Oral history interview with Lidia Bonilla conducted by Maribel Estrada Calderón, Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez, and Barbara Tabach on February 19, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Bonilla begins the interview by discussing her and her family's early life in Panama. Bonilla shares her feelings on the United States' involvement in Panamanian politics as she grew up. She moved to the United States in 1976 and immigrated after her marriage to a United States citizen. While married, she traveled with her husband to his various military postings, including Spain. Bonilla discusses her experiences as the spouse of a military member and her experiences raising children in a military household. In 1991, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she began work for the Luxor Hotel and Casino. She discusses founding the Comunidad Panameña Las Vegas, a cultural group for Panamanians in Las Vegas, as well as her other civic engagements.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Trippy conducted by Claytee D. White on October 21, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Trippy begins by describing his upbringing in Denver, Colorado and his early interests in art, which eventually lead him to study at the Colorado Institute of Art while working as an illustrator for the military in Fort Carson, Colorado. He discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 to work as an artist at Nellis Air Force Base creating paintings, and he explains how he made a bronze eagle sculpture as a memorial to fallen fighter pilots. Trippy talks about being a part of the Desert Sculptors group, which was a collective of local artists and sculptors who were briefly based in Lorenzi Park, where they also made the bust of David G. Lorenzi. Trippy also discusses constructing his own personal studio, taking art classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and specific artists he worked with or was friends with.
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Oral history interview with Fluff LeCoque conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 05, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. LeCoque discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada’s entertainment industry. LeCoque recalls her dance experience in Las Vegas including work at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino, and performing as a principal dancer for Arden-Fletcher Productions at the Desert Inn. LeCoque retired from dancing in 1970 but recalls being lured out of retirement by Donn Arden to become company manager of Jubilee at the new MGM Grand Hotel (later renamed Bally's). Finally, she talks about the economic, social, and political changes that occurred in Las Vegas after World War II.
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Oral history interview with Paris Oddo conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Oddo discusses her early life in Detroit, Michigan. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1984, becoming an electrician, and being a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W) Local Union 357. Oddo talks about completing a five-year apprenticeship program offered by the Union, and her experience as a female electrician. She remembers her employment at the Nevada Test Site, working closely with radioactive materials, and being diagnosed with illnesses due to radioactive exposure while at the Nevada Test Site. Lastly, Oddo expresses her concerns over nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain.
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Oral history interview with Ida Perkins conducted by Alexa Sweeny on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Perkins discusses her personal history growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Perkins talks about recreational activities she participated in, being involved in church, and living in the Windsor Park housing area in North Las Vegas. She then recalls her educational experience in Las Vegas, being involved in school sports, and West Las Vegas housing. Later, Perkins describes businesses on the Westside, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and playing on the women’s basketball team, the Lady Rebels. Lastly, Perkins discusses her contributions in forming the Foxy Ladies Organization, and also changes in Las Vegas.
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Oral history interview with Rejoyce Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on June 12, 1996 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Williams discusses coming to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and six children in 1960, working in several positions at hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, and participating in the Culinary Union strike in 1970.
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Oral history interview with Paul Sorensen conducted by Bill Friday on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sorensen discusses the history of Clark County and Las Vegas, Nevada. Sorensen discusses education in Las Vegas, reasons for the growth of Clark County, and the establishment of the Nevada Test Site. Sorensen later describes how Las Vegas and its school system has changed, and discusses who he believes are moving to live in Las Vegas the most. Sorensen goes on to discuss racial segregation in Las Vegas and racial integration in the schools via busing.
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Oral history interview with Horrace Smith conducted by Heather Mulgrew on April 01, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith reflects upon his experience as an administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses his first experiences at Western High School, and how he was a teacher and coach before entering administration. He discusses his experiences with standardized testing, school integration and bilingual education, and how these experiences shaped his approach to school administration. He also discusses challenges that he faced with school overcrowding and safety, and describes his working relationship with teachers, administrators, and parents. He offers suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration, and stresses the importance of the principal being present and active within the local community.
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Oral history interview with Lee Washington conducted by Aleya Ford Wheaton on November 30, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Washington discusses his personal history, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963, and his initial reactions to the city. He talks about his employment at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino as well as joining the Culinary Workers Union in 1974. Washington then describes church activity that he and his family were involved in at Most High Church and his church's significance to the West Las Vegas community. Lastly, he talks about the development and growth of businesses on the Westside.
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Oral history interview with Nittaya Parawong conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Stefani Evans, and Jerwin Tiu on March 17, 2022 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
In this interview, Nittaya Parawong discusses her upbringing in Northeastern Thailand, her parents' restaurant and family recipes, and her business education in Bangkok, Thailand as a teenager. Wanting more than a corporate lifestyle, Parawong decided to immigrate to the United States, briefly living in Orlando, Florida before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls bussing tables at a local Thai restaurant and attending English classes at College of Southern Nevada (CSN) before opening her own restaurant, Jasmine Thai Gourmet, at the age of 25. Now, Parawong is the owner of Nittaya's Secret Kitchen, Nittaya's Little Kitchen, and Block9 Thai Street Eats in Las Vegas. She shares memories and traditions of Thai celebrations, her views on Buddhism, personal cooking philosophy, and restaurant offerings.
Archival Collection