Oral history interview with James L. Willcox conducted by Carol Benner on March 04, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Willcox discusses working in a research office at the Nevada Test Site for the National Weather Service as a research meteorologist. Willcox later discusses the overall changes to Las Vegas, Nevada, specifically the effects that population increase had on the desert.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dennis Wilson conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on October 2, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Wilson discusses his early life in Arabi, Louisiana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1971. He recalls playing a variety of woodwind instruments for Wayne Cochran, the C. C. Riders, and traveling across the United States during the 1970s. After traveling internationally for a brief period, Wilson returned to Las Vegas and began playing for bands in Las Vegas casinos. He recalls working on musicals such as Avenue Q, Spamalot, and Phantom of the Opera. Lastly, Wilson discusses teaching music as a paraprofessional at Johnson Junior High.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Habbart conducted by David R. Patt on March 07, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview offers an overview of life in Las Vegas, Nevada in the early days, which included: atomic testing, floods, prostitution on Block 16, early Fremont Street and Duck Creek. Also discussed during this interview: Sunset Park, The Roosevelts, Bugsy Siegel, local government and the Hoover Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Michael Maxwell conducted by Claytee D. White on February 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Maxwell discusses his personal history and his role as Director of Early Childhood Connection with the Las Vegas, Nevada Urban League. He describes the work he does with childcare, and how the Urban League receives funding. Maxwell also recalls his career as a teacher and administrator for the Clark County School District (CCSD). Later, Maxwell talks about the issue of school zoning in West Las Vegas, how people qualify for childcare subsidies, and the school-to-prison pipeline that many African American youth face. Lastly, Maxwell discusses the importance of having educated children in the African American community and the development of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kathy War conducted by Claytee D. White on February 26, 2009 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. War discusses coming to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband in 1968. She discusses her work at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries in the Curriculum Materials Library, in the Circulation Department, and in Special Collections where she was in charge of the photograph collections.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Santo Savino conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 23, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Santo Savino discusses his childhood, playing for the Air Force band, marrying his wife, and moving to California. He also discusses coming to Las Vegas, Nevada to play with a band in 1960, moving to Las Vegas, and working with a permanent band.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bobby Morris conducted by Cork Proctor on September 07, 2004 for the Arnold Shaw Oral History Project on Las Vegas Entertainers. Morris discusses his early work in New York City, New York and working with many jazz players. He also reflects on playing at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. Morris then discusses how he became Elvis Presley’s musical director at the International Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bruce Layne conducted by Claytee D. White on 2004 June 18, June 29, July 13, and July 20 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bruce Layne discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 at ten years old, his two childhood friends Governor Bob Miller and Tito Tiberti, and becoming president of Layne and Associates, the largest insurance agency in Nevada. He then discusses the growth of Las Vegas, life in Las Vegas, having Parkinson's disease, running for lieutenant governor, and his insurance business.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marcia Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on February 14, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Marcia Washington discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada at age thirteen and only attending black only schools. She talks about fun times from her childhood, her family life after getting married in 1972, and becoming the first African American on the State Board of Education in 2000.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Monahan conducted by Colleen F. Karnes on February 28, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Monahan, a county engineer, discusses the history of flood control management in Las Vegas, Nevada and throughout Clark County. Monahan explains the seriousness of flooding in the city, how flooding is managed, and the solutions for flood prevention. Monahan also discusses the evolution of the Clark County Department of Public Works.
Archival Collection