Oral history interview with Chuck Degarmo conducted by Stefani Evans on January 13, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Also present during the interview was Po-Sun Chen. Degarmo discusses his childhood, his early interest in landscaping, and obtaining his Bachelors of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; with a concentration in Landscape Construction. Degarmo and Chen give their history in landscape construction, maintenance, development, and its intersection with ValleyCrest Landscape Development (now BrightView). They then explain how they landscaped some the largest hotel properties on the Las Vegas Strip, Summerlin Parkway, and Station Casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thelma D. Oldfield conducted by Irene Rostine on February 29, 1992 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Oldfield opens her interview with a description of her work responsibilities at the Basic Magnesium Plant starting in 1943. She then discusses her employment at a chemical plant transporting chlorine. Oldfield also talks about her job responsibilities and her union participation. Oldfield's husband interjects his recollections throughout the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Dean Whitaker conducted by Claytee D. White on April 05, 2010 for the Boyer Las Vegas Early History Project. Whitaker discusses being a member of the 398th Bomb Group during World War II and being captured by the Germans. He also discusses living in a suburb of Los Angeles, California then moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth L. Berger conducted by Claytee D. White on April 15, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Berger discusses his upbringing in St. Paul, Minnesota and his career in the United States Army. He remembers his employment with Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier (EG & G), flying aircrafts, and his initial interest in firearms. Lastly, Berger talks about becoming a member of the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bradley Rothermel conducted by Claytee D. White on July 31, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Rothermel discusses his career as a coach for the Chicago Cubs and athletic director at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) from 1981 to 1990, as well as the history of the athletic programs at UNLV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pat Moreo conducted by Claytee D. White on September 13, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Moreo discusses his impressions of Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967. He talks about living in Tonopah Hall, the first dorm on campus at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Moreo then mentions introducing The Bistro as part of a senior management course, building staff, and opinions on food, and hospitality. Moreo finishes with the importance of sports to UNLV, mentions of Jerry Tarkanian and the Runnin' Rebels, plans and opinions on the future of the Hotel College, and interconnectedness of various departments.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James E. Reeves conducted by Patricia Elliot on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reeves mainly discusses his work assisting the government perform nuclear weapons tests after being assigned to Las Vegas, Nevada by the Atomic Energy Commission.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arsya Respati conducted by Madison Chang on December 4, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) student Arsya Respati shares his childhood and upbringing in Jakarta, Indonesia and educational background. He discusses his studies at the international BINUS SCHOOL Simprug in Jakarta and his immigration to the United States with his younger brother to pursue the culinary arts at the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV. Arsya Respati talks about his relationship with his parents and their daily communication, his "aunty" who has helped him adjust to American culture and homesickness, his Muslim faith and traditions, and his employment. He also shares his views on Indonesian politics and cultural diversity, and the diversity of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Julia Payne conducted by Claytee D. White on February 11, 2004 and March 07, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Payne discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. She describes discrimination, redlining on the Westside, and recalls the lack of integration at the time. Payne then discusses Jackson Street and compares it to the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Payne talks about Cove Hotel, Hank’s Place, Colony Club, and the decline in African American businesses on Jackson Street. In the second interview, Payne discusses welfare rights, changes to the Westside and growth of suburban areas. She describes her employment with the Southern Nevada Drug Abuse Council and becoming the first African American substance abuse counselor. Lastly, Payne discusses her position as Executive Director of Nevada Treatment Center.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Albert Schouten conducted by Roger DeSart on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schouten discusses his family background in Las Vegas, Nevada dating back to 1924 and recalls growing up in Las Vegas. Schouten then describes the changes that the city went through and growth of Las Vegas at large. Later in the interview, Schouten discusses the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the opening of Boulder (Hoover) Dam with President Roosevelt, the increase in number of schools, and the construction of Nevada Southern University (later University of Nevada, Las Vegas). Lastly, Schouten shares his thoughts on how Las Vegas lost its sense of community, and discusses the increase of crime in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection