Oral history interview with John Wilhelm conducted by Claytee D. White on August 12 and 27, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview John Wilhelm discusses how he became a community organizer after college, the many social problems faced in the hospitality industry, and the issues faced in the unions. He also discusses negotiations he made with powerful Las Vegas, Nevada casino owners, contributions by union leaders, and his work after he stepped down from being president of UNITE HERE (Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Celesta Lowe conducted by Patrick Carlton on February 6, 2002 for the Las Vegas Rotary Club Oral History Project. Lowe begins by discussing her early life in Baker, California and her father’s role as a station agent for the Tonopah Tidewater Railroad during the 1920s and 1930s. Lowe then describes her family moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s. Lowe chronicles the process state legislatures took to open Nevada Southern University in 1957 and her role as an administrative assistant in the main office of the school. Lowe recounts her career at Nevada Southern University, the expansion of the campus, and renaming it University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lastly, Lowe talks about her switch from an administrative assistant to a librarian at UNLV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marienne Shaver conducted by her granddaughter, Alice Penwell, on March 21, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shaver describes visiting and moving to Reno, Nevada from Michigan and later staying in Nevada to teach. Shaver talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and being involved in the local girl scouts organization, church, and women's club. Lastly, Shaver discusses the growth of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marines Linera conducted by Maribel Estrada Calderón and Nathalie Martinez on February 2, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Marines Linera discusses her childhood and education in Puerto Rico, where she was born. She recalls experiences about her parents and the sacrifices they made to better their family. Linera relates what brought her to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1998, which was her journalism career. During her career in Las Vegas she has worked for Telemundo 39 and Univision as news reporter, anchor, and producer. She shares her experiences reporting on various bilingual events that have affected Las Vegas and the United States.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth W. Fong conducted by Lois Goodall on February 22, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 1. Fong discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and being the son of two successful and philanthropic community members, Wing and Lilly Fong. Fong also discusses his father starting a grocery store and later in 1955, Fong’s Garden. He then discusses real estate development, Nevada State Bank development, as well as contributing to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Chinatown evolution.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sam S. Earl conducted by Laura Button on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses the family’s early residence in a tent and their religious participation. He also discusses welfare benefits, gambling, the first members of the police force, and the Helldorado parade. Earl then talks about his work on the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, as a building contractor, and as a truck driver.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Debra March conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on February 21, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. March discusses attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in the 1970s and becoming the deputy administrator for the Nevada Real Estate Division in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses being hired by UNLV and directing the Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies in 1996.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Orville Farmer conducted by Louis (unknown last name) on September 24, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Farmer discusses the ruins in Overton, Nevada and working at the Nevada Test Site as a welder.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth Miller conducted by Patrick Carlton on January 28, 2004 for the Las Vegas Rotary Club Oral History Project. Miller opens his interview by discussing his education and military service during World War II. He describes his career as an accountant, recalling banks where he worked, supervisors, and prominent people in the Nevada finance industry. Miller then talks about joining the Las Vegas Rotary Club in 1983 and how he was involved with the organization. He also describes the club's philanthropy, activities, and membership. Lastly, Anderson discusses the growth of Las Vegas and changes in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bob Michael conducted by Jeff Van Ee on April 17, 2010 for UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.
In this interview, Bob Michael talks about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, memories from his childhood, and details of the changing Nevada landscape. Michael shares his expertise in environmentalism and the history of land protection in the state. He discusses areas of the state he feels should be left untouched by humans, his thoughts on protecting lands as National Recreation Areas (NRAs) including the Spring Mountains, and wilderness acts that have been passed and changed throughout the 1900s.
Archival Collection