Oral history interviews with Leona Hinton conducted by Irene Rostine on September 27, 1995, October 31, 1995, and November 18, 1995 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN). In her interviews Hinton discusses working for Rheem Manufacturing Company in Henderson, Nevada during World War II. She describes the challenges of being a working mother, the housing issues in Henderson, and attending Mormon church services. Hinton also discusses her husband's military and firefighter career. Finally, she describes wages, working conditions, and specifics about her work at the Rheem Manufacturing plant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lucela M. Wattin conducted by Stefani Evans on December 6, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Lucela shares memories of her life growing up in Cebu Province, Philippines and being raised by her mother and grandparents after her father's death. She talks about immigrating to the United States under her fiancée's visa, moving to Chinatown in Las Vegas, and her work as a busser at the Excalibur Hotel. Lucela discusses how joining the Culinary Workers Union improved her work conditions and benefits, and how she is working with the union and a legal attorney to help her daughter immigrate to America. She also shares her favorite Filipino dishes (sinagang, chicken adobo, and bugas mais), holiday traditions, and what life was like when casinos shut down during COVID-19.
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Oral history interviews with Joan Swift conducted by Sue Peterson on March 18, 2004, March 25, 2004, and June 22, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Swift discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s and 1950s. Swift begins the interview by describing her upbringing in the Basic townsite and Boulder City, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and life in Southern Nevada during World War II. She then discusses working in the Clark County Recorder's office, explaining her job duties and what function the office served for the county. Swift continues, talking about recreation activities at the time, including visiting the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and the Helldorado Parades. Swift discusses nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site and her career as the Clark County recorder. Lastly, she describes her thoughts on the future of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Merle Frehner conducted by Elisabeth Nelson Patrick January 17, 1981 and January 19, 1981 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In the first interview, Frehner talks about his upbringing in Littlefield, Arizona and moving to St. Thomas, Nevada. He talks about driving heavy-duty freight wagons, transporting mining supplies, and the formation of a school district in St. Thomas. Frehner remembers the entertainment in St. Thomas during the 1920s, recreational activities, and commuting to Overton, Nevada to attend high school. Lastly, Frehner describes the local businesses in St. Thomas, miners residing in the town, and the town’s growing popularity after the construction of Arrowhead Trail (U. S. Highway 91). In the last interview, Frehner discusses transporting produce to Las Vegas, Nevada and Tonopah, Nevada during the late 1920s, the construction of Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead water levels overtaking St. Thomas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Henrietta Pace conducted by Claytee D. White on June 15, 1996 as part of the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview Pace first talks about growing up on a sharecropping farm in Arkansas, the type of work she performed as a child, the impact on education, her family and community, and the way the community celebrated holidays. She briefly discusses her marriage and then explains how and why she chose to move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. She talks about working as a housekeeper at a number of Strip hotels, about discrimination in employment, living in the Westside, and becoming involved with the union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marie McMillan conducted by Kelli Luchs on September 15, 2009, September 23, 2009 October 01, 2009, and November 24, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Marie McMillan discusses life during the Great Depression and World War II. She then talks about marrying Duke Daly, raising a family with him, Daly passing away, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961, and working at the Nevada Test Site. She then discusses being a single mother, marrying James McMillan, and her great passion for aviation. She also talks about her role as a leader in the African American community and her flying records.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard C. MacDonald conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 20, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, MacDonald describes his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. He talks about his experience earning his real estate broker's license and his father's plan to develop and sell Las Vegas property. MacDonald recalls working with Frank Sala and Chuck Ruthe to obtain his first two sections of Henderson, Nevada land, which became Sun City MacDonald Ranch and the western part of MacDonald Highlands. Later, he talks about developing Sunridge at MacDonald Ranch and The Canyons at MacDonald Ranch. MacDonald recalls his twenty-year experience as a developer with the City of Henderson, its planning commission, city manager, city attorney, and city council. Lastly, he talks of golf course architects and planners and the MacDonald Highlands golf course, his family, the Great Recession, and his current status working with the City of Henderson.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Trula McGee conducted by Claytee D. White on March 17, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Trula McGee talks about her experiences growing up in a military family and her time as a student and young adult in the Westside community. She also discusses her employment as a Keno writer and runner at the Sands Hotel and Casino, Castaways Hotel and Casino, and the Silver Slipper Gambling Hall and Saloon and how this led to her meeting both Wayne Newton and Marvin Gaye.
Subjects discussed include: Carver Park; Basic High School; Nevada State Bank; Jackson Ave.; Golden West Shopping Center; Reuben's Supper Club; and Larry's Sight and Sound.
Archival Collection