Oral history interview with Chris Erbe conducted by Jennifer Warner on November 15, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Erbe reflects upon his more than 20-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses the process by which he became a teacher, and describes how his experiences as a teacher shaped his approach to school administration. He describes his regular responsibilities as principal, some of his biggest challenges including safety threats, and what he believes makes an effective administrator.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ronald (Ron) Tomlin conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Tomlin recalls growing up as child with his mother, Dorothy Dalton Tomlin, who started the Dotty Dee Dancers in 1952. Ron recalls spending much of his childhood with his grandmother while his mother toured the country with the Dotty Dee Dancers. In 1955, his father, Donald Sherwood Tomlin, opened a clothing store, Scottie's Clothing Store, in the Moulin Rouge shopping strip on the Westside of Las Vegas, where he sold the latest fashion trends to Black men. Ron traveled across country with his parents after high school, helped them run a small resort on the Russian River called the Bohemian Grove, and then began his photography career. Throughout his career as a photographer, he has photographed Mike Tyson, Naomi Campbell, and Elvis. Tomlin also talks about having a passion for dancing, like his mother.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stanley Paher conducted by Claytee D. White on March 20, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Paher recalls his childhood, being born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. His family built and owned the Gateway Auto Court, now the Gateway Motel, at the corner of Las Vegas and Charleston Boulevards. After a brief period serving in the United States Navy and obtaining a bachelor's degree, Paher entered the master's program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Paher discusses his love of researching and writing about Nevada ghost towns, including writing his first book on the subject in 1970. He recalls seeing the physical book on the printing press, and talks about the profound impact that moment had on his life. It led to the founding of Nevada Publications, and his involvement with 59 Las Vegas and northern Nevada authors from 1970 through 2023. Paher has written fifteen books on Nevada, Arizona, and California.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arby L. Hambric conducted by Claytee D. White on September 23, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Hambric discusses serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War in the United States Navy, while recalling racial experiences in the military. He also talks about moving to Nevada in 1976 and protesting against the closing of F Street from 2008 to 2014, when the street was reopened.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Hausch conducted by Claytee D. White on April 07, 2009 and April 10, 2009 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Hausch discusses her working as a reporter at the Las Vegas Review-Journal and teaching journalism at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also discusses marrying Bob Coffin, buying the Gubler House in the John S. Park Neighborhood, and with her husband, working to have the neighborhood designated a historic neighborhood.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with LaVaun Hendrix conducted by Judy Laliberte on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss how Hendrix originally came to Nevada, her occupational history, and differences between the school system in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hendrix explains how a changing school system has affected her job as a teacher and her students. She goes on to talk about the above-ground atomic tests, Helldorado, changes to the desert, and Nevada during World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold Wadman conducted by Dennis McBride on December 21, 1986 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In this short interview, Wadman talks about running away from his childhood home in Ogden, Utah at the age of thirteen. He explains how he hitchhiked to Nevada, bypassing Las Vegas and reaching Boulder City, Nevada in the middle of the night. He explains how he worked odd jobs before a brief employment at the dam site as a waterboy; possibly the youngest person to work on the dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Sparrow conducted by Lonnie McDonald on March 09, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sparrow discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sparrow discusses life in early Las Vegas, how Las Vegas has changed, and the development of the Strip. Sparrow also discusses race relations in Las Vegas and the establishment of the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Foster conducted by Kelley Tuchman on March 02, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Foster first talks about his background in the military and his eventual teaching experience in special education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Foster then discusses helping the development of the special education field in Clark County and throughout the country, including the legislation and training toward the education program itself. Foster ends the interview by recalling his personal experiences and importance of helping the mentally and physically disabled.
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