Oral history interview with Kirk Kerkorian conducted by K.J. Evans on February 10, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview Kirk Kerkorian discusses Howard Hughes and Jerry Williams and how they were two men who he respected and learned from. He also talks about how Jerry Williams introduced him to Las Vegas, Nevada. He then discusses how he was ecstatic when he saw Las Vegas for the first time and how he helped build Bally's, The International, and the MGM Grand Hotel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald L. Eckert conducted by Robert A. Kamp on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview Donald Eckert discusses the geographical boundaries of Las Vegas when he was first born and the types of recreation people would take part in. He then talks about the Helldorado Parade, how the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has changed, the MGM Grand Hotel fire, horse racing, changes in gaming, the Basic Magnesium plant, and the development of Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Margaret D. Colton conducted by John C. Isham II on October 03, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Colton discusses her arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada and shares the story of how Searchlight, Nevada became a mining town after Colton’s husband's grandfather, George Frederick Colton, struck gold in the Superstitution Mountains. She also talks about the growth of mining in Searchlight. Throughout the interview, Margaret D. Colton is often referred to as Mrs. Gordon Colton.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Terry Wood conducted by Gretchen Schraeder on November 14, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, Wood describes her childhood in Dearborn, Michigan and the racial discrimination there. She describes meeting her husband and moving to Dallas, Texas for his job with General Dynamics. Wood describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and her life working and living in the downtown area. She details the restaurants, shopping, and gaming in the area. She also provides accounts of attending shows and meeting famous entertainers primarily at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jackie Brantley conducted by Claytee White on October 27, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Brantley begins her interview by briefly discussing her family history and parents' jobs in Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1940s. Brantley then goes on to discuss segregation in Las Vegas. She discusses segregation on the Strip, and in pools, schools, and nightclubs. Afterwards, Brantley discusses her career experiences working for the Clark County School District and her management position at the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino in the early 1970s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nathaniel Whaley conducted by John Grygo on March 06, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Whaley talks about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and his adult life on the Westside, the historic Las Vegas neighborhood. Whaley discusses having a successful high school career as an accomplished athlete and being an Eagle Scout in the first black Boy Scout troop in the area. Whaley talks about going on to have a fruitful career as a mason and contractor that helped build the city of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Suzette Cox conducted by Andrew Lazarus on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Suzette Cox discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She then discusses her careers in the police departments and a local newspaper company. Topics also included racial discrimination, sports, and how the development of the Strip influenced her life while attending school in Las Vegas, as well as its relation to tourism and aboveground atomic testing.
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 Arno Marsh conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 08, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Marsh moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957. After transferring into the Las Vegas union in 1959, he signed on to perform with Charlie Ventura at the old Thunderbird Hotel. Marsh recalls playing at several different hotels on the Las Vegas strip as well as sharing the stage with a number of famous entertainers in the business. His recollections span several decades and cover a variety of topics related to the Las Vegas jazz scene.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Katherine McKee conducted by Claytee D. White on September 3, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In her interview McKee discusses her career dancing at the Mint, The Silver Slipper's Minsky's Burlesque, and the Dune's Viva Les Girls. She also discusses her performances on the road with Les Girls Montreal road show as well and her experience as Sammy Davis' "road wife."
Archival Collection