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Virginia James oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-00936

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Virginia James conducted by Claytee D. White on various dates in October and November 2004, and March and July 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, James describes her experiences as a dancer with the Texas Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel and Casino, and with the Jayne Mansfield Show and Folies Bergère at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls her early life in Texas, learning how to dance, and applying to be a dancer at the Sands in 1957. James details the audition process, her first impressions of Las Vegas upon arriving, and memories of her performances. Other subjects James covers include her marriages, her children, and other occupations she held later in life.

Archival Collection

James Hogan oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00870

Abstract

Oral history interview with James Hogan conducted by Patty L. Baratti on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hogan talks about his time working with the telephone company in Arizona and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses his time working on grazing rights and cattle ranching in Nevada and how planning went to ensure that farms were able to have land to graze their animals. He speaks about dealing with farmers, corporations, and the government and the frustrations he had to deal with before there were set laws about grazing. He also discusses the change from mainly family farms in Nevada to corporations owning much of the farmland.

Archival Collection

Junell Bowman oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02093

Abstract

Oral history interview with Junell Bowman conducted by Anna Huddleston on March 09, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bowman begins by describing her early history as a singer in California, performing on the radio, different orchestras, and nightclubs before marrying her husband and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. Bowman discusses becoming a sketch artist after managing an unsuccessful business, doing portraits and caricatures of people in the casinos, at conventions, and on the Las Vegas Strip. She talks about the celebrities and entertainers she met and did caricatures for while working at casinos like the Stardust and Riviera, and the amount of work that went into being a professional sketch artist.

Archival Collection

Jack Cherry oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00179

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dr. Jack Cherry conducted by Lowell Christie on June 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cherry discusses environmental change in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cherry also recalls experiencing an atomic bomb test.

Archival Collection

Irving Kirshbaum oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01028

Abstract

Oral history interview with Irving Kirshbaum conducted by Cheryl Rogers on February 23, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Kirshbaum discusses the Riviera Hotel where he began working in 1955. He also talks about the landscape of the Las Vegas Strip in the 1950s, and the state of gambling, comps, customer service, and dealer training. Kirshabum discusses the treatment of minorities at the Riviera and in Las Vegas, Nevada generally.

Archival Collection

Houghton Peterson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01476

Abstract

Oral history interview with Houghton Peterson conducted by Claytee D. White on May 20, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Peterson discusses playing the trombone in the United States Air Force jazz band, “Airmen of Note.” He also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 and playing the trombone in various shows.

Archival Collection

Richard A. Leigon oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02937

Abstract

Oral history interview with Richard A. Leigon conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 12, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Leigon discusses John S. Park Elementary School, John C. Fremont Junior High School, and Boy Scout Troop 69 at Griffith Methodist Church. Leigon also discusses his father’s, Ralph A. Leigon, contributions to Las Vegas, Nevada, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and his own lengthy career with IBEW that bridged labor management.

Archival Collection

Richard Plaster oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03158

Abstract

Oral history interview with Richard Plaster conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 21, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Plaster discusses his early life in Santa Monica, California, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. He recalls his early interests in real estate, forming his company Signature Homes, and the first home building projects he was involved in. Lastly, Plaster describes land acquisition during the late 1970s, building mass housing, and his role as President of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (SNHBA).

Archival Collection

Marie Schamaun oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01676

Abstract

Oral history interview with Marie Schamaun conducted by Elie Elias on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schamaun discusses her personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Schamaun discusses being a member of the first Methodist church in Las Vegas and her involvement with an auxiliary of the Optimist Club which helped young girls. Schamaun describes how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed since she first moved to the city in 1947, and how the city has changed socially. Schamaun also discusses nuclear weapons tests, youth centers in Las Vegas, and the important role the youth centers have in the city.

Archival Collection

Ivan Jackson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00929

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ivan Jackson conducted by Sandy Steel on February 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Jackson’s life in Southern Nevada. Jackson talks about his work on the Union Pacific Railroad as well as working with the Hampton Construction Company. Jackson also discusses environmental changes due to a growing population in Southern Nevada and its impact on hunting. The interview concludes with a discussion on the development of North Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection