Oral history interview with Eugene Williams conducted by Claytee White on July 18, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Williams discusses being signed to a musical group called the Platters in 1970, and performing with them for eighteen years. Williams also talks about his temporary hiatus form music to focus on his family, then returning to music through an ex-Platters group called the Sound of the Platters.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eliot King conducted by an unknown collector on October 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. King discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and gives his opinions on the city as it went through changes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert E. Lake conducted by A.D. Hopkins on September 27, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lake discusses how the layout of Las Vegas, Nevada has changed since he first arrived there.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Will Vicuna conducted by Stefani Evans on June 23 and July 3, 2023 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In the first interview, Vicuna goes into detail about his family's history, and his parents' life in Quezon, Philippines. When his brother sent Will a postcard of the newly opened Hilton Hotel and Casino, Will decided he would move to Las Vegas as soon as he completed his psychology degree in 1970. He concludes the first interview discussing his employment at the Hilton and the Flamingo Hilton, his 1972 marriage, and his 1973 UNLV graduation in Hotel Administration. In the second interview, Vicuna talks about his wife, Felicidad, who graduated from University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila in Medical Technology. He shares details about her career, and then talks about his own career in hospitality, working in a number of Las Vegas hotels including the Hilton and Flamingo Hilton, Palace Station, Peppermill Mesquite, and the Golden Eagle in Pahrump. Throughout the interviews, Vicuna discusses family reunions in Las Vegas, shopping for Filipino food, and eating at various restaurants around town. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Lee Tilman conducted by Dennis McBride on February 06, 11, 13, 17, and 22; May 28; and July 09, 1996 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In the interviews, Tilman discusses his birth in Gooding, Idaho in 1913, his early life, and his arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931. Tilman then talks about his experiences mining, milling, and ranching before moving to Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, Tilman was involved with construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and labor issues. Later, Tilman describes fishing and boating in the Colorado River, working at a duplex mine in Searchlight, Nevada, and working at the Las Vegas Ice House. Lastly, Tilman talks about influential Boulder City residents he knew, his children, and the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Burns conducted by Sandy Fink on April 03, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Burns discusses the early history of Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s and 1950s. Burns also discusses the various jobs he has held including cook, dishwasher, clerk, pipe fitter, and salesman.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bunny Harris conducted by Kenneth P. Young on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project. This interview offers an overview of the history of Las Vegas, including transportation, mining, farming, ranching, and housing. During the interview, Mrs. Bunny Harris discusses the Elks Club, Cashman Field, McCarran Airport, Howard Hughes and Nellis Air Force Base.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Joan Swift conducted by Sue Peterson on March 18, 2004, March 25, 2004, and June 22, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Swift discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s and 1950s. Swift begins the interview by describing her upbringing in the Basic townsite and Boulder City, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and life in Southern Nevada during World War II. She then discusses working in the Clark County Recorder's office, explaining her job duties and what function the office served for the county. Swift continues, talking about recreation activities at the time, including visiting the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and the Helldorado Parades. Swift discusses nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site and her career as the Clark County recorder. Lastly, she describes her thoughts on the future of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carus Lortz conducted by Corrado R. Carey on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lortz talks about his life and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. He specifically talks about his religious background and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Olenda Purdy conducted by Mark Miller on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Purdy discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She specifically talks about her family history, gambling in Las Vegas, and the changes in the Las Vegas economy and environment since the 1960s.
Archival Collection