Oral history interview with Arsya Respati conducted by Madison Chang on December 4, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) student Arsya Respati shares his childhood and upbringing in Jakarta, Indonesia and educational background. He discusses his studies at the international BINUS SCHOOL Simprug in Jakarta and his immigration to the United States with his younger brother to pursue the culinary arts at the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV. Arsya Respati talks about his relationship with his parents and their daily communication, his "aunty" who has helped him adjust to American culture and homesickness, his Muslim faith and traditions, and his employment. He also shares his views on Indonesian politics and cultural diversity, and the diversity of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joy Rineer conducted by Claytee D. White on December 07, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Rineer discusses her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her career as an architect, designing the Resilience Center for those affected by the 1 October shooting, and the city’s response to the shooting. Later, Rineer describes helping the grief-stricken city through architecture, establishing the Leadership Las Vegas program, and organizing blood drives. Lastly, Rineer discusses the changes in Las Vegas after the tragedy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward Tabor conducted by Mary Livingston on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tabor discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1941 at the Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunnery School (Nellis Air Force Base) where he did administrative work. Tabor then discusses his work in television, sales, and recalls the growth of gambling throughout Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christine Szukala conducted by Bridgette Foote on November 12, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Christine shares her family history and the story of her Thai mother and American Air Force father who met in Thailand and married before moving to the United States in 1970. She talks about her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada near Nellis Air Force base with her six siblings. Christine discusses her beliefs of how her newly immigrated mother adapted to American life, including altering her recipes to fit her husband's taste and reducing her visits to nearby Buddhist temples.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lubertha Johnson conducted by Larry Buckner on February 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Lubertha Johnson discusses her family background, work experience, civic activity, and philosophy. She talks about discrimination in the workplace for Black people, segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada, and her forty year membership in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples (NAACP). She also discusses the historic Westside neighborhood and its schools, the prejudice Black performers faced in the 1950s and 1960s, and how she feels disappointed in President Jimmy Carter.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Walter V. Long conducted by Patricia Truman on October 19, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Long discusses early buildings and communities around Las Vegas High School, as well as his experiences as a teacher and principal in Las Vegas, Nevada. Long also discusses his early life before coming to Las Vegas, family, education, politics, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steve Schiller conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 01, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Schiller discusses his upbringing in Fillmore, California. He describes attending the California Polytechnic State University, studying structural engineering, and explains the type of work he does on buildings. Schiller then talks about the demolition of The Harmon Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, buildings he has done planning for, and collaborating with building owners when constructing a new building. Later, Schiller discusses the development of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, the Venetian, and Paris Las Vegas. Lastly, Schiller talks about the lasting issues that resulted from the Great Recession in 2007.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carl Mortensen conducted by Carloyn Grattan on March 03, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mortensen discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951. Mortensen discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam as well as the growth of Las Vegas. Mortensen also discusses atomic testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl Preston conducted by Melanie Viola on February 13, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Preston discusses his life experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about working for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, ownership of Frontier Cable Company, and his musical activities, including his experience as a member of the Helldorado Hillbilly Band. He also talks about his religious background.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dayvid Figler conducted by Claytee White on July 28, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. In this interview, Figler discusses moving with his family to Las Vegas, Nevada as a toddler and growing up in an apartment near the Las Vegas Convention Center. After graduating law school in Arizona, Figler returned to Las Vegas and, in 2000, purchased a home in the John S. Park neighborhood. Figler talks about the ownership history of the house, neighbors including casino owner Bob Stupak and Nevada senator Bob Coffin, and the growth and development of the John S. Park Historic District.
Archival Collection