Oral history interview with David Ober conducted by Stefani Evans on October 11, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Ober discusses his upbringing in Tucson, Arizona and talks about his parents’ careers. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1989 to work for his father’s home building business, R. A. Homes, and opening his real estate company, Jorant Commercial. Ober describes joining Temple Beth Sholom, his involvement with the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association, and developing the Desert Shores community. Later, Ober discusses his mother’s career as a teacher in the Clark County School District (CCSD) and her contributions in designing the first program for visually impaired students. Lastly, Ober talks about CCSD naming a school in honor of his parents.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dale Kimball conducted by Dennis McBride on May 16, 1999 and January 1, 2001 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Kimball discusses their personal impressions of and historical information about the people who donated to the Nevada Coalition for the Protection of Marriage, an organization which opposed same sex marriage. The interview consists entirely of Kimball reading through a list of donors to the Coalition and providing personal anecdotes on each individual.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Irene Vanderhoof conducted by Robert Coleman on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vanderhoof begins by describing her family history and environmental changes in Southern Nevada. She talks about living on a Hopi Native American reservation in Arizona and the customs of the Hopi tribe. Vanderhoof goes on to discuss living in Las Vegas, Nevada, her faith as a Baha'i, and observing the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). She concludes by listing her issues with the local school system and the effects of politics on it.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Hanson conducted by Randy Martin on March 05, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In his interview Hanson discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history, Howard Hughes, African Americans in Las Vegas, social classes, and hotel entertainment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thalia Dondero conducted by Susan Scott on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dondero first speaks about her background and the circumstances which led her to move to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also talks about her children, her work with the Parent-Teacher Association, and her service with the Nevada State Park Commission. She also describes the development of the Las Vegas Strip, her involvement in various organizations, her consideration in running for governor, and some of the topics she handled as a commissioner for the county.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tanya Olson conducted by Claytee D. White on July 6, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Olson recalss beginning October 2, 2017 to photograph scenes surrounding the aftermath of the shooting at the Route 91 Country Music Festival. Her efforts culminated in a film that highlights the Healing Garden, a memorial established after the shooting. It was dedicated on the first Friday of October 2017. Her 6-minute film, Forever In Our Hearts, is described as "Citizens unite to provide kindness and salve the wounds caused by the October 1, 2017 massacre during a Las Vegas country concert." The film was shown at the Nevada Women's Film Festival in 2018. Olson discusses beginning her latest endeavor, matriculating at the American Film Institute, a lifelong dream that she is pursuing after 23 years in the military, a film degree from University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and completing her film project on one of the worst massacres in American history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hattie Canty conducted by Claytee White on February 27 and June 17, 1998 for the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Hattie Canty recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1960s and working as a maid for the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino and later the Maxim Hotel and Casino. Canty discusses her tenure as the Culinary Union Local 226 President during which she faced several labor challenges and went to jail at least six times while striking. Hattie also recalls how she influenced contract negotiations for the downtown hotels, improved race relations among workers, involved more members in union operations, and implemented the Culinary Training School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Phyllis M. Silvestri conducted by Claytee D. White on January 11, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park neighborhood Oral History Project. In this interview Phyllis Silvestri discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, specifically to the historic John S. Park neighborhood. She talks about interesting features of her home like a bomb-shelter. She then discusses how her children were discriminated against in the neighborhood when going outside to play because they are Italian.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by James Weslowski on April 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan discusses his memory of the beginning of Nellis Air Force Base, originally named the Las Vegas Aerial Gunnery School for the Army Air Corps. He also discusses the role of the city commissioners in establishing Nellis as a permanent airbase, as well as the role of Western Air Express, a commercial air company which eventually became Western Airlines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vernon G. Stockall conducted by Aurora Wright on March 07, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stockall discusses arriving in Boulder City, Nevada in 1935 and describes how the Great Depression caused people to migrate westward. He then recalls working as a pipe fitter at the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and explains the type of work that he did. Lastly, Stockall discusses the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada as the population increased.
Archival Collection