Oral history interview with Harvey Allen conducted by Claytee D. White on December 12, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Allen speaks about working for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, working in a segregated casino, and the opening of the first integrated casino in Las Vegas, Nevada: The Moulin Rouge. In addition, he spoke about hosting the "All-Nighters Club Convention", a popular talk show on KDON radio, and teaching classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for 31 years.
Oral history interviews with Jane Heenan conducted by Dennis McBride on June 21 and 28, and August 30, 2005 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In the interviews, Heenan begins by clarifying the vocabulary used within the transgender and queer communities for self-identification, comparing these terms with terms used in the medical and psychological fields. They then discusses the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation. Next, Heenan recalls growing up and in Chicago, Illinois, coming out in the 1990s, and undergoing sex reassignment surgery. Lastly, they talk about arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994, the Las Vegas transgender support and advocacy community, and Las Vegas transgender organizations.
Oral history interview with David Welles conducted by Patrick Carlton on March 27, 2002 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Welles first relates his family background and the circumstances that led to the family settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s. He relates numerous anecdotes about growing up and attending school, and then explains how a back problem ended his chances for a career in the Navy and led him to consider less physically demanding fields. He took jobs surveying and drafting, which led to his decision to study architectural engineering, taking his degree at the University of Oklahoma. Meeting and marrying while he was in Oklahoma, the couple returned to Las Vegas, where he took multiple jobs at different architectural and engineering firms, gaining experience toward licensure as an architect. By the early 1970s, he had established his own firm with a partner, gaining a state contract to build elementary schools. Welles then speaks at length about partnering with the Daly Group to design and build the UNLV Lied Library and ends the interview with another extended discussion of his long-time involvement in the Rotary Club.
Oral history interview with Shirley Allen conducted by Nancy Hardy on June 21, 2003 for the Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Allen discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with her family and starting dancing professionally while attending university. Her first job was at the Riviera in 1964, working as a showgirl. She explains that the work was not difficult and they were not asked to do anything inappropriate, but they did have to pay for their own cocktail dresses and accessories. She also explains that she was a "covered dancer" in the beginning but by the late 1960s she had to "uncover" (work topless) to be employed. She then talks about working in Pzazz! '68 at the Stardust Resort Hotel and Casino, after auditioning for Fluff LeCoque, Donn Arden's company captain. She also talks about her impression of Miss Bluebell and Donn Arden. She spends some time talking about what life was like backstage, relations between the girls, and meeting celebrities, her first experience with topless dancing in Lido de Paris, and how the backstage dressing areas were assigned and the difficulty of fast changes between sets. Later, she talks about things that can go wrong, from forgeting choreography to the more serious issue of the HIV/AIDS epidemic that swept through the shows in the 1980s.
Oral history interview with Jack W. Cornell conducted by Richard Fesler on February 18, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Jack Cornell discusses historical buildings in Nevada, his experiences as an airplane mechanic for the Army Air Corps during World War II, the effects of the Great Depression, when he assisted an air escort for President Franklin Roosevelt, when he witnessed one of the atomic tests, and how the rural area in Manhattan, Nevada has changed over time.
Oral history interview with Clay Lynch conducted by Linda M. Trust on June 28, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Lynch discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Illinois in July 1955, his education at the University of Pittsburgh, Nevada social welfare programs, and Las Vegas, Nevada casino showrooms. Lynch also briefly discusses his work as a United States Army engineer training officer, as well as a transportation engineering consultant and contractor for his company, Lynch Brothers.
Oral history interview with Saul Wesley conducted by David Schwartz on January 13, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Wesley discusses the distinction between the roles of a director and of a vice president in slot management. He also describes how the slot department works within various casinos such as the MGM Grand Hotel (now Bally’s) and the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino.
Oral history interview with Gordon Reno conducted by Brian Galvin on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reno describes his early life living in Henderson, Nevada and watching the city of Las Vegas, Nevada expand over time. Reno discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam and how it was once heavily guarded, as well as Mormonism in Las Vegas. Reno also talks about being stationed at a U.S. Marine base at Lake Mead, his career as a police officer in North Las Vegas, and the Basque people and their influence in Nevada.
Oral history interviews with Betty (Elizabeth) Krolak conducted by Irene Rostine on November 25, 1995 and September 23, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview Krolak discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in April of 1962 with her husband and six children. Krolak then discusses her unexpected entry into the real estate business and her experiences in the industry. Krolak talks about the scope of the Las Vegas real estate scene, some of its regulations at the time, and the organizations that had influence over real estate brokers. Finally, Krolak describes opening her own real estate business in 1964.
Oral history interview with Marie Heher conducted by her daughter Sharon Heher on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Heher discusses her early life in Boulder City, Nevada and Henderson, Nevada, as well as her education in Reno, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. Heher also discusses the Helldorado parades and her experiences with the Union Pacific Train Depot in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.