Oral history interview with Jack W. Cornell conducted by Richard Fesler on February 18, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Jack Cornell discusses historical buildings in Nevada, his experiences as an airplane mechanic for the Army Air Corps during World War II, the effects of the Great Depression, when he assisted an air escort for President Franklin Roosevelt, when he witnessed one of the atomic tests, and how the rural area in Manhattan, Nevada has changed over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Antioco Carrillo conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez and Monserrath Hernández on June 27, 2019 and July 11, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Carrillo discusses his early life in Jalisco, Mexico. He talks about attending an all-boys school, the braceros program, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987. Carrillo describes the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Las Vegas, being executive director of Aid for AIDS Nevada (AFAN), and the disproportionate infection rate of Hispanics and African Americans. Carrillo talks about advocating for same sex marriage, his involvement with lawsuits that involve defining marriage in Nevada, and being the first same-sex marriage in Nevada. Lastly, Carrillo discusses the struggles to achieve equality, and living in a heterosexual society.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jahaira Farias conducted by Monserrath Hernández on April 12, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Farias discusses her family’s background in Mexico and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls attending Western High School, joining their ROTC program, and commanding the armed drill team. Farias talks about her decision to enlist to the United States Marine Corps and describes the type of work she did while serving. She describes her deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, post-traumatic stress disorder within in the Marine Corps, and her experiences as a woman in the military. Later, Farias discusses being president of the Women Marines Association (WMA) and the organization's involvement in Las Vegas high schools. Lastly, Farias talks about the term Latinx and her evolving feelings around identity.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Lee Plotkin conducted by Dennis McBride on August 02, 10, and 16; and October 04, 2006 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Plotkin talks about his reaction to Lieutenant Governor of Nevada Myron E. Leavitt's claim that attending the Nevada Gay Rodeo violated Nevada's sodomy laws in the early 1980s. Plotkin recalls his childhood, coming out during high school, his early involvement with the Las Vegas, Nevada gay community, and his memories of Lieutenant Governor Leavitt and Leavitt's family. Plotkin also discusses the development and activities of LGBTQ organizations and demonstrations, including Golden Rainbow and Gay Pride. Lastly, he talks about the repeal of Nevada's sodomy laws in 1993, the defeat of Nevada Citizens' Alliance's anti-gay initiative petition Minority Status and Child Protection Act of 1994, and the growth of the Las Vegas LGBTQ community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arthur Williams Jr. conducted by Claytee D. White on April 19, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Williams discusses his employment with Reynolds Electric and Engineering Company and his career in law. He talks about his experience as an African American in law school, aiding African American and Hispanic students getting into law school, and the establishment of the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association (LVNBA).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Peter Guzman conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 12, 2020 for The Great Pause: Las Vegas Chronicles of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Peter Guzman is President of the Latin Chamber of Commerce in Las Vegas. He recounts his personal and family history as well as the impacts of COVID-19 on the Latinx business community. Subjects discussed include: mask distribution; financial guidance for small Latinx businesses; silver linings during the pandemic
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rose and Mark Oatis conducted by Claytee D. White, Anna Frederick, and Remy Chwae on June 10, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Rose and Mark discuss their upbringings and early interest in art. Mark talks about the significance of sign and signboards, sign design, and the founding of the Letterheads. He talks about sign painting in Las Vegas, Nevada, education on sign painting, and modern graphic design. Lastly, Rose and Mark discuss the regional styles of sign painting in various cities of the country.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Evan Blythin conducted by Patricia van Betten on September 26, 2006 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Blythin opens his interview by discussing his early life on an Arizona ranch and his decision as a young adult to pursue higher education, which led to his PhD in philosophy and communications. He then talks about his move to Nevada in the late 1960s to teach communications at Nevada Southern University, now the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and his work to develop the communications department at the university. Later in the interview, he discusses his family's move to Blue Diamond Village from Las Vegas, Nevada, and the community's transition after the Blue Diamond Mine ceded control of the village to the inhabitants. He also talks about his work with the Blue Diamond Recreation Association and his artwork.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerald Arthur Nelson conducted by Phillip Dean Nelson on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nelson discusses the history of law enforcement in Southern Nevada. He specifically talks about the history of organized crime and its influence in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Karen Grant conducted by Leslie Brinks on November 29, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Grant reflects upon her experience as a teacher and school administrator in the Pacific Northwest. She discusses challenges with changing curricula and school safety, and provides her opinion on changing student values and contemporary trends within public schools.
Archival Collection