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Richard D. Chase oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00364

Abstract

Oral history interview with Richard D. Chase conducted by Helen Rondthaler on October 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Chase discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1945, touching on topics such as the housing shortage during the 1940s, The Red Rooster swingers’ club, Billy Moore, Sam Larson, Ira Goldring, atomic bomb testing, and the Nevada environment. Chase discusses the importance of construction-based labor to the development of Southern Nevada. Chase also explains at length the impact of the Nevada Test Site on his construction company.

Archival Collection

Stan Irwin oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02437

Abstract

Oral history interview with Stan Irwin conducted by Cork Proctor on August 24, 2003 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Irwin talks about his early life performing comedy in nightclubs, hotels, and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, writing comedic material, his military service, starting a family, and racism in the Las vegas entertainment industry in the 1950s and 1960s. He also discusses his work as vice-president and executive producer for Sahara Nevada Corporation, bringing The Beatles to Las Vegas, Nevada when all other hotels refused to do so, and the band's appearance at the Las Vegas Convention Center. He continues talking about being a comedian, actor, and special materials writer and his life since retirement.

Archival Collection

Wilma Noyes oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01399

Abstract

Oral history interview with Wilma Noyes conducted by Claytee D. White on April 11, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Noyes discusses her personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada from the 1920s onward. She describes moving to Las Vegas with her family in 1921 after her father got a job working for Union Pacific Railroad Company. Noyes explains how the railroad provided housing to its workers and what life was like in that housing. Noyes discusses attending the first schools in Las Vegas, one of them having had Maude Frazier as its principal. Noyes then describes what young people did for entertainment in Las Vegas, including dancing and going to movie theaters. Lastly, she discusses the history of the casinos and how the city has changed.

Archival Collection

Robin Trout oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01846

Abstract

Oral history interview with Robin Trout conducted by Phyllis McKinnon on October 17, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Trout discusses being a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trout discusses the education required to be a nurse compared to the kind of education and experience she feels a nurse actually needs. She talks about issues of malpractice in the medical field and malpractice insurance, her current work duties, and other aspects of working in the medical field.

Archival Collection

Robert Kesterson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01012

Abstract

Oral history interview with Robert Kesterson conducted by James M. Greene on October 24, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kesterson offers an overview on life in Boulder City, Las Vegas, and Henderson, Nevada. He also discusses land development.

Archival Collection

Sonny Thomas oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01817

Abstract

Oral history interview with Sonny Thomas conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 28, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Thomas discusses getting his first funeral home job at the age of 16, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, his series of hotel jobs, and being part of the opening staff of MGM Grand Hotel. Thomas later talks about getting into the funeral industry and the various corporate buyouts of local funeral homes. He later discusses the tradition of African American funerals and his thoughts about segregation in Las Vegas during the 1960s.

Archival Collection

Mary Orduno oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01415

Abstract

Oral history interview with Mary Orduno conducted by Rachel Masek on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Orduno discusses her job experience as a cocktail waitress at the Last Frontier Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the types of entertainment available to people in Las Vegas at the time. Orduno discusses her time as president of the Las Vegas City Council, when she held a fashion show for mental health awareness in which Wayne Newton performed. Orduno goes on to discuss her involvement with the Beta Sigma Phi sorority on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Gary Giddens oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03541

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gary Giddens conducted by Claytee D. White on December 13, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Giddens discusses his upbringing and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978. He talks about becoming a firefighter, his employment with the North Las Vegas Fire Department, and working with ambulance companies. Giddens recalls Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, the increase of firefighters becoming EMTs, and the MGM Grand fire. Lastly, Giddens talks about leaving the North Las Vegas Fire Department.

Archival Collection

Eugene Buford oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00145

Abstract

Oral history interview with Eugene Buford conducted by Claytee White on September 12, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Eugene Buford talks about his great grandmother, Mary Nettles, who was instrumental in the start and growth of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples (NAACP) in Las Vegas, Nevada. He speaks about his experiences with prejudice and discrimination, while reflecting upon what it was like being an African American growing up in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Gwen Weeks oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01934

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gwen Weeks conducted by Perry Kaufman on November 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Weeks describes early Las Vegas, Nevada and the changes the city went through. Weeks also talks about segregation, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the different living conditions between communities.

Archival Collection