Oral history interview with Barbara Cole conducted by Claytee D. White on June 29, 2005 for the the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Barbara Cole talks about the history of African Americans in Las Vegas, Nevada previous to the 1950s. She discusses her early childhood and her large family, as well as the family's contributions to the community. Barbara shares her thoughts on the race relations in Las Vegas throughout her life and details some of her own personal experiences with it. She also shares her knowledge of the foundation of Las Vegas' Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ed Walters conducted by David Schwartz on April 20, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Walters discusses his career working in various Las Vegas, Nevada casinos, primarily the Sands Hotel and Casino. He begins with discussing his time as a teenage pool player and card hustler in New York City before his move to Las Vegas in 1959. Walters held positions working the casino floor, as a pit boss, and as a casino manager.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alan Greenberg conducted by David G. Schwartz on February 08, 2007 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Greenburg discusses his personal experiences with Jay Sarno. He describes attending school with Sarno at the University of Missouri and Sarno’s plan to open up casinos and hotels. Lastly, Greenburg talks about Sarno’s career in gaming, the opening of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, and recalls anecdotes of their friendship together.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Woodrow Long conducted by Ana Humphrey on October 05, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Long discusses his early life in Panaca, Nevada, his mining job in Pioche, Nevada during the 1930s and 1940s, as well as his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s. Long also discusses building Boulder (Hoover) Dam power lines and constructing Las Vegas housing. Long also briefly discusses his education at the University of Nevada, Reno, his family, and his experiences with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Quincella Rivers conducted by Claytee D. White on November 20, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Quincella Rivers began by talking about where she grew up, her family life and history with the arts, and her childhood. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979 to finish college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and talks about different jobs and organizations she has participated in. Rivers serves as co-chair of the Youth in Arts for Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, President of the Las Vegas Society, Inc., Advisory Board of Forgotten Song Foundation, and sings with Sweet Adeline International. She talks about the histories of some of the organizations, how she helped out in each of them, what their goals were, and what they did for the community. Lastly, she talks about racism in Las Vegas in the past and her personal experience with racism and segregation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Ward conducted by Charles P. Hall on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ward discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and his experience in the city as an African American. Ward describes the jobs African Americans were hired for in Las Vegas during the 1940s and his teaching career. He describes segregation and discrimination in the school system and in casinos. He also talks about how African American police officers were only allowed to patrol West Las Vegas, housing availability, and organized crime in the city. Lastly, Ward talks about his involvement in local politics, the beginnings of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the development of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Winnie Prince conducted by Irene Rostine on May 18, 1995 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Prince opens her interview by discussing her history in Las Vegas, Nevada, which began when she moved to the city in 1942. Prince describes her husband's experiences living in a Las Vegas tent city, and her life in St. George, Utah prior to her move to Las Vegas. She also talks about her brief employment at the Basic Magnesium plant just before the end of World War II. Prince discusses her job responsibilities at the plant, and the importance of accuracy in her job as a shell casting inspector. Lastly, she describes her husband's job as a guard at the Basic Magnesium plant and the ways rationing affected daily life, including commuting to work and feeding her family.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eldon Cunningham conducted by Randall Williams on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Cunningham talks about why he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, his experience in World War II, his work with Clark County Electric, his work at the Nevada Test Site, experiments at the Nevada Test Site, and his former hunting practices.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cindy Baca conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 22, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project.
Cindy Baca, born and raised in Las Vegas, talks about her family and occupation as a librarian at Escobedo Middle School. Cindy's twin daughters were present and injured during the Route 91 Festival and October 1 shooting. She describes their experiences and the Random Acts of Kindness project she piloted at her school after the incident.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oscar Goodman conducted by David Schwartz on January 05, 2009 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Goodman discusses initially meeting Jay Sarno and representing him as his lawyer. He remembers the allegations of organized crimes within Sarno’s properties, Las Vegas gaming at the time, and Sarno’s involvement with the development of Las Vegas. Lastly, Goodman talks about becoming Mayor of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection