Oral history interview with Tex Whitson conducted by David G. Schwartz on September 04, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Whitson discusses how he began playing poker, the growth of poker's popularity, and eventually the development of the World Series of Poker tournament. Whitson then recalls anecdotes of his interactions with Benny Binion, and the significance of the World Series of Poker to Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barbara Sheehan conducted by Elaine Mongola on an unknown date for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sheehan describes her experience in the Unites States Navy through the 1950s to 1970s. Sheehan also discusses her experience as a woman in the military, specifically the stigmas that women sailors encounter. Later, Sheehan recalls memorable moments she experienced during her service.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robbins E. Cahill conducted by Mary Ellen Glass on February 17, 1977 for the University of Nevada, Reno. Cahill discusses many of the leading owners of gaming establishments in Las Vegas, Nevada, the development of the gaming industry in Las Vegas, and the inside story of the Thunderbird case. Cahill talks about the Great Depression of the 1930’s, his work in state politics, Clark County administration, and the Nevada Resort Association.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Morgan Mills conducted by Matthew Carr on March 26, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mills discusses being involved in major projects in the Las Vegas, Nevada area while he was living in California. Mills also discusses Boulder City, Nevada and Reno, Nevada. He later discusses his career as an electrical engineer, as well as working on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tom Hawley conducted by Claytee D. White and Su Kim Chung on September 21, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Tom Hawley was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, but found home in Las Vegas, Nevada where his father worked as a professional musician. A local historian and TV reporter from a helicopter, Hawley reported the traffic and contributed local stories of great interest. After radio and TV jobs in the mid-1980s, Tom began reporting in 1988 and joined the News 3 team in 1995. Outside of the workplace, he enjoyed classical music and hiking. He played with the Henderson Symphony where his instrument was the string bass. Hiking has taken him to the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and to the apex of Mount Charleston. Three weeks after the conclusion of this interview, Tom Hawley passed away after his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 60 years old.
Subjects discussed include: Star Policy; Production Shows; KUNV; Bob Stoldal; Henderson Symphony.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Judy Jetter conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 10, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Jetter discusses being mentored by Woody Herman and others about the art of jazz. She also talks about some jazz musicians in Las Vegas, Nevada, including Gus Mancuso, the Bootlegger, Terri James, and Jobell.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stefani Evans conducted by Claytee D. White and Barbara Tabach on November 21, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Stefani Evans discusses how she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980 with her husband and her feelings associated with the city, especially after the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. She describes in detail how she found out about the traumatic event as well as her experience of waiting all day to donate blood on October 2, 2017, the day after the shooting. Mostly, Evans explains with emphasis the good of humanity that she witnessed during the aftermath of that tragedy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jay Duarte conducted by David Schwartz on January 27, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Duarte gives a description of the various positions and roles he has held in Station Casinos and other properties on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip. Duarte then explains how the slot department works with other casino departments, and later describes the qualities that make both good and bad slot managers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Faye Todd conducted by Claytee D. White on October 15, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Todd discusses her life in Las Vegas, Nevada starting in 1964 when she moved there with her husband. Todd details the variety of discrimination and racism she experienced while living in Las Vegas from service refusals to discriminatory hiring practices in hotels. Todd also discusses her career path, from taking adult education classes at Rancho High School to gain clerk skills, to eventually becoming Entertainment Director and Corporate Executive Assistant at the Landmark Hotel and Casino in 1976. Todd also discusses the challenges her husband faced as an African American chef. Finally, Todd also discusses class relations within the black communities of both Las Vegas and San Antonio, Texas, where she was born.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Russell Terbeek conducted by David Schwartz on May 29, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Terbeek discusses his career as a table games dealer and manager at casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada such as Circus Circus, Rio, Treasure Island, Sahara, and the Golden Nugget.
Archival Collection