Oral history interview with Marlin Robison conducted by Claytee D. White on July 02, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Robison discusses his upbringing in Cedar City, Utah and in Overton, Nevada. He remembers growing up in poverty, the abusive relationship with his stepfather, and the various jobs he held throughout his youth. Robison talks about moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1950 and working as a counselor with the Juvenile Justice System. Lastly, Marlin discusses the growth of Henderson and the redevelopment of the Water Street District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bob Colucci conducted by David Schwartz on April 29, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Colucci discusses his early life in Brooklyn, New York and first job in the newspaper delivery business, his military career, and his return to work for the New York Herald Tribune newspaper. He continues talking about the newspaper business, his advancement, and his work with the union. He then begins talking about his interest in boxing and how this interest led to his involvement in the sport as a trainer and manager.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Murphy conducted by Donald Sutherland on February 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Murphy discusses his life in Henderson, Nevada. Murphy describes the growth of the city and briefly talks about subjects such as atomic bomb testing, indoor heating, and his career in the U.S. Navy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ralph Denton conducted by K.J. Evans on January 10, 2000 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. Denton first talks about his personal friendship with Governor Grant Sawyer, their education in law school, and his eventual work on campaigning for Sawyer after he became governor. Denton then speaks about working as Sawyer’s adviser. Toward the end of the interview, Denton describes his work on improving civil rights and some of the challenges that came with that.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Mugleston Kelly conducted by Claytee D. White on August 07, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mugleston Kelly discusses attending Las Vegas High School and being a dancer in the Rhythmettes, Las Vegas High School's female dance group. She describes Evelyn Stuckey, the coach for the group, the performances the Rhythmettes had at different venues, and life in Las Vegas during the 1950s. Mugleston Kelly also talks about owning and operating liquor stores and bars with her husband, how Las Vegas has changed, and her family history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John J. Weeteling conducted by his son, Terry Weeteling, on April 07, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Weeteling describes moving to Tonopah, Nevada in 1942 while enlisted in the United States Air Force and life in the town. He talks about moving to Ely, Nevada in 1945 and working there as a truck driver, how Ely has grown and changed, and opening a paint and body shop in Hawthorne, Nevada. Weeteling continues, explaining why he moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1947, joining the fire department on the Basic Magnesium Plant compound, and describes life in Henderson. He then describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951, Fremont Street during the 1950s, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Weeteling concludes by discussing local politicians, his recreational activities, ghost towns in Nevada, and nuclear weapons testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Norman Christiansen conducted by James Courtney on November 28, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christiansen describes his family, and background before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956 from Montana. Christiansen then talks about working at the Nevada Test Site and about his career as a teacher. He speaks about the various changes he has noticed over the years in Las Vegas, including those in climate, pollution, economy, occupation, and standard of living.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ann McGinley conducted by Claytee White on August 01, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. McGinley discusses her careers working as a lawyer and teaching at several law schools before coming to teach at the Boyd Law School at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1999.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Asalee Harris conducted by Claytee D. White on May 17, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Asalee Harris was born in Fortune Fork, outside of Tallulah, Louisiana. Born into a family of cotton sharecroppers, farm life was arduous; eventually she and her family moved to Tallulah where she met and married her husband, James. Asalee and James moved to Las Vegas in 1954 where James' brother lived. She details her work as a maid and member of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, local businesses she remembers on Jackson Street including Wesley's Barber Shop, Johnson's Grocery Store, Elite Market, the Westside Credit Union, and her church work at New Jerusalem Church. Subjects discussed include: sharecropping, Tallulah, Louisiana, Westside Credit Union, and New Jerusalem Church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kaity Webber conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 16, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Kaity Webber describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and earning her degree in psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Webber discusses the excitement she had going to the Route 91 Harvest festival with a friend on the weekend of the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas shooting. She talks about her experiences from that night, including how she found shelter in the Thomas & Mack Center with countless others, as well as her process of healing from the traumatic event.
Archival Collection