On March 1st, 1981, Glorialyn Gutierrez interviewed Emily McKinley (b. April 28, 1930 in Las Vegas, Nevada) about her life in the Las Vegas Valley. McKinley begins by speaking about her childhood, her siblings and her extended family. McKinley gives a variety of anecdotes about being raised in Las Vegas, her family’s economic hardships and the house she grew up in. Lastly, McKinley talks about the businesses she owned with her husband, their hardships and her time working multiple jobs.
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Oral history interview with Charlie Lombardo conducted by David G. Schwartz on June 28, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Lombardo discusses working with coin wrapping machines, the 1980 MGM Grand fire, and learning the operational and technical aspects of slot machines. Lombardo also speaks about what he believes makes both good and bad slot managers, slot floors, and new slot machines. He then describes some of the changes in slots and slot management over the years, including both the Megabucks and Pot of Gold slot jackpots.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Juan Saa conducted by David G. Schwartz on November 21, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Saa discusses his start in the technical side and his eventual move into an operational role in the casino industry. He talks about his experience as a director, specifically the responsibilities involved, and the type of staff being supervised. Saa then describes what he believes are the biggest changes in the slot industry, specifically with ticket-in, ticket-out (TITO); and slot analysis.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Donna George conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 14, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, George discusses growing up in Las Vegas and the changes in the city. She then talks about her husband, David George, and his employment at the Nevada Test Site. George recalls David’s transportation to and from the test site, how the two would communicate when David was working, and concerns about exposure to radiation. Lastly, she discusses the change from aboveground testing to underground testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marie Padgett conducted by Tori Ascolillo on April 30, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Padgett discusses her family moving from Arkansas to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955. Padgett discusses her involvement in local organizations including the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the Women's Council, and the Allied Arts Council. She later discusses changes in Las Vegas such as the building of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the growth of the Strip, World War II, and atomic bomb testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Pearl conducted by Cameron Holloway on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pearl recalls his first impressions of Las Vegas, Nevada when arriving in 1949. Pearl then discusses the environmental and social changes in Las Vegas. Pearl later describes his work as a boxing referee and recalls stories of some of the matches that he refereed. Lastly, Pearl discusses the Athletic Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and talks about the growth of athletics at UNLV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dorothy Eisenberg conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on March 08, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Eisenberg starts this interview by discussing her personal history and growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She describes living through World War II, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964, and the Jewish community that she was involved with at Temple Beth Sholom. Lastly, Eisenberg talks about being a founding member of the League of Women Voters in Las Vegas and racial integration in Clark County schools. Digital audio and transcript available.
Archival Collection