Oral history interview with Jack K. Leavitt conducted by Alick Dziabczenko on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Leavitt describes his life as a child living in early Las Vegas, Nevada during the Great Depression. Leavitt also describes seeing President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech at Hoover (Boulder) Dam, the plane crash that resulted in Carole Lombard's death, and the construction of Nellis Air Force Base. The reaction of Las Vegas, Nevada to the outbreak of World War II is discussed, but information is limited, as Leavitt explains he was deployed in North Africa and Italy during the majority of that period. Finally, Leavitt talks about his career as a real estate broker in Las Vegas, and how real estate has evolved in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Emilie Wanderer conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin throughout February 2000 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Wanderer begins her interview with a thorough discussion of her family history and her parent's influence on her life. Next Wanderer discusses attending law school and her first job at the U.S Attorney's office in New York state. Then Wanderer talks about opening her law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada and eventually becoming the first mother and son law team in the state. Wanderer also discusses her appointment by the American Bar Association and National Association of Women Lawyers to assess the state of family court in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Quander conducted by Claytee D. White on October 27, 2005 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Quander, who served as a flight officer in the Army Air Corps first all-Black fighter and bomber squadrons known collectively as the Tuskegee Airmen, talks about his upbringing in Washington, D.C., his early interest in flight, and his decision to train as a pilot at the outset of World War II. Quander talks about his training and reflects on both the process of learning to fly and the discrimination that the cadets experienced from the predominately white senior officers. He then talks about his post-military education and his career with the federal government, working as an investigator for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and the United States Attorney's strike force on organized crime. He ends the interview describing his retirement and travel, his move to Las Vegas, Nevada, and his views on war, the Department of Homeland Security, and his perceptions of Las Vegas' growth.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Wayne Stacy conducted by his son, Russell Stacy, on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stacy discusses his personal history and living in Boulder City, Nevada before eventually moving to Henderson, Nevada. Stacy describes the reasons why he moved to Boulder City as opposed to Las Vegas, Nevada, and the history of Boulder City. Stacy also describes how Boulder City and Henderson have changed, the history of Henderson, gambling, and nuclear tests.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Margaret Casey conducted by Claytee D. White on January 13, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Margaret Casey discusses the female workers during World War II (WWII). She discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history during the mid-century. She also discusses the Mesquite Club, the ways of family life including the grocery stores, restaurants and the various leisure activities like gardening and golf. Casey then discussses topics such as the atomic testing, Howard Hughes and the transformation of Las Vegas' transportation and downtown.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eric Calvillo conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on June 18, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Calvillo discusses his early life in San Jose, California before eventually moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. He talks about completing a culinary internship at the Picasso restaurant in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino and how he has always been interested in the arts. Calvillo then describes his career in art as a painter, his Día de los Muertos inspired art, and showcasing his art pieces at First Friday in the Las Vegas Arts District. Later, Calvillo talks about making art more accessible, commissioned art pieces he has made, and explains the time it takes him to finish a piece. Lastly, Calvillo discusses his thoughts on the term Latinx, the art scene in Las Vegas, and his future plans as an artist.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Allen Jr. conducted by Carlton Kelley on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Robert Allen discusses his career in acting and his role in the entertainment business in Las Vegas, Nevada. Allen then discusses the growth of Las Vegas, the role of mining in Southern Nevada, and the work of instrumental political figures. Allen also discusses the role of the gaming industry, the availability of recreational activities, the modes of transportation available to locals, television and movie productions in which he was involved, and dining options for Las Vegas locals.
Archival Collection
Materials contain photographic slides and prints of commissions and murals painted by Robert Beckmann from 1977 to 2005. The materials primarily depict murals in government buildings and private businesses.
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Yorgo Kagafas conducted by Claytee White on January 14, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Projects. Kagafas discusses becoming an urban planner for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999 and implementing the neighborhood planning process.
Archival Collection