Oral history interview with Quincella Rivers conducted by Claytee D. White on November 20, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Quincella Rivers began by talking about where she grew up, her family life and history with the arts, and her childhood. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979 to finish college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and talks about different jobs and organizations she has participated in. Rivers serves as co-chair of the Youth in Arts for Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, President of the Las Vegas Society, Inc., Advisory Board of Forgotten Song Foundation, and sings with Sweet Adeline International. She talks about the histories of some of the organizations, how she helped out in each of them, what their goals were, and what they did for the community. Lastly, she talks about racism in Las Vegas in the past and her personal experience with racism and segregation.
Oral history interview with Stuart Mason conducted by Claytee White on November 09, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Mason discusses his company, Taylor Construction, and gives an overview of the hotels the company has built and background information about them. He then describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to build Caesars Palace in 1964 and how the Civil Rights Movement impacted the construction scene. He then talks about old and new building projects, and the differences between being his own boss and working for someone else.
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.
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.
Oral history interview with Lucille Matyas conducted by Michael Bernstein on February 23, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Matyas discusses moving from Ohio to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1935. Matyas also discusses her work with the Southern Nevada Telephone Company, the Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co., Inc. (REECo) in association with the Nevada Test Site, her life as a housewife, and her work with the Central Telephone (Centel) Corporation.
Oral history interview with Yocheved Mintz conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 11, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Rabbi Mintz discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1997 with her husband, the founder of Cenegenics. She also talks about becoming a spiritual leader of what is now known as Congregation P'nai Tikvah in 2005.
Oral history interview with George Ward conducted by Charles P. Hall on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ward discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and his experience in the city as an African American. Ward describes the jobs African Americans were hired for in Las Vegas during the 1940s and his teaching career. He describes segregation and discrimination in the school system and in casinos. He also talks about how African American police officers were only allowed to patrol West Las Vegas, housing availability, and organized crime in the city. Lastly, Ward talks about his involvement in local politics, the beginnings of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the development of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Burton Cohen conducted by Claytee White on January 09, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Burt reflects on the positions he held in numerous famous Las Vegas, Nevada Strip casinos, the celebrities he hired and befriended, and offers a unique look at the behind the scenes marketing and entertainment strategies that he helmed. He shares stories of becoming entrenched in casino operations and his reflections of union experiences.
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.
Oral history interview with Shelley Berkley conducted by Michael Geeser on January 9, 2006 for the I Remember When: Recollections from Las Vegas Jewish Leaders Oral History Project. Berkley talks about her career as a Jewish woman legislator, about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and about issues such as Medicare, education, and Israel. She also answers questions from the audience.