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Oral history interview with Christian Chan conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Jerwin Tiu, and Stefani Evans on May 06, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Chan begins by describing her childhood in Hong Kong and later moving to San Francisco, California with her family, then to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965. She recalls attending Sunrise Acres and Roy Martin Middle School before graduating from Valley High School as valedictorian. In college, Chan attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and graduated with a degree in engineering. After college, she found work in the Las Vegas Valley Water District and became the first woman engineer. During her five years there, she excountered subtle sexism for the first time. Chan continues the interview by describing her work while she lived in California, as well as her years internationally living in the Philippines as well as Ecuador. Throughout the interview, Chan touches on topics ranging from identity, to her impressions of the different generations, discrimination, and the growth of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosamond McDougal conducted by Concepcion Fernandez on February 14, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McDougal discusses the history of education in Southern Nevada. She specifically talks about University of Nevada, Las Vegas and her experiences as an educator.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Luella Knuckles conducted by Paul Gentle on February 28, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Knuckles talks about her life in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and 1960s. She specifically talks about the conditions and treatment of the African-American community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl Snyder conducted by Jeff McGilvray on an unknown date in 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Snyder discusses living in Southern Nevada since 1945. He discusses his employment at the Nevada Test Site and explains how the test site was beneficial for the Nevada economy. Snyder then describes the increase of pollution, population growth, and environmental and social changes in Las Vegas. Lastly, Snyder discusses labor unions and their significance in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fran Wallace conducted by Connie Hansen on September 26, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wallace discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada with her family in 1940 for work opportunities available in Las Vegas. Wallace then recalls the development of Fremont Street and its transition to gambling. Later, Wallace describes environmental changes she has noticed throughout Las Vegas, specifically changes at Lake Mead.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hal G. Curtis conducted by Forrest Rupley on March 09, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Curtis discusses recreational activities in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s, and describes the changes in recreational activities throughout his lifetime. Curtis also recalls Lake Mead, changes to the location along with camp grounds in the surrounding area. Curtis goes on to discuss the maintenance and origins of labor unions in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Allen Sanders conducted by Julius Jones on July 06, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sanders discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943 in search of job opportunities. Sanders then recalls life in Las Vegas during World War II and describes the population increase after the war. Later, Sanders describes changes in the economy, society, and environment of Las Vegas, specifically the increase of hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ted Monson conducted by Rocky Fagundes on October 04, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Monson discusses building the first house in North Las Vegas, Nevada with his family including how they transported materials needed to build the house. He also describes Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), specifically the attention it brought to the area. Later, Monson discusses Block 16 and the development of the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mike Hines conducted by Perry Kaufman on an unknown date in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Hines discusses his early life in Kewanna, Indiana; education, military service, and his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a city attorney. After passing the Nevada Bar Exam in 1950, Hines opened his law office located on the northeast corner Third Street and Fremont Street.
Archival Collection