Oral history interview with Gertrude Toston conducted by Claytee D. White on July 21, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Toston discusses attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in the 1960s. She also discusses working as a customer service representative for Western Airlines for 27 years before going back to UNLV to work on her master's degree in special education. She then talks about working as a graduate teaching assistant and student teacher advisor at UNLV and as a teacher at Brinley Junior High.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dona Irene Martin conducted by Stephanie Jean Stinson on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Martin discusses her life living in Las Vegas, Nevada between 1949 and 1981. She also discusses her work as a cook, waitress, bartender at Lorenzi Park (currently Twin Lakes Lodge), and postal clerk. Other topics Martin discusses include the growth of Las Vegas during the 1950s, postal services changes over time, and outlying areas in the Las Vegas Valley including Tule Springs Park.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Katherine L. Rankin conducted by Claytee D. White on June 16, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, Rankin discusses her childhood, her move to Las Vegas, Nevada, and her career as a librarian. Rankin talks about how she began her library career on the Gila River Reservation in Arizona before accepting a position as an audio and visual materials cataloger at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in the 1970s. Rankin later describes her work with the American Library Association, getting tenure at UNLV, and her role as a map cataloger in UNLV Special Collections and Archives.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cindy Funkhouser conducted by Claytee White on January 14, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Funkhouser discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980 and working as a cocktail waitress and a bartender at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino. She then discusses owning an antique shop and being one of the forces behind First Friday and the Las Vegas art movement that is rooted in the John S. Park Neighborhood's sense of community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marian Oakes conducted by Bernard Kulifay Jr. on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Oakes describes her childhood after moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931, and her experience in the school system. Oakes discusses how Las Vegas has grown and the types of opportunities, jobs, and recreation that have been available to women. Oakes also discusses her career as a hairdresser and owning her own salon. Oakes goes on to describe the presence of individuals involved in organized crime around the city, as well as the presence of Howard Hughes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eva D. Peterson conducted by James Greene on November 30, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Peterson discusses her life in Nelson, Nevada. Peterson talks about her family life and describes her career as an educator. Finally, Nelson mentions moving to other cities in Nevada such as Searchlight, Las Vegas, and Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlie McLean conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on December 14, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. McLean discusses making a living playing for the Ice Capades—traveling entertainment shows featuring theatrical ice skating performances—and in jazz bands after graduating from college. He also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960 and playing at hotels such as the Frontier, Desert Inn, Riviera, Sahara, and the Tropicana.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl G. Heron conducted by Claytee D. White on November 22, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Heron recalls his childhood in Queens, New York, where he learned automobile mechanics from his father. He used that knowledge to become a mechanic on fighter planes for the United States Air Force. Heron was stationed for some time at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also was stationed in San Antonio, San Bernadino, Wichita Falls, and Fort Bragg. He became a flight engineer and took part in Red Flagg War Games Training while stationed at Nellis AFB. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida M. Gaines conducted by Claytee D. White on September 30, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Gaines discusses her early life in Louisiana. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, living in the Westside, and her employment at the Nevada Test Site. Gaines remembers integration, her involvement with the Las Vegas Chapter of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and becoming a member of Gamma Phi Delta. Gaines talks about working with Senator Harry Reid as a community liaison, the economic downfall of Jackson Street businesses, and redevelopment of the Westside. Lastly, Gaines discusses the issue of homelessness in the community, and the work that the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB) did to reduce poverty in the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Warfel conducted by Dennis McBride on March 11, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Warfel discusses his personal history and his experiences as a gay priest within the Episcopal Church. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and interviewing for a ministry job at Christ Church. Warfel describes same-sex blessings and marriages in the Episcopal Church and the pressures of vestry approval that he dealt with during his career.
Archival Collection