Oral history interviews with Will Vicuna conducted by Stefani Evans on June 23 and July 3, 2023 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In the first interview, Vicuna goes into detail about his family's history, and his parents' life in Quezon, Philippines. When his brother sent Will a postcard of the newly opened Hilton Hotel and Casino, Will decided he would move to Las Vegas as soon as he completed his psychology degree in 1970. He concludes the first interview discussing his employment at the Hilton and the Flamingo Hilton, his 1972 marriage, and his 1973 UNLV graduation in Hotel Administration. In the second interview, Vicuna talks about his wife, Felicidad, who graduated from University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila in Medical Technology. He shares details about her career, and then talks about his own career in hospitality, working in a number of Las Vegas hotels including the Hilton and Flamingo Hilton, Palace Station, Peppermill Mesquite, and the Golden Eagle in Pahrump. Throughout the interviews, Vicuna discusses family reunions in Las Vegas, shopping for Filipino food, and eating at various restaurants around town. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mike Gausling conducted by David G. Schwartz on December 7, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. In his interview Gausling discusses his forty years in the casino industry. He talks about the positives and negatives in the field of slot management and the differences between local and Strip casino properties.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carus Lortz conducted by Corrado R. Carey on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lortz talks about his life and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. He specifically talks about his religious background and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Horacio Lopez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on September 05, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Lopez discusses his early life in Cordova, New Mexico and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. He recalls the establishment of the Nevada Association of Latin Americans (NALA), the increase of Latin Americans in the southwest region of the United States, and his role as the Vice President of the Latin Chamber of Commerce. Lastly, Lopez discusses his thoughts on the future of Latino culture.
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Oral history interview with Nevada State Senator Floyd Lamb conducted by Linda Nelson on February 01, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lamb discusses Southern Nevada history, economy, environment, and social changes.
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Oral history interview with Dr. Emmell J. “E. J.” Beech conducted by Salvatore Maranto on November 27, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Beech reflects upon his career as an elementary and middle school teacher and administrator in California. He discusses how he entered education, his experiences desegregating schools in multiple school districts, and his approach to school administration.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Ludwick conducted by Jeanette Napoliello on March 30, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ludwick discusses her personal history since arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. Ludwick then discusses the different shows that she attended and the type of atmosphere inside casinos at the time.
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Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by Gordon R. Brusso on March 30, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan talks about early Las Vegas, Nevada entertainment.
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Oral history interview with Dean Otteson conducted by Felicia McCabe on November 04, 2008 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Otteson reflects upon his experiences as a teacher and administrator in Alaska and with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools. He discusses his experiences working with vocational training, working with assistant principals, and challenges that he faced.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gary Ostensen conducted by Claire McCoy on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. in this interview, Ostensen describes the difficulties that face bellmen in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ostensen later discusses the requirements to be a good bellmen.
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