Oral history interview with Sara P. Denton conducted by Claytee D. White on July 13, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Denton discusses her work in charity activities in Boulder City, Nevada, especially Art in the Park. She also talks about working on political campaigns for Howard Cannon, Grant Sawyer, and Alan Bible in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Saul Willis conducted by Claytee D. White on January 14, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Willis discusses his personal history and moving from Sondheimer, Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. He talks about living in West Las Vegas, nightlife entertainment in the area, and community leaders at the time. He then recalls the increase of drug use in the Westside, being incarcerated for a year, and starting an automobile mechanic business. Lastly, Willis discusses his experience with the Las Vegas court system and the continued development of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Beth Rosenberg conducted by Jerry Masini on November 18, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rosenberg describes coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and the desert landscape she saw when she came here. She gives an in-depth recollection of the first atomic test, and talks about the weather and the seasons in Las Vegas. Rosenberg describes several clubs and hotels around downtown and the recreation at Lake Mead and Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosemary Witt conducted by Claytee D. White on November 7, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Witt discusses the faculty and where classes were taught at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and type of research being done. Witt also discusses the human simulator and its relevance to hands-on nursing. She addresses nursing shortages at UNLV, effects of doubling student enrollment, changing class schedules, shortening semesters, and requiring summer classes in effort to graduate nurses faster.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Miguel Villarba conducted by David Islas on December 6, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
In this interview, Miguel Villarba shares his family's history growing up in Manila, Philippines and immigrating to the United States in 2016. He talks about first living in Chattanooga, Tennessee before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to be near family when Miguel was in high school. Miguel Villarba shares stories of his grandfather's farm in Pangasinan, Philippines, the differences in city and town life across Manila, Chattanooga, and Las Vegas, and his educational plans. He also talks about Filipino culture and traditions, and racial discrimination.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Sklansky conducted by Claytee D. White on October 19, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Sklansky arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967. While in Las Vegas, he recalls working as the mathematical consultant to Bob Stupak for many years where he developed some of the games used in Stupak's Vegas World Casino. He also taught poker and gambling, and was entered in The Griffin Book which contained names and photographss of people who found ways to win in the casino by legal means.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ronald Simone conducted by Claytee D. White on May 05, 2009 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview Ronald Simone discusses his upbringing in Connecticut, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in September 1960 with his friend Joe Mack, and his career as a jazz musician working at various lounges and showrooms throughout Las Vegas. He also discusses the various famous people he performed for and the July 1989 musicians strike.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brenda Arnold conducted by Janet E. Prince on February 28, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Arnold discusses her career as a librarian, her religious activities in Las Vegas, Nevada, and viewing the above-ground atomic testing. She also recounts activities she did while visiting Lake Mead and Harris Springs at Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
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
Oral history interview with Florence Smith conducted by her grandson, Sam Smith, on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses the police department for Las Vegas, Nevada and crime in the city. She describes employment levels, the ease and difficulty of finding work, and where someone can find jobs. Smith talks about raising her children and federal government ownership of land in Nevada.
Archival Collection