Oral history interview with Francisco Rufino-Parra conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 06, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Parra discusses his family background and immigrating to the United States from Mexico in 1989. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994 and describes his first impressions of the city. Parra then talks about his employment at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino as a dishwasher, being promoted, and becoming a member of Culinary Workers Union Local 226. He explains his role as shop steward for the Culinary Workers Union and describes the union strikes in 2018. Later, Parra discusses raising his three children in Las Vegas, living in a bilingual household, and how he has learned many languages from working in the hospitality industry. Lastly, Parra recalls visiting his birthplace and becoming a United States citizen.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with William J. Moore Jr. conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on May 05, 1981 and August 29, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In these interviews, Moore discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1941 to design and build the Last Frontier Hotel. Moore describes his work as an architect and recalls the other hotels he helped design. He then discusses purchasing mines in order to obtain their electrical components. Moore later discusses promoting and advertising for the Griffith theater chain and explains how he promoted before telecommunications. Later, Moore explains the designs of some of the structures he helped build. Lastly, Moore discusses the groups and organizations he was a member of, and recalls some of his memorable accomplishments.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jose Luis Vinas conducted by Nancy Hardy on May 27, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Vinas begins by describing his upbringing in Spain and his early interest in art. He discusses studying art and fashion design under his aunt, and later becoming a costume designer for stage shows in Paris, France. Vinas then describes moving to the United States to design costumes for the Casino de Paris and Vives Les Girls shows at the Dunes Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s and 1970s. Vinas talks about his experiences in show business and prominent people he has worked with, most notably Frederic Apcar, on productions over the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Judge John F. Mendoza conducted by an unnamed interviewer on the dates September 30, 2005, October 14, 2005, and October 21, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mendoza talks about his early life and his childhood while growing up in the Westside area of Las Vegas, Nevada. He details the lives of his grandparents as they lived through the Mexican Revolution. Mendoza describes how he grew up in a diverse community that consisted of people from different backgrounds and cultures. A big part of his childhood was when he would sell newspapers to people in public places like bars. He talks about his career and explains that he completed and graduated from law school after being discharged from the United States Army. A crucial event that took place during Mendoza's time in law school was the rise of Communism, and he explains that students and professors in his law school had various perspectives on how Communism would influence the government.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosemary Cleman (Conner) conducted by Beatrice Owens (Gillard) on March 8, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Conner discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to become a teacher for emotionally disturbed children and assisting with the creation of the Nevada Girls Training Center. Conner also discusses the segregation of the African American community. The interview concludes with Conner discussing the reemergence of mining communities in Nevada and her close interaction with Nevada governors during her career in social services.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nicole Charlton conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 23, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Charlton discusses her early life in Carlin, Nevada and relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990. Charlton is the Executive Secretary to the Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg and was among the first from the Coroner's office on the scene of the Route 91 shooting in Las Vegas.
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Oral history interview with Deryk and Melissa Engelland conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 23, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project.
Deryk Engelland is a professional hockey player and team spokesperson for the Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas. He and his wife, Melissa, discuss the events of the October 1 shooting and how the Golden Knights chose to honor the community that they were representing after this tragic event. Deryk and Melissa Engelland established the Vegas Born Foundation to honor first responders and community heroes, and the couple talks about the organization's accomplishments since its inception.
Subjects discussed include: Las Vegas healing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with José Luis Meléndrez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 20, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Meléndrez discusses his family background and early life in Baja California. He talks about his father’s decision to migrate to the United States, and attending Catholic schools in California, Nevada, and Texas as the family moved around the country. Meléndrez recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990, enrolling at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America affiliated program, Learning for Life. Later, Meléndrez describes attending the University of Michigan, earning a master’s degree in social work, and becoming executive director for the office of Community Partnerships in the UNLV School of Public Health. Lastly, Meléndrez discusses the future of the Las Vegas Latinx community, and becoming a founding member and chair for the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Mott Cecil conducted by Claytee D. White on April 24, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Helen Mott Cecil discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Westside, including seeing the Helldorado parades and Hoover (Boulder Dam). She also discusses working for Farmers Home Association and in the medical care and entertainment industry during the 1930s. She then discusses her divorce and other topics like the atomic bomb testing, the bus system, and downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alice Ward Boyer conducted by Joanne Goodwin on June 26, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Boyer opens her interview discussing her family and their life in Oklahoma from the 1910s to 1930s. Boyer then describes how she and her husband moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1937 to escape the dustbowl in the Midwest. She discusses adjusting to life in Las Vegas and what the city was like during wartime. She then talks about joining the Mesquite Club in 1944. Boyer explains the club's activities, many of which were integral to building the town of early Las Vegas, and prominent club members. Boyer describes the various roles she held in the club, including president from 1958 to 1959.
Archival Collection