Oral history interview with Robert Forbuss conducted by Suzanne Becker on February 12, 2009 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. In this interview, Forbuss discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history while sharing childhood memories of the neighborhood. He also discusses his mother buying a home in 1944 in the Huntridge development, adjacent to the John S. Park Neighborhood and living there for the rest of her life. He then mentions her owning a dry cleaning business, which he later owned.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William K. Moore conducted by Jana Smart and Wendy Modglin on July 20, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Moore reflects upon his more than 30-year career as a teacher and administrator in both Nebraska and Nevada. He discusses the process by which he went from being a teacher to a principal in Nebraska, and eventually became a principal in Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses his experience as principal of J. T. McWilliams Elementary School, challenges that he faced as an administrator, and his involvement with the Parent Teacher Association. He also offers suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration, and comments on having a school named after him.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barbara Cole conducted by Claytee D. White on June 29, 2005 for the the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Barbara Cole talks about the history of African Americans in Las Vegas, Nevada previous to the 1950s. She discusses her early childhood and her large family, as well as the family's contributions to the community. Barbara shares her thoughts on the race relations in Las Vegas throughout her life and details some of her own personal experiences with it. She also shares her knowledge of the foundation of Las Vegas' Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lloyd Bell (born 1925 in Los Angeles) conducted by Joseph Butner on September 18, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lloyd discusses the challenges of policing Las Vegas, Nevada where the population includes both permanent residents and tourists, and he mentions the issue of drug and narcotics addiction in the city as it relates to crime. Lloyd then talks about the development and growth of Las Vegas, as well as the environmental and social changes in the city. The interview then shifts to a discussion on the significance of legal gambling in Las Vegas, which then moves to a related discussion on the existence of organized crime in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Howard Heckethorn conducted by Richard Eitland on February 15, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mr. Heckethorn describes going to school in the early days of Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about many notable teachers he had, as well as the development of the Las Vegas area. Heckethorn also discusses his arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1930, and recalls the Old Mormon Fort, El Rancho, The Last Frontier, and the tourism that gambling brought to the city. Heckethorn discusses the 1960s, and the impact Howard Hughes had in the development of hotels and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Garren conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 02, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Garren opens her interview by discussing her young adult life in California. She then talks about her first night out in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garren discusses her experiences as an executive secretary at the Last Frontier and the types of jobs available to women in casinos. Garren also describes the amenities available at the Last Frontier and the El Rancho Vegas. Garren goes on to talk about her experiences and memories of the Last Frontier Hotel in detail.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sonny Thomas conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 28, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Thomas discusses getting his first funeral home job at the age of 16, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, his series of hotel jobs, and being part of the opening staff of MGM Grand Hotel. Thomas later talks about getting into the funeral industry and the various corporate buyouts of local funeral homes. He later discusses the tradition of African American funerals and his thoughts about segregation in Las Vegas during the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donna L. Miller conducted by Claytee D. White on July 15, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Miller begins by describing her early upbringing on her family's potato farm in Oregon before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses attending Las Vegas High School, joining the Rhythmettes, the school's female dance group, and her experiences in the Rhythmettes, including where she performed and the team's coach, Evelyn Stuckey. Miller also briefly discusses working as a secretary at the Sahara Hotel and Casino and real estate in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Richard Bryan conducted by Kristin Guthre on November 10, 2011 and an unknown date for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bryan begins by discussing his father’s time as a law student in Washington, D.C. and the influence his father had on his decision to pursue law. Bryan then chronicles moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s and growing up in the Huntridge Community near Charleston Boulevard. Bryan recounts attending both the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California. Bryan describes his experiences in the Las Vegas District Attorney’s office and the Army Reserve. He then recalls his political career as a member of the Nevada Senate, his role as the Attorney General of Nevada, the Governor of Nevada, and as a United States Senator. Lastly, Bryan discusses political issues in Nevada and the United States during his time in office such as debates about renewable energy, environmentalism, and preservation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marian Oakes conducted by Bernard Kulifay Jr. on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Oakes describes her childhood after moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931, and her experience in the school system. Oakes discusses how Las Vegas has grown and the types of opportunities, jobs, and recreation that have been available to women. Oakes also discusses her career as a hairdresser and owning her own salon. Oakes goes on to describe the presence of individuals involved in organized crime around the city, as well as the presence of Howard Hughes.
Archival Collection