Oral history interview with Henry E. Wellman conducted by Rebecca Rounds on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wellman discusses his personal history and the history of Boulder City, Nevada. Wellman describes the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), being a laborer working on the dam, and life in Boulder City during the 1940s. He talks about the United States government selling housing and land after the completion of Hoover Dam and how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed and expanded. Wellman also discusses the legalization of alcohol in Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with H. Wayne Earl conducted by Diane Donavan on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses his early recollections of Nevada and his life after moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1940. Earl also talks about World War II, McCarran Airport, Nellis Air Force Base, North Las Vegas politics, Jaycees, and the Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Earl recalls his involvement in civic affairs, social and religious activities, including his affiliation with the Mormon Church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Ted Quirk conducted by Claytee D. White on December 15, 2017 and December 20, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Quirk discusses his early life in Ithaca, New York and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. He talks about his employment at Shell Oil, working in a chemical plant, and oil drilling. Quirk describes practicing law for patents, licensing, and contracts. He talks about his career in the housing development industry, and his involvement in the development of the Spanish Trails County Club. In the second interview, Quirk talks about Boys and Girls Club of America and being involved with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He remembers forming the UNLV Golf Foundation, the Runnin’ Rebels Club, and the UNLV Research Foundation. Quirk explains the situation regarding UNLV’s Basketball Coach, Jerry Tarkanian, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Lastly, Quick discusses the historical importance of the
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Woodrow Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on February 10, 2014 and February 12, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In these interviews, Smith discusses his upbringing in Chattanooga, Tennessee and describes moving to another part of Chattanooga due to the violence his family experienced. He talks about attending Tuskegee University, studying engineering, and being taught by Tuskegee Airmen professors. Later, Smith discusses his work at the Nevada Test Site, the aerospace industry, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the mid-1980s. Lastly, Woodrow recalls his experiences in Las Vegas and describes investing into a McDonald's franchise.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Alma Whitney conducted by Claytee D. White on March 03, 1996 and May 28, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Whitney opens the interview by talking about her life in Tallulah, Louisiana. She discusses race relations in Tallulah and how she traveled from Tallulah to Las Vegas, Nevada. Whitney describes her first job as a maid at the Desert Moon Motel, and her move later to the Desert Inn Hotel. Whitney discusses her career of over 30 years at the Desert Inn along with her promotion from maid to supervisor. Whitney also describes a time when Desert Inn employees went on strike for three weeks.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Shelley Berkley conducted by Michael Geeser on January 9, 2006 for the I Remember When: Recollections from Las Vegas Jewish Leaders Oral History Project. Berkley talks about her career as a Jewish woman legislator, about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and about issues such as Medicare, education, and Israel. She also answers questions from the audience.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charissa B. Fabian conducted by Kyle Gregory Baluyut on November 24, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
In this interview, Charissa B. Fabian discusses her upbringing in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines with her three siblings and memories shared with her grandparents and cousins. She talks about her nursing education from the University of the Philippines and her immigration via a recruitment agency to work in New York. Charissa Fabian reflects on her move to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband in 1995, the growing Filipino population in the city, and her work as a nurse. She also shares her thoughts on the immigration process, the COVID-19 pandemic, and politics.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alma Hinds conducted by Kyle Baluyut in November 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Hinds recalls her journey to the United States after marrying a U.S. naval officer stationed in the Philippines. Hinds describes her experiences settling into Las Vegas, Nevada, her second marriage, and joining a local Filipino/Hawaiaan dance group.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Angela Tampol conducted by Isabelle Rice on November 20, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interivew, Tampol shares her experiences as a Filipina American living in the Bay Area of California and since 2018, Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses her thoughts on beauty standards for Asian women, living in the Philippines for a short time for education, and her involvement in the Bruha Baddies community. She also shares her experience (or lack thereof) of racism as a person of color.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Linda Chase conducted by Claytee D. White on April 01, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Chase discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 and what life was like in the city at the time. She describes living in the Bonanza Village neighborhood, racial integration in Las Vegas, and popular recreational activities of the time. Chase talks about the Nevada Test Site, nuclear weapons tests, and an underground testing accident that lead to leukemia in those exposed to the radiation. Chase also discusses the future of Las Vegas being dependent on its water management and her nonfiction writing on Las Vegas.
Archival Collection