Oral history interviews with Olmedo Hoyos conducted by Marcela Rodriguez-Campo on October 29, 2018 and November 9, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Hoyos talks about his childhood, family, and work life in Bogota, Colombia. He talks about his struggles as a young child, his community, and poverty. He talks about Colombian culture and traditions and how he included that in his restaurants. Hoyos then explains the problems and corruption that was happening in Colombia and the Revolutionary Movement of Laborers (MOIR). He immigrated to the United States twice and spoke about his journey, the discrimination between ethnicities, and difference in treatment of Mexicans and Colombians in jail. He recounted his process of getting a permit, residence, and citizenry. He explains why he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000 and his past jobs. He describes the process of opening up a restaurant, making it the first Colombian restaurant in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Nel Downing conducted by Scottie Rector in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Downing first talks about the first properties in the Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada area before talking about the forms of transportation available in Las Vegas. She also talks about her work with the Clark County Housing Authority, the development of Henderson, some of the early churches, and the beginnings of gambling in Henderson. She then discusses gambling, life in Nevada, the Helldorado parade, and inflation over time.
Oral history interview with Edward Baca conducted by Claytee D. White on January 28, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Baca opens his interview describing his parents and his youth in Wyoming. He then discusses moving to Bryce, Utah in the 1940s, his career in coal mining, and the process of removing coal from the mine. Baca describes his brief time working for the federal government, going to trade school to learn morse code, and working for the railroad. He then talks about switching careers to to work as an air conditioning insulator, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969. Baca then describes how he found religion, his efforts to learn more about Christianity, and forming a ministry where he preaches. He discusses his Christian radio program, his singing ministry, and his efforts to save a Christian radio station from closing. Lastly, Baca discusses his religious music albums, touring in a religious music group, and faith healing.
Oral history interview With Carolyn Sparks conducted by Claytee D. White on June 7, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sparks describes her childhood growing up in Overton, Nevada where her father worked as a mining engineer. Later the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where her father invested in the El Cortez and Showboat hotels. Sparks received a degree from the University of California, Berkeley before returning to Las Vegas to work at an insurance company, where she met her husband, Kenneth. Sparks discusses their shared adventure insuring many of the businesses on the Las Vegas Strip while simultaneously entering the world of philanthropy. Sparks became area Chairperson of the American Cancer Society, a fundraiser for Junior Mesquite Club, and founded the Nevada Children's Center. Sparks served on the Nevada Board of Regents from 1984 to 1996, on the Board of Directors of the Showboat Hotel & Casino, and as president of the family's International Insurance Services, Ltd.
Oral history interview with Raya Meron conducted by Claytee D. White on July 14, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Meron discusses her upbringing in Israel, moving to Istanbul with her husband, and immigrating to Canada after their divorce. Meron also talks about her career as a showgirl in Las Vegas, Nevada, including being in the Vive les Girls road show in 1965. She then discusses her involvement in helping Cambodian refugees.
Oral history interview with Lois Bell conducted by Sam Cusimano on unknown date for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bell discusses her time as a cocktail waitress in various casinos, including her experiences of waiting on various celebrities. Bell also describes the changes of the Las Vegas Strip, her account of witnessing atomic testing events, and her position at Roxie’s, a brothel that existed during the early days of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with William Evans conducted by Aaron Bullock on April 24, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Evans reflects upon his 40 year-career as a teacher and school administrator, starting with the Clark County School District in 1963. He discusses his experiences teaching in West Las Vegas, his experiences with school integration, and the influence of his life experiences on his philosophy of education.
Oral history interview with Jessica Hutchings conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 21, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Jessica Hutchings discusses her experience flying to Las Vegas, Nevada on the night of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting. She speaks of her flight's detour to Phoenix, Arizona, and her discovery of the shooting. Hutchings explains how Congregation Ner Tamid, where she is a cantor, contributed to the community healing after the tragedy, including their organization of vigils, a music fundraiser called "Vegas Strong in Song," and discussing the event with teenage Hebrew School students who had questions and concerns about the shooting.
Oral history interview with Amy Ayoub conducted by Claytee D. White on September 18, 2023 and May 30, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Ayoub describes growing up in Cuba and Las Vegas, Nevada, and attending a high school in Caliente for troubled teenaged girls. When Ayoub took charge of her life in the late 1970s, she got a position at the Holiday Casino working for Claudine Williams. She recalls watching Williams work, getting to know everyone in Nevada's leadership positions, and later volunteering for numerous political campaigns. Ayoub details her various careers including the Nevada Athletic Commission, advocating for AB67, political fundraising, and eventually public speaking coach. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Oral history interview with Dr. Steven Henick conducted by Jackie Beck on March 03, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Henick reflects upon his 25-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He describes his approach to school administration, and the ways in which his approach shaped his interactions with teachers and experiences with testing. He also discusses his experience working as a central office administrator, and explains different pressures that the central office encounters.