Kerin Rodgers was born in 1936. She recounts her family history and stories of her youth growing up in Boston, MA, and shares how the family relocated to Seattle, WA in the mid-1940s. She talks about her enjoyment of theatrical arts and politics, and about being a resourceful divorced, single-mom and entrepreneur. In 1958 she opened a retail fashion store and modeling agency with a friend in Santa Monica, CA. Kerin had a knack for fashion and interior design that would assist her then and into the future. She also shares the story of arriving in Las Vegas as part of retail job with The Broadway stores in 1966—a two-week stint that seemed to have no ending. Her transition into Las Vegas included remarriage, a 1974 Keno win that enabled her to put down money on a home ( a house built by Paul Huffey) in the John S. Park neighborhood, and making close friends in the community. Her interview is sprinkled with tales of activities and personalities from the neighborhood's past and present. Kerin was involved with the Focus Youth House, speaks about First Fridays and art, as well as gives a perspective of police, criminal behaviors and changes in the neighborhood over the years. She hosted a local television show and enjoyed being a community activist.
Oral history interview with Dana Su Lee conducted by Stefani Evans, Vanessa Concepcion, and Cecilia Winchell on February 10, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Dana talks about her childhood growing up in California and her parents who were both born in China. She discusses her educational background and her move to Las Vegas with her husband in 1997. Dana also shares her various community and philanthropic pursuits related to education and the arts. Subjects discussed include: Greg Lee; otherness; Nevada Women's Philanthropy (NWP)
Oral history interview with Bobbie and Cody Lin Jones conducted by Claytee D. White on December 9, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Bobbie and Cody Lin Jones, mother and daughter, discuss their love for country music and their experience going to the Route 91 Harvest music festival in 2017. Bobbie describes how her military training helped her and her daughter survive the shooting of that weekend, and both discuss what they had seen during the shooting. Bobbie and Cody Lin talk about adjusting to life after the event and the little things that have changed in their day-to-day living.
Mike Gausling started in the casino industry as a slot floor person at the Aladdin in 1976. After about a year, he moved to the Stardust in a similar capacity and in 1980 went to the the Sundance, later named Fitzgeralds and The D Las Vegas. Gausling later worked at the Holiday Casino where he held supervisory roles and then after about 12 years in those roles, eventually assisted in opening the Stratosphere. He would then move to The Mirage where he would start on the floor again before moving into higher positions at that property. Gausling later went to Green Valley Ranch Resort where he currently holds the position of slot guest service supervisor. Mike Gausling’s interview begins with his discussion of the various roles in slot operations he has held over the past 40 years. After describing the various positions and properties at which he worked, Gausling provides his thoughts on what makes both good and bad slot managers. He then discusses his experiences in interacting with customers and what his philosophy is on what casino guests want in playing slots. Gausling also discusses the differences between local casino properties and those on the Las Vegas Strip, and he describes his work in opening Green Valley Ranch. The interview continues with Gausling’s opinion on the impact of technology and free play as some of the biggest changes in the slot industry, and he later describes how a slot floor should be laid out. He also discusses how he thinks the future of slot machines will look like, particularly with skill-based gaming, and he also mentions his personal gambling preferences. The interview concludes with Gausling’s advice to young people who want to go into slot operations as a career.
Description given with photograph: "Depot of the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad built in 1906. This served the railroad for many years until the present very modernistic structure took its place."
Tourist cross the Las Vegas Strip in front of the Monte Carlo hotel and casino. Pedestrian safety has been improved over the years, but remains an issue where elevated walkways have not been installed.
Blimp used to promote the motion picture "The Outlaw," produced by Howard Hughes' RKO Productions, January 1950. Advertising reads, "The Outlaw. Kept off the screen for 3 years, it's coming at last! Jane Russell."
Lottie Wengert poses with her school class in Wells, Nevada. Lottie is standing in the back row, third from the right. She is estimated to be about seventeen years old in this photograph. This photograph was taken in 1918.
A fleet of caravans at a Hoover Dam construction site. A label at the bottom of the photo "April, 23, 1932. A Masonic caravan of cars arrive at the dam site along the river two years after the start of construction."
A man playing a fiddle and another playing a piano ride in a horse drawn wagon with others during the Helldorado Days festival parade. The sign reads: "Helldorado Hillbillys Dance, 6th year...[illegible]"