Oral history interview with Elissa Miller conducted by Frank D. Fusco on March 03, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Miller discusses her family and personal history. Miller begins by discussing her parents' immigration to the United States from Czechoslovakia and Peru respectively. She goes on to discuss her numerous travels with her husband, and their eventual settlement in Virgina City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eric Mendoza conducted by Holly O'Donnell on November 29, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
In this interview, Eric Mendoza shares his family's chain migration history from Manila, Philippines to the United States and his difficult immigration and naturalization process once arriving in America in 1996. He talks about what brought him to live in Las Vegas, Nevada, his education and professional pursuits, what his life is like in the United States compared to that of the Philippines, and the lives of his eight siblings. Eric Mendoza discusses the historical past of the Philippines, the infrastructure in place there, and government corruption. He also speaks to Filipino traditions and festivals, food and customs, his cultural identity, and assimilating to American culture.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Aracely Rascon conducted by Claytee D. White on October 2, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Rascon recalls her early childhood in Chihuahua, Mexico and until her father brought the family to Las Vegas, Nevada. She studied interior design at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and joined the firm of Simpson Coulter, where she specializes in decorating the interiors of businesses and schools. Two weeks after the October 1, 2017 shooting, her skills were called upon by those across the city who were preparing the Resiliency Center for survivors of the mass shooting. This proposed Resiliency Center needed carpet, paint, furniture, art work, and everything else to make it into a place where people could seek assistance in a peaceful atmosphere where they could tell their stories and ask for help. Rascon contacted all her resources and was pleasantly surprised when each company bent over backwards to offer deals, advice, and referrals. Rascon learned that she could use her talents and decorating skills to help others be at peace and to dialogue and perform in comfort. She will never forget and will be forever grateful to the sense of community displayed by her city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bill Armstrong conducted by Anthony Robone on February 20, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Armstrong discusses his time bootlegging in Kentucky before arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada, his involvement with the Las Vegas dealers, and the weather as it relates to other parts of the country. He also discusses the impacts of the work of Howard Hughes on the town, the construction of Hoover Dam, the above-ground atomic testing, the growth of Las Vegas and tourism, changes in gambling habits for the next generation, and the social and recreational activities of residents.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dani McLaughlin conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 14, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Dani McLaughlin discusses the October 1, 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada and how she tried to find safety with her husband and a group of friends, one of whom was shot. She talks about finding refuge in her office at Atlantic Aviation. McLaughlin mentions the different ways her life and the lives of her family members have been affected, including how her children reacted to the shooting.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Russell Terbeek conducted by David Schwartz on May 29, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Terbeek discusses his career as a table games dealer and manager at casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada such as Circus Circus, Rio, Treasure Island, Sahara, and the Golden Nugget.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron Floth conducted by Claytee D. White on September 07, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Floth discusses his early life in Huntington Beach, California and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1970s. Floth remembers being recruited to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), promoting RTC’s Club Ride, and his involvement with RTC's Bike Share program. He describes the Southern Nevada Bike Coalition, the League of American Bicycles, and the Coalition’s work in creating bicycle friendly communities. Later, Floth talks about the Three Foot Law, bicycle routes, and stationless bicycle-sharing systems. Lastly, Floth discusses biking as a way to improve public health.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Howard Cannon conducted by K.J. Evans on September 28, 1998 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. Cannon discusses his political involvement and working for the Las Vegas City Attorney’s Office. He then talks about his service in the Air National Guard during World War II and creating Nellis Air Force Base. Cannon also mentions his interactions with presidents, his thoughts on the Vietnam War, his support for civil rights, and his stance as a lawmaker.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard C. MacDonald conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 20, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, MacDonald describes his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. He talks about his experience earning his real estate broker's license and his father's plan to develop and sell Las Vegas property. MacDonald recalls working with Frank Sala and Chuck Ruthe to obtain his first two sections of Henderson, Nevada land, which became Sun City MacDonald Ranch and the western part of MacDonald Highlands. Later, he talks about developing Sunridge at MacDonald Ranch and The Canyons at MacDonald Ranch. MacDonald recalls his twenty-year experience as a developer with the City of Henderson, its planning commission, city manager, city attorney, and city council. Lastly, he talks of golf course architects and planners and the MacDonald Highlands golf course, his family, the Great Recession, and his current status working with the City of Henderson.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elizabeth Francis conducted by Emily Powers on July 21, 2008 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. Francis discusses being a Licensed Practical Nurse at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital and working for Dr. Fink. She discusses teaching nursing there and at the Sunrise Hospital, as well as working for Workmen's Compensation.
Archival Collection