Oral history interview with Gene Hotchkiss conducted by Barbara Clark on June 27, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hotchkiss discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1946. Hotchkiss discusses the hotel industry, explaining that most casinos had a Western theme before the Flamingo was built, which started a luxury resort trend. Hotchkiss goes on to describe the development of Las Vegas Strip hotels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carol Baker conducted by Nancy Hardy on May 29, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Baker talks about her life as an entertainer on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, including backstage life, parties, and relationships amongst other dancers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ethel Matteucci conducted by Tom Matteucci on March 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ethel talks about being chased out of Mexico for being Mormon colonizers and later arriving to Nevada. Ethel later talks about the first casinos that were built in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gary Porter conducted by Stefani Evans on April 26, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Porter discusses his early life in Oklahoma. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1970 as a new accountant, and his employment at the Hughes Corporation. He talks about the growth of Las Vegas, the charter market in Las Vegas during the late 1970s, and joining Hughes Aviation in 1977. Lastly, Porter describes the evolution of the aviation industry, and explains the work Hughes Aviation does to service airplanes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Breck Wall conducted by Nancy Hardy on July 03, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Wall discusses the various shows he was a part of in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also shares stories about his experiences in the show business and in show producing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eugene Perry conducted by Anneliese McKenna on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perry discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Denver, Colorado in 1955. Perry discusses his career as a dealer in the Golden Nugget and other Las Vegas casinos. Perry also describes how Las Vegas has benefited economically from gambling and casinos.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Jeanne Brown conducted by Claytee D. White on November 07, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Brown discusses her upbringing and growing up in a family who moved often. She talks about her initial interest in library science, and compares working as a university librarian to working as a public librarian. Brown remembers arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978, joining the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Architecture Library, and the construction of the UNLV School of Architecture building. Lastly, Brown discusses the future of UNLV Libraries.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Mills conducted by Risa Rosenstein on March 07, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mills discusses the gaming industry in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls the growth of gambling throughout the city. Mills then explains the origins of slot machines and the increase in number of slot machines inside casinos in Las Vegas. Lastly, Mills describes the technological advancement of slot machines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Shipley conducted by Claytee D. White on October 15, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Shipley discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois and upbringing as a musician. Shipley recalls being the drummer for The Emotions, Natalie Cole, and performing at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about the special treatment musicians had, and the respect that Steve Wynn had for performers. Lastly, Shipley remembers performing for Diana Ross, the challenges he faced as an African American musician, and his decision to retire.
Archival Collection