Oral history interview with Robert Bugbee conducted by John Lopez on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bugbee discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953 and how both the population and housing have changed since then. Bugbee additionally speaks about the changes in infrastructure, including the building of roads and increased air travel. Throughout the interview, he mentions some of the various specific housing tracts that were built throughout Las Vegas. Bugbee also mentions topics such as the building of Hoover Dam, the first popular casinos in town, the Carole Lombard crash, and the MGM Grand fire. The interview finalizes with Bugbee’s thoughts on the future of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Fiona Kelley conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on March 21, 2009 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. Kelley discusses being a cover dancer in Hallelujah Hollywood at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses becoming licensed in massage therapy and becoming an acupuncturist and a herbalist.
Oral history with Nathan Harper conducted by Claytee D. White on July 29, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Harper describes his childhood and growing up in Wichita, Kansas and how those early days shaped his belief system today. After discussing his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Cyprus, Harper discusses his role, beginning in 2007, as Archaeologist for the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about unearthing the history of John Howell, the first Black man in Las Vegas who claimed land near what is now Springs Preserve. He also talks about relocating railroad cottages to the Preserve, restoring, and even decorating the buildings. He talks about the history of early Las Vegas and the area's water supply throughout the interview.
Oral history interview with Celese Rayford conducted by Phillip Walley on November 14, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rayford discusses her career as an educator in Las Vegas, Nevada. She begins by describing her upbringing in Las Vegas, the Westside community of Las Vegas, and attending Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Rayford then discusses her involvement with Top Teens of America and how that program helps to prepare young girls for college. She continues, talking about the effectiveness of disciplinary action against students, her experiences from her first year of teaching, and headstart programs for students who live in poverty.
Oral history interview with Thalia Dondero conducted by Claytee D. White on 2014 March 6 and April 2 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In her interview Dondero discusses community organizing in early Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s. Dondero also talks about her time in the state legislature.
Oral history interview with Joseph Fry conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on October 09, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Joseph Fry discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He talks about how he was welcomed to the history department by notable people like Roman "Jay" Zorn, Ralph Roske, and Tom Wright. He also talks about doing research, writing books, and becoming history department chair numerous times.
Oral history interview with John Perazzo conducted by Claytee D. White on June 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Perazzo discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about attending Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California to obtain a degree mathematics and computer science. Perazzo then recalls his father's work in architecture and his father's employment at the Nevada Test Site. Later, Perazzo discusses becoming a card dealer at the El Cortez Hotel and Casino and describes the challenges in working at casinos. Lastly, Perazzo talks about the development of Fremont Street.
Oral history interview with Louis Conner conducted by John Grygo on March 22, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Conner discusses his personal history and growing up in Tallulah, Louisiana. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family for job opportunities in the late 1950s. Conner describes his employment at the Stardust Hotel, segregation, and living in West Las Vegas. He then talks about integration in the mid-1960s, Jackson Street entertainment, and the changing demographic of the Westside. Lastly, Conner discusses the development of Las Vegas, families moving out of the Westside, and new businesses in the area.
Oral history interview with Daryl Privott conducted by Claytee D. White on March 16, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Daryl Privott was previously the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries' Facilities Manager during the move from Dickerson Library into Lied Library. It was during this time that he pursued advanced education, earning his PhD from UNLV before moving to Lexington, Kentucky. Privott discusses his professional and family life as well as his personal philosophies.
Oral history interview with M.J. Christensen conducted by Rick Maggot on October 23, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christensen recalls living in Las Vegas, Nevada during the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane and describes local reactions to the early aboveground atomic tests. He also discusses family, religious life, and the Mormon Church. Christensen speaks about his time as the head of the Merchant’s Bureau, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the president of the Southern Nevada Better Business Bureau. He also discusses being an assemblyman for eight years and serving for four years as a senator in the state of Nevada.