Oral history interview with Alex X. Porter conducted by Claytee D. White on April 16, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Porter mainly discusses his membership of and devout role in the Nation of Islam. He discusses how he became involved with the religion after trying to enact change in the Black community through the NAACP. He discusses how his stance on education sets him apart from the majority of the Black community; he believes that a college degree is not necessary to teach intellectual topics to young people. Porter is active in the Las Vegas Black community as either a member or supporter of the Minister's Alliance, Shepherd's Breakfast, NAACP, Black Lives Matter, and the Nation of Islam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Woodrow Wilson conducted by Perry Kaufman on November 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilson discusses work at the McNary sawmill in Arizona, and later arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada to work at the Basic Magnesium Plant, located in Henderson, Nevada. Wilson also talks about discrimination between maids in motels and hotels, along with moments of segregation at the Basic Magnesium Plant. He then explains how he organized and became a board member of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth Hazard conducted by Jerry L. Erb on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. At the time of the interview, Ruth had lived in Nevada for over forty years. Ruth discusses living and working in Las Vegas and Carson City, Nevada. She also covers various subjects including: the atomic tests and the growth of the hotel industry.
Archival Collection
The Southwest Oral History Association Records contains records of the Southwest Oral History Association (SOHA) from 1981 to 2020. Records include agendas and minutes from the executive board committee, financial records, correspondence, photographs, and planning documents for SOHA's annual conference.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Perry Dickerson conducted by Bryce Gracie on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dickerson discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada from his perspective. In particular, he discusses telephone companies’ improvements, McCarren Airport growth, boat races at Lake Mead, Golden Nugget Hotel, Greyhound Depot bus station, the plane crash near Sloan Highway, Nellis Air Force Base, Lorenzi Park, Old Salt Lake Highway, Downtown Las Vegas, and Stardust Raceway.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ellen Knowlton conducted by Claytee D. White on August 13, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Knowlton discusses her family background and her career in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). She talks about criminal investigations she has been involved with, bank robberies, and the rise of white-collar crimes. Knowlton recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, her involvement with the opening of the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement (known as the Mob Museum), and ensuring accuracy on the role of law enforcement with the handling of organized crime. Lastly, Knowlton discusses the future of the museum.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Herbert C. Wells conducted by Dr. David Emerson on March 08, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Wells discusses his work as a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as well as his credentials within the program.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stan Armstrong conducted by Megan Laub on December 02, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Armstrong discusses his childhood in West Las Vegas, Nevada and describes the neighborhood where he grew up. Armstrong recalls Westside businesses, nightlife, and entertainment that existed on Jackson Street. He then talks about his educational experiences, the racial segregation of schools at the time, and his employment at various stores on the Westside as a teenager. Later, Armstrong discusses the riots that erupted on the Westside in 1969 and shares how it affected the community. He goes on to recall riots that took place at Rancho High School while he was a student there. Lastly, Armstrong talks about his career as a filmmaker and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thelma Coblentz conducted by Judith Chavez on February 17, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Coblentz discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and some of the medical services she helped to provide at Nellis Air Force Base. Coblentz later describes Downtown Las Vegas, specifically the development of the casinos and shopping businesses. Coblentz concludes with a discussion on the first physicians in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Deering conducted by Gayle Allen on October 29, 1995 for the KDWN Radio Lifelines Oral History Interviews on Nursing. In this interview, Deering talks about his career as a registered nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses the human body and how stress and anxiety impact it in different ways. Lastly, Deering explains his perspective on the fight-or-flight response of the human body.
Archival Collection