Oral history interview with Winnie Prince conducted by Irene Rostine on May 18, 1995 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Prince opens her interview by discussing her history in Las Vegas, Nevada, which began when she moved to the city in 1942. Prince describes her husband's experiences living in a Las Vegas tent city, and her life in St. George, Utah prior to her move to Las Vegas. She also talks about her brief employment at the Basic Magnesium plant just before the end of World War II. Prince discusses her job responsibilities at the plant, and the importance of accuracy in her job as a shell casting inspector. Lastly, she describes her husband's job as a guard at the Basic Magnesium plant and the ways rationing affected daily life, including commuting to work and feeding her family.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Matson conducted by Ken Rose on February 23, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Matson discusses his early life in Pensacola, Florida and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work in resort and housing construction in 1952. Matson also discusses his family, his part-time work as a personal security guard, and the growth of Las Vegas. Lastly, he discusses African American racial discrimination and economic opportunities in Las Vegas in the 1950s to the 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jocelyn Cortez conducted by Nathalie Martinez on May 18, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cortez discusses her family history in El Salvador and her parents' emigration to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980. She talks about the challenge of adjusting to city life, growing up on the Eastside of Las Vegas, and her educational experience. Cortez describes her involvement in the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL), and attending law school at the University of Arizona. Later, Cortez discusses the challenges of being an immigration attorney, and being elected president of the Latino Bar Association. Lastly, Cortez talks about changes in Las Vegas and the Latinx community.
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Oral history interview with Gaelan Felt conducted by Perry Kaufman in approximately 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Felt describes working at the Nevada Test Site and the effect the site had on Las Vegas, Nevada. Felt explains why Nevada was chosen as the location for the site, how they tested nuclear weapons, and how the local residents responded to the tests with varying levels of concern. He also talks about other aspects of the test site's history, such as workers' housing, and how Las Vegas has developed and changed.
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 interviews with Catherine Gullo (C.G.) Bellver conducted by Caryll Batt Dziedziak on November 13, 1995, November 20, 1995, and December 04, 1995 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Bellver begins her interviews by discussing gender roles within her family and extended family, and how those shaped her early life and education. Bellver then discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and her career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she began as a Spanish professor. Bellver then talks about her involvement in starting and maintaining a Women's Studies Program at the UNLV. Bellver discusses the initial steps she took to create the department, the original curriculum, and student reception of the courses. Later, Bellver talks about the successes and challenges of the Women's Studies program several years after it's establishment.
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Oral history interview with Jacqueline Evans conducted by Susan Rapport on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Jacqueline Evans discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also talks about her extracurricular activities in high school, recreational activities, and other forms of entertainment. She also discusses political events in the 1960s, her husband's involvement in Native American affairs, and the flooding problem in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mario Sandoval conducted by Claytee D. White on December 06, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Sandoval discusses his mother’s emigration story to the United States from Mexico and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. He recalls his first memories of the city, living on the Westside, and segregation at the time. Sandoval talks about his employment at the Hilton Hotel at the age of sixteen and other hotels on the Strip. Lastly, Sandoval discusses Fremont Street from the 1970s to 1990s, changes in downtown Las Vegas, and his experience as a member of the Culinary Workers Union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fernando Rocha conducted by Nathalie Martinez and Barbara Tabach on November 13, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Fernando Rocha recalls growing up in Santa Ana, California and in Sunrise Manor in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fernando Rocha is a Mexican professional who is committed to giving back to the Latinx youth of Las Vegas. He talks about his responsibility as a translator in his family with his siblings. He credits his academic and professional success to the Clark County School District and programs such as GEAR UP and Upward Bound. After studying at Hofstra University, he came back to Las Vegas to work with Wells Fargo and is an active community member as co-founder of the Nevada Youth Coalition and work through the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and Nevada Promise Mentor at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN).
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Oral history interview with Kirk Kerkorian conducted by K.J. Evans on February 10, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview Kirk Kerkorian discusses Howard Hughes and Jerry Williams and how they were two men who he respected and learned from. He also talks about how Jerry Williams introduced him to Las Vegas, Nevada. He then discusses how he was ecstatic when he saw Las Vegas for the first time and how he helped build Bally's, The International, and the MGM Grand Hotel.
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