Oral history interview with Edward Butera conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on July 28, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Butera discusses moderating an American Institute of Architects (AIA) panel entitled "A City Growing Up" and working as a mechanical engineer for JBA Consulting Engineers. He goes into detail about his first casino project, Stardust Hotel and Casino, and working on all Steve Wynn properties in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carole Vilardo conducted by Derek Armstrong and Claytee D. White on August 11, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Vilardo discusses the implementation of a sales tax to further fund education in Nevada. She then describes her first legislative session in 1973 and describes Nevada property taxes. Later, Vilardo explains the significance of taxes and how changes in tax rates are made. Lastly, Vilardo recalls lobbying for certain bills and explains the tax structure in Nevada at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert W. Adams conducted by Marta Plansville on March 11, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Adams discusses early housing in Las Vegas, Nevada, his father working at the Last Frontier Hotel, and becoming Mormon after his marriage in 1964.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George A. Deverell conducted by Sharon M. Smith on April 26, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Deverell discusses working in the gaming industry, general Nevada history, World War II, and being raised under the Mormon religion.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jack Bullock conducted by Julie Domonkos on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bullock talks about his occupations in the gaming industry, including being a dealer both in Las Vegas, Nevada and other cities. Bullock also describes how Las Vegas has changed over the years since the 1940s, including working in casinos prior to corporations entering the gaming industry, and the changes in the entertainment industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Claytee D. White conducted by Stefani Evans on November 2, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Claytee D. White, founding directory of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries, celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the OHRC by contributing her oral history to the collection.
She begins by explaining how the system of sharecropping worked in her family near rural Ahoskie, North Carolina, and she talks about the field work involved in raising cotton, tobacco, corn, and peanuts. The fifth of eight children and the first daughter, she shares memories of going into town with her mother, of admiring her women teachers, and of attending North Carolina Central College (now University) for two years before moving to Washington, D.C., and working for the telephone company.
After recalling her two years in D.C. and 22 years in Los Angeles, California, she describes "running away" to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1990s. Here, at the History department at UNLV, she recalls learning to conduct oral histories. White shares memories of her first interviews with Hazel and Jimmy Gay and Lucille Bryant. She talks of matriculating to the College of William and Mary for her PhD and of returning to Bertie County to live with her mother and administer the office of The Shaw University Center for Alternative Programs in Education (CAPE). She describes how she was offered the position of OHRC founding director, why it matters that she was an "opportunity hire," and how it feels to be the only Black person in a room.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Frommer conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 12, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Frommer discusses his early life in New York. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994, his employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as a campus planner, and his work in the area along Maryland Parkway sometimes referred to as "Midtown UNLV.". Frommer then recalls building planning for the newest UNLV buildings, the construction of Allegiant Stadium, and his work refining UNLV buildings. Lastly, Frommer discusses the idea of a UNLV campus hotel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Griffith conducted by Jerry Gatch on March 19, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Griffith discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada, and the development of railroads throughout Southern Nevada. He later talks about the first casinos, hotels, and the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maury Soss conducted by Nyla Petersen on February 20, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Soss discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Soss describes the casinos, clubs, and life in Las Vegas during the early 1930s, and running Fanny's, a dress store, with his mother. He also describes women's fashion in the 1930s and how modern styles have changed since the early twentieth century. Soss goes on to discuss the Helldorado Parade, the development of Las Vegas through its casinos and public works, and the entertainers who have performed over the years in Las Vegas. Soss then talks about the arts community in Las Vegas and the need for a greater artistic culture in the city.
Archival Collection
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