas, the Westside, and business networking with the church community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Justin Favela conducted by Monserrath Hernández on May 16, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Favela discusses issues of colorism in the Latinx community, social hierarchies, and the term “Latinx”. He talks about his Mexican and Guatemalan roots, and being involved in the arts. Favela recalls his father’s immigration story from Mexico to the United States, growing up with parents who worked in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas, Nevada, and his early interests in podcasting. Later, Favela discusses identifying as queer, having his art displayed at exhibits, and creating new relationships through his podcasts. Lastly, Favela talks about what “Latinidad” means to him.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jacqueline Barker conducted by Claytee D. White on February 14, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Barker discusses her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside. She talks about the importance of the church in the Westside and the significance of education in her family. Barker remembers her father’s involvement with school integration in Las Vegas, the sixth grade centers, and the racism she experienced while attending the University of Nevada, Reno during the 1970s. Later, Barker compares her experience in higher education to that of her mother’s, and the race riots in 1969. Lastly, Barker discusses the history of African Americans in unions, her career in education, and the social and psychological impacts that African Americans faced in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brandon Snook conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 14, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Colonel Brandon Snook describes his military career as a trauma surgeon and his job at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he has been stationed since 2004. He shares details about Sustained Medical and Readiness Trained (SMART), a program that brings physicians, nurses, and technicians from the around the world to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC) for intensive medical training. Snook also discusses the night of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting when he and others from Nellis were called in to UMC to treat the injured.
Archival Collection