Oral history interview with Ellen Rosenbloom conducted by David G. Schwartz on July 09, 2007 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Rosenbloom discusses the life of her father, Sam Sarno, and his brother Jay Sarno. She talks about the opening of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, her uncle's career in gaming, and recalls his plans to open additional hotels and casinos in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Raquel Ward conducted by Claytee D. White on March 25, 2010 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Ward discusses her upbringing and family background in Tierra Blanca, Veracruz, Mexico. She remembers completing nursing school in Mexico, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958, and attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Ward talks about moving to Boulder City, Nevada, raising her children in Las Vegas, and the increase of organized crime during the 1960s. Lastly, Ward discusses the fast growth of the Hispanic community in Las Vegas during the 1970s and Hispanic representation in political positions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hugh Shirkey conducted by Patricia van Betten on February 04, 2010 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Shirkey discusses his personal history and arriving to Blue Diamond, Nevada in 1950. He talks about his employment at the Blue Diamond Mine as an electrician. Shirkey describes what life was like at the village as a single worker, the development of the mining plant, how the plant was managed, and traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada. Lastly, Shirkey recalls moving to Las Vegas and retiring from the mining plant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fluff LeCoque conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 05, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. LeCoque discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada’s entertainment industry. LeCoque recalls her dance experience in Las Vegas including work at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino, and performing as a principal dancer for Arden-Fletcher Productions at the Desert Inn. LeCoque retired from dancing in 1970 but recalls being lured out of retirement by Donn Arden to become company manager of Jubilee at the new MGM Grand Hotel (later renamed Bally's). Finally, she talks about the economic, social, and political changes that occurred in Las Vegas after World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl Snyder conducted by Jeff McGilvray on an unknown date in 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Snyder discusses living in Southern Nevada since 1945. He discusses his employment at the Nevada Test Site and explains how the test site was beneficial for the Nevada economy. Snyder then describes the increase of pollution, population growth, and environmental and social changes in Las Vegas. Lastly, Snyder discusses labor unions and their significance in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Raymond Ellsworth Sutton conducted by Ronnie A. Peters on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sutton discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1941 and recalls the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant and hundreds of homes built in Henderson, Nevada. Sutton then describes his work as an attorney, the Nevada education system, and recalls his experiences as a student at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gabriel Garcia conducted by Monserrath Hernandez and Barbara Tabach on November 13, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Garcia discusses his early life in Arizona and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1984. He remembers attending a sixth grade center, the Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada (PEPCON) explosion, and attending Las Vegas High School. Garcia talks about Mexican culture in Las Vegas, car clubs, and becoming a graphic designer. Lastly, Garcia discusses his involvement with the Association of Latino Professionals for America, and the idea of diversifying the professional workplace.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald Baepler conducted by Suzanne Becker on April 23, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Dr. Donald Baepler discusses his career as a biology professor and administrator at Central Washington University, and various appointments at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) including Academic Vice President (1968), acting President (1969), President (1973), and Chancellor of the university system (1978). He also discusses becoming director of the Majorie Barrick Museum in 1981, and working as a professor of biology at UNLV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Virginia Houser conducted by Karen Reed on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Houser discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954 and the developments and changes that she has observed in the city. Houser also discusses the entertainment that Las Vegas, Nevada offered at the time, and surrounding areas, including Lake Mead and Mount Charleston, Nevada. Houser then discusses some of the first casinos that opened on the Las Vegas Strip and on Fremont Street.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alex Shoofey conducted by David G. Schwartz on March 13, 2003 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Shoofey discusses his personal history as an orphan in Brooklyn, New York. He describes his experience with casino owner Kirk Kerkorian, opening of the Flamingo Hotel, and the clientele that junkets brought to the Las Vegas, Nevada casinos. Shoofey discusses opening the International Hotel and Casino in 1969 and talks about designing the procedures for operating the casino. Lastly, Shoofey recalls Elvis Presley performing at the International Hotel and selling the property to Hilton a year into its operation.
Archival Collection