Oral history interview with Elbert Edwards conducted by Ronald Johns in 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Edwards discusses his work in Las Vegas, Nevada public schools during the Great Depression. The two also discuss the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, Edwards’ involvement in politics, and mining in Nevada. He also talks about the development of Boulder City, Nevada, the early territorial boundaries of Nevada and Utah, the atomic testing at the Nevada Test Site, and early water sources in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Su Kim conducted by Ashley Brooke Fuentes on November 21, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
In this interview, Su Kim discusses her family and life in Seoul, Korea. She talks about immigrating alone to the United States to study in Provo, Utah and later transferring to the College of Southern Nevada. Su Kim talks about her immigration experience, the culture shock of coming to America, and the discrimination and racism she has seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Su shares how she met her husband, details of her employment as an office manager, and her plans to pursue a degree in hospitality from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Wilhelm conducted by Claytee D. White on August 12 and 27, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview John Wilhelm discusses how he became a community organizer after college, the many social problems faced in the hospitality industry, and the issues faced in the unions. He also discusses negotiations he made with powerful Las Vegas, Nevada casino owners, contributions by union leaders, and his work after he stepped down from being president of UNITE HERE (Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patsy Leavitt conducted by Patricia Van Betten on April 07, 2005 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Leavitt talks first about her maternal grandmother, who brought her mother and uncle to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931 and opened a boardinghouse that she ran until her death in 1948. She then discusses her father's family, who arrived in Las Vegas in the late 1920s and established a sand and gravel business. She describes her education and her working life in Las Vegas. She then talks about the many changes that Las Vegas went through in the 1950s, from road improvements to new businesses and the growth of the casino industry, to the impact of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site. Finally, she talks about her marriage, her children, and the decision to move to Blue Diamond Village in the early 1990s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth W. Fong conducted by Lois Goodall on February 22, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 1. Fong discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and being the son of two successful and philanthropic community members, Wing and Lilly Fong. Fong also discusses his father starting a grocery store and later in 1955, Fong’s Garden. He then discusses real estate development, Nevada State Bank development, as well as contributing to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Chinatown evolution.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Leone conducted by Lisa Giola-Acres on November 13, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Leone recalls his childhood, education, piano playing, and early career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967 and engagements at various casinos, including playing with singers such as Frank Sinatra, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, and Elvis Presley. He also talks about his work as a board member and president of the Musicians Union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lauren M. Brown conducted by Claytee D. White on February 21, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Lauren M. Brown discusses her history with Las Vegas, Nevada, starting from when she moved to the city in 1997. She describes her experience as one of the many who stood in line to donate blood on October 2, 2017, the day after the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. Brown talks about what stood out on that day, including the overwhelming amount of people waiting to donate blood and the people who brought drinks and pastries for those waiting. She speaks about how that day showed her the heart of Las Vegas and changed her perspective of the city. Brown also discusses her correspondence with the Healing Garden to give ideas for the design of a permanent memorial for the tragedy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Thiriot conducted by Patrick Carlton on April 19, 2007 and May 11, 2007 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Thiriot discusses his early life in Provo, Utah and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes growing up on a ranch, attending Brigham Young University (BYU), and the University of Utah (UoU) during the 1930s. Lastly, Thiriot talks about the importance of education and becoming a teacher.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elbert Edwards conducted by Roger Armstrong on June 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Edwards discusses his life in Panaca and Lincoln County, Nevada. He also talks about Native Americans, Mormonism, and Meadow Valley, Nevada. He discusses the Bennett-Arcan Party, a Death Valley party involved with the 1840s’ gold rushes, and its members.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leo Lewis conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on November 26, 1984 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Lewis discusses the creation of the College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Lewis talks about Jerome Vallen becoming the dean of the College of Hotel Administration and the overall growth of UNLV. Lewis describes his career as a casino executive and later, in 1967, as a professor of management at UNLV.
Archival Collection