Oral history interview with Amalette Wilson conducted by James Greene on January 09, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Wilson discusses her work for the Boulder City, Nevada community as a member of the Boulder City Charter Commission.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stan Armstrong conducted by Megan Laub on December 02, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Armstrong discusses his childhood in West Las Vegas, Nevada and describes the neighborhood where he grew up. Armstrong recalls Westside businesses, nightlife, and entertainment that existed on Jackson Street. He then talks about his educational experiences, the racial segregation of schools at the time, and his employment at various stores on the Westside as a teenager. Later, Armstrong discusses the riots that erupted on the Westside in 1969 and shares how it affected the community. He goes on to recall riots that took place at Rancho High School while he was a student there. Lastly, Armstrong talks about his career as a filmmaker and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Audrey James conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20 and July 27, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. James discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952 and working as an elementary school teacher. She also discusses starting a project to provide books for children in African countries, being an active church member, and volunteering in a food bank operation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alan Clancy conducted by Su Kim Chung on February 12, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Alan Clancy discusses his childhood in Australia, performing all over the world starting at the age of 17, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada at 21 because he got a contract to dance. Clancy also discusses the celebrities he has performed for, the showgirls he has worked with, gay life in Las Vegas, opening a vintage store with his partner, and his life and career in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Trippy conducted by Claytee D. White on October 21, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Trippy begins by describing his upbringing in Denver, Colorado and his early interests in art, which eventually lead him to study at the Colorado Institute of Art while working as an illustrator for the military in Fort Carson, Colorado. He discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 to work as an artist at Nellis Air Force Base creating paintings, and he explains how he made a bronze eagle sculpture as a memorial to fallen fighter pilots. Trippy talks about being a part of the Desert Sculptors group, which was a collective of local artists and sculptors who were briefly based in Lorenzi Park, where they also made the bust of David G. Lorenzi. Trippy also discusses constructing his own personal studio, taking art classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and specific artists he worked with or was friends with.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen M. Clark conducted by Danny Winegar on March 05, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Helen Clark speaks about her family's move to Las Vegas, Nevada and working as a secretary. She then discusses the beginning of tract home building, gambling, and the building of the Hoover Dam. She also mentions life during the Great Depression, prostitution in Block 16, and the Helldorado celebration. Clark then talks about the first hotels and casinos that were built on the Las Vegas Strip and the mob's influence over those hotels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard G. McCracken conducted by Claytee D. White on September 30, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. McCracken discusses multiple labor unions in Chicago, Illinois and Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls various strikes, women in union leadership positions, and how the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 was different from the typical labor union in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edna French conducted by Helen Littleton on November 18, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. French discusses her life in Boulder City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thelma Coblentz conducted by Judith Chavez on February 17, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Coblentz discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and some of the medical services she helped to provide at Nellis Air Force Base. Coblentz later describes Downtown Las Vegas, specifically the development of the casinos and shopping businesses. Coblentz concludes with a discussion on the first physicians in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Mark French on April 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tomiyasu begins by discussing his father's immigration from Japan to North America in 1898, and his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1916. He talks about his father's work in agriculture and the types of crops grown in Las Vegas during the early twentieth century. Tomiyasu also discusses his own upbringing in Las Vegas, how the city has changed and grown, and his education. Tomiyasu describes the Native Americans of Southern Nevada, the environmental changes caused by the construction of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), and his experiences as a Japanese American in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection