Oral history interview with Tex Whitson conducted by David G. Schwartz on September 04, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Whitson discusses how he began playing poker, the growth of poker's popularity, and eventually the development of the World Series of Poker tournament. Whitson then recalls anecdotes of his interactions with Benny Binion, and the significance of the World Series of Poker to Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Junior Fonotisatele conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on November 10, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Junior discusses his Samoan background and the importance of strong family values. He talks about his early years in Utah and California before moving to Las Vegas where he attended and graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Junior shares his employment history as a bodyguard for Floyd Mayweather, an entrepreneur of a clothing brand, and an investor into a range of ventures including security, solar energy, and mental health. He concludes with a discussion of Samoan cultural celebrations, his religion, and the significance of his tattoos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Bernice Jaeger conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin on July 25, 1997, July 30, 1997 and February 03, 1998 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Jaeger begins the interviews by discussing her introduction to the hotel industry while attending Clark County Community College in the 1970s. Jaeger discusses working at the Rivera Hotel and Casino, Aladdin Hotel and Casino, and Continental Hotel and Casino, her experiences at these properties, and the important people associated with them. Jaeger describes how the increase in availability of hotel management programs at universities in the 1980s opened up the industry to women. Jaeger also talks about how many people in the Las Vegas, Nevada hotel and gaming industry came from Kentucky, where the gaming industry was only partially legal. Finally, Jaeger discusses her family life and raising her children.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jacob (Jake) Von Tobel conducted by an unknown collector on May 03, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview covers Von Tobel’s early life history along with recollections of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Pradia conducted by Claytee D. White on July 13, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Pradia discusses living in Cameron, Louisiana and the natural disasters that he experienced. Pradia recalls joining the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Southern University (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) and later receiving a commission to the United States Army. He describes race-relations in the military during the early 1960s and his employment for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Lastly, Pradia discusses African American golfers and teaching golf professionally in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pamela Sitton conducted by Claytee D. White on February 27, 2009 for the UNLV@ Fifty Oral History Project. Sitton discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963 where her father worked at the Nevada Test Site and graduating from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). Sitton also discusses working at UNLV Libraries from 1974 until she retired March of 2009.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barbara Sheehan conducted by Elaine Mongola on an unknown date for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sheehan describes her experience in the Unites States Navy through the 1950s to 1970s. Sheehan also discusses her experience as a woman in the military, specifically the stigmas that women sailors encounter. Later, Sheehan recalls memorable moments she experienced during her service.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fran Courtney conducted by Gayle Allen on June 1, 1995 for the KDWN Radio Lifelines Oral History Interviews for Nursing. In this interview, Courtney discusses her career as a nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. She explains the responsibilities she has as the Director of Clinics and Nursing Services of the Clark County Health District. In addition, she also mentions that she is a part of the Nevada Nurses Association. Lastly, Courtney speaks about the different types of nursing practices that are present in Las Vegas, such as the home health practice.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Margaret McGhie conducted by Suzanne Becker on November 21, 2008 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park neighborhood. McGhie discusses moving from western Nevada to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband after World War II. She also discusses living in one of the first homes in the John S. Park development and the lifestyles in early Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Harriet Trudell conducted by Caryll Batt Dziedziak on May 03, 2006 and July 25, 2006 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Trudell begins by discussing her early life, her parents, and attending boarding school. Trudell goes on to discuss her father's political activism and her grandparents' impact on her life. Trudell then describes her adult life in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband and young children and their move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962. Next Trudell talks about marching in civil rights demonstrations, including at Selma, Alabama. Trudell continues to discuss her activism in a variety of social movements including labor unions, school integration, women's rights, and welfare rights.
Archival Collection