Oral history interview with Junell Bowman conducted by Anna Huddleston on March 09, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bowman begins by describing her early history as a singer in California, performing on the radio, different orchestras, and nightclubs before marrying her husband and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. Bowman discusses becoming a sketch artist after managing an unsuccessful business, doing portraits and caricatures of people in the casinos, at conventions, and on the Las Vegas Strip. She talks about the celebrities and entertainers she met and did caricatures for while working at casinos like the Stardust and Riviera, and the amount of work that went into being a professional sketch artist.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sidney Lowe conducted by Claytee D. White on January 22, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Lowe begins the interview by discussing her upbringing in Alabama and South Carolina and her experiences with racial segregation and discrimination. She continues, describing places she has lived, her relationship with the father of her children, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1982. Lowe talks about life in Las Vegas during the 1980s, obtaining a position in the James R. Dickinson Library at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as a library assistant, and her education. Lowe concludes by discussing her career working for the UNLV library system and the library's function on campus.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John F. Cahlan conducted by Larry DuRussel on July 02, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan discusses how Las Vegas, Nevada was developed, how Nellis Air Force Base was built and its purposes, and how water was originally supplied to Las Vegas. Cahlan also mentions the various Hollywood stars he met during his career as a journalist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Cahlan lastly discusses atomic testing conducted in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kay Dwyer conducted by Claytee D. White on August 16, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Dwyer discusses moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1942 when her father was hired by Basic Magnesium, Incorporated. She also discusses attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, formerly named Nevada Southern University, and having a career as a high school teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pearl Hughes conducted by Katherine D. Beal on February 11, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Hughes discusses her family's early arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada after moving from Salinas, California. Her family then bought and operated a motel in North Las Vegas, Nevada between the late 1940s to 1950. Hughes also discusses the growth of the hotel and casino industry, city urban development, community interactions, Las Vegas, Nevada celebrities, atomic testing, and President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Smith conducted by Dennis McBride on June 28, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses his life as a priest of the Christian Orthodox church and a gay man. He describes his experiences living in an Orthodox monastery, his interactions with the gay community of Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1960s, and other gay priests Smith has known. Smith also details bringing in speakers for talks with his gay congregation to provide information on topics including sexually transmitted diseases and careers. He concludes by discussing his involvement with gay student groups at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jose F. Lopez conducted by Elizabeth A. Hulin on September 11, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Lopez reflects upon his 31-year career as a teacher and administrator in Las Vegas, New Mexico from the 1950s to the 1990s. He discusses his educational background, and how needs for bilingual education programs influenced his decision to become a teacher. He then describes the process by which he became principal and superintendent, discusses his regular responsibilities and challenges, and offers suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Henry E. Wellman conducted by Rebecca Rounds on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wellman discusses his personal history and the history of Boulder City, Nevada. Wellman describes the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), being a laborer working on the dam, and life in Boulder City during the 1940s. He talks about the United States government selling housing and land after the completion of Hoover Dam and how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed and expanded. Wellman also discusses the legalization of alcohol in Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fred O. Wharton conducted by William B. Stabler on March 10, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wharton describes the United States Air Force base in Tonopah, Nevada that was used to train B-29 bomber pilots during World War II. He also describes mining in Tonopah and in the greater Nye County, Nevada area, including what kinds of metals they mined and the processes used to extract them. Lastly, Wharton discusses the history of the railroads in Nye County, living in rural Nevada, and how Tonopah has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Andrea Gardea conducted by Barbara Tabach on June 26, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Gardea starts talking about her early life, family, and family history. She explains why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002 and why she chose to attend University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After, Gardea describes what happened before and during the Route 91 Harvest festival, what she experienced during the shooting, and her journey in escaping the scene. She talks about the aftermath of the shooting, the trauma and PTSD experienced, and her healing process. Gardea also talks about the making of Engelland’s Vegas Born Heroes Foundation in 2018, what they do, and what they represent. Lastly, she talks about her opinions on gun control and her viewpoint on making peace.
Archival Collection