Oral history interview with Donn Blake conducted by George Kostic on April 17, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Blake discusses his role as a Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada and the various roles he held in historical preservation. Blake also discusses how Las Vegas has grown and evolved over the years. He describes the changes in airport locations over time and mentions the need for historical preservation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Russell Harvey conducted by Claytee D. White on May 20, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Harvey discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside community. He talks about recreation activities he participated in, the discrimination he experienced, and integration in Las Vegas in 1960. Harvey remembers attending Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas), working stage production for shows on the Strip, and being a member of the Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local Union 720. Lastly, Harvey discusses his involvement with the Nevada Minority Purchasing Council.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Monteria Hightower conducted by Claytee D. White on February 28, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Hightower discusses her career as a librarian who has worked across the United States. She begins by talking about her upbringing in Texas and the multiple universities she has attended to study library science. Hightower describes her experiences with racial discrimination as an African American woman and how racism affected her personal and professional life. Hightower also discusses her time as the Nevada State Librarian from 1998 to 2001 and living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Whitney conducted by Anna Huddleston on January 24, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Whitney discusses his involvement with the beverage and restaurant industry in Las Vegas, Nevada and life in the city during the 1960s. Whitney describes working as an alcohol distributor and salesman and driving around rural Nevada and the surrounding states selling liquor. Whitney talks about prominent locations and eateries in the Las Vegas area, and what he likes about living in the desert compared to his former residence in Chicago, Illinois. Whitney also discusses the presence of organized crime in Las Vegas and his associations with the mob through his family and his business.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Linda Faiss conducted by Claytee D. White on July 13, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Faiss begins by describing her upbringing in Carson City, Nevada before attending the University of Nevada, Reno to study journalism, later working at the
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 Stanley Hyman conducted by Eleanor G. Doble on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hyman discusses population growth in Las Vegas, Nevada and its transition into a metropolitan city. Hyman also discusses the kind of influence that Howard Hughes had in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hyman later discusses the first major convention held at the convention hall in Las Vegas, Nevada and his business in home insurance.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James E. Reeves conducted by Patricia Elliot on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reeves mainly discusses his work assisting the government perform nuclear weapons tests after being assigned to Las Vegas, Nevada by the Atomic Energy Commission.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dennis W. James conducted by Wayne Bennett on April 05, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, James reflects upon his 30-year career as a teacher and administrator in New York’s Sachem Central School District. He discusses the process by which he became a teacher and eventually an administrator, his regular responsibilities and challenges as principal, and his approach to school administration. He also discusses his experience being at school the day of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Andrew Walsh conducted by Barbara Tabach and Claytee D. White on February 13, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Walsh recalls his early life in New York City, New York, and working for the New York Police Department. He then recalls moving and joining the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in 1998. He discusses his current position as Deputy Chief/Division Commander of Tourist Safety, his role in the aftermath of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, and community healing.
Archival Collection