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Bernice Johnson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00951

Abstract

Oral history interview with Bernice Johnson conducted by Dan Buress on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johnson discusses her personal history and her reasons for moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Johnson describes moving between Southern California and Las Vegas while her husband worked for the railroad company. The interview concludes with Johnson recalling her memories of the Von Tobel family and the rapid population growth in Las Vegas after the construction of the Nevada Test Site.

Archival Collection

Beverly Mathis oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02770

Abstract

Oral history interview with Beverly Mathis conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mathis discusses her early life in Trenton, Tennessee. She talks about experiencing discrimination, the importance of voting, and attending the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mathis describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 and being an African American elementary teacher at the time. Lastly, Mathis discusses her thoughts on education in Nevada.

Archival Collection

Barbara Mowry oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01344

Abstract

Oral history interview with Barbara Mowry conducted by Jon Sedlacek on February 16, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mowry describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from California in 1949 to get a divorce, before remarrying and entering into the restaurant business with her new husband. Mowry discusses buying an established restaurant, the Villa Venice, with her husband, and the eventual fire that would destroy the restaurant in 1952. Mowry describes running the restaurant, the different kinds of recreation in Las Vegas during the 1950s, and how Las Vegas has changed since she moved there. Mowry also discusses the prejudice against African Americans in Las Vegas, and how her husband would have to let in African American performers such as Sammy Davis Jr. or Pearl Bailey through the back door of their restaurant.

Archival Collection

Lee Cagley oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02796

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lee Cagley conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on August 08, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Cagley discusses the importance of keeping the various pieces of the infrastructure of a resort invisible in order to maximize the visitor experience. He also describes the challenges the Las Vegas, Nevada resort industry finds in creating the best visitor experience for multiple generations at the same time.

Archival Collection

Essie Boyd oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00121

Abstract

Oral history interview with Essie Boyd conducted by Claytee D. White on September 16, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Boyd describes life in Las Vegas, Nevada as an African American during the 1940s. She begins by discussing what the Las Vegas Strip was like at the time and her experiences working at the Flamingo Hotel, the Desert Inn, and the Desert Inn Country Club. Boyd describes the history of the casinos where she worked and the individuals she met through her work, including prominent African American entertainers and influential Las Vegas families such as the Greenspuns.

Archival Collection

Frank Mathews oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01217

Abstract

Oral history interview with Frank Mathews conducted by Pat Kohlman on December 07, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Mathews discusses his life as a teacher at J. D. Smith Middle School in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1953 to 1975. He discusses traveling through the city during its early stages of growth, employment, and home construction in various Las Vegas Valley locations including Lorenzi Park (currently known as Twin Lakes), Hyde Park, and North Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Stella Fleming oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00588

Abstract

Oral history interview with Stella Fleming conducted by Suzanne Wright on February 24, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fleming first talks about some of her work in welfare specifically, the early practices of the welfare administration. She also discusses her work with the Works Progress Administration, the American Red Cross, and the Nevada Emergency Relief Program. Fleming also discusses atomic testing, specific landmarks and locations, and the development of the city.

Archival Collection

Esther Wolverton oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02009

Abstract

Oral history interview with Esther Wolverton conducted by David Haymack on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wolverton discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1927 and recalls her first impressions of the city. She also describes experiencing the first Helldorado Parade, social life in Las Vegas, and her employment as a waitress. Later, Wolverton discusses the construction and development of McCarran Airport. Lastly, she talks about population growth in Las Vegas and the significance gaming has to the city.

Archival Collection

Ron Lurie oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02863

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ron Lurie conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 17, 2016 and November 10, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Lurie discusses his upbringing in Los Angeles, California and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. He recalls his father’s business, Market Town, graduating from Las Vegas High School, and becoming manager for three Wonder World convenient stores. Lurie talks about his campaign to become Mayor of Las Vegas, running for Las Vegas City Council, and the redevelopment of Downtown Las Vegas. In the second interview, Lurie discusses the Las Vegas Downtown Progress Association, the National League of Cities, and the Las Vegas monorail. Lastly, Lurie talks about employee longevity and unionization.

Archival Collection

Miguel Villarba oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03843

Abstract

Oral history interview with Miguel Villarba conducted by David Islas on December 6, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.

In this interview, Miguel Villarba shares his family's history growing up in Manila, Philippines and immigrating to the United States in 2016. He talks about first living in Chattanooga, Tennessee before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to be near family when Miguel was in high school. Miguel Villarba shares stories of his grandfather's farm in Pangasinan, Philippines, the differences in city and town life across Manila, Chattanooga, and Las Vegas, and his educational plans. He also talks about Filipino culture and traditions, and racial discrimination.

Archival Collection