Oral history interview with Judy and Anthony Purcell conducted by their daughter, Trina Purcell, on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Judy and Anthony Purcell describe how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed and grown since moving there in 1959. Main topics of discussion include shows and entertainment, safety in Las Vegas, and the couple's life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Peter Fabbi conducted by unnamed interviewer in approximately 1974 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Fabbi shares that he was born and raised in Carrara, Italy and immigrated to the United States in 1896. After working as a stone cutter in New York and Connecticut, he moved to Tonopah, Nevada. He eventually became the manager of the Merchant's Hotel in Tonopah before opening a bakery in that city. Fabbi speaks at length on a variety of subjects, including stories about his businesses, the Great Depression, politics, fraternal organizations, and his family and friends.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lauren M. Brown conducted by Claytee D. White on February 21, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Lauren M. Brown discusses her history with Las Vegas, Nevada, starting from when she moved to the city in 1997. She describes her experience as one of the many who stood in line to donate blood on October 2, 2017, the day after the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. Brown talks about what stood out on that day, including the overwhelming amount of people waiting to donate blood and the people who brought drinks and pastries for those waiting. She speaks about how that day showed her the heart of Las Vegas and changed her perspective of the city. Brown also discusses her correspondence with the Healing Garden to give ideas for the design of a permanent memorial for the tragedy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Florence Murphy conducted by K. J. Evans on September 04, 1998 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In the interview, Murphy discusses working as a pilot and manager at Sky Haven Airfield (North Las Vegas Airport) in the early 1940s and Alamo Airfield (McCarran International Airport) between the late 1940s and the 1950s in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her first time piloting an airplane in approximately 1936 when a barnstormer, a stunt pilot in flying circuses, offered public flights for civilians. Murphy also discusses her first time in an airplane as a child with her father, the grand opening of Sky Haven, and her experiences working for Bonanza Airlines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mimi Rodden conducted by Claytee White on April 9, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Rodden begins by discussing her family's Basque heritage from their immigration to California and then into northern Nevada. She then discusses her immediate family, especially her mother, and the beginning of ther own volunteer work, which led to a lifelong interest in historic preservation that began with fundraising for the Nevada State Museum. After moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, Rodden continued working on historic preservation activities around the Keil Ranch and other historic sites in Clark County. Her work led to a Presidential selection for the National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. She then discusses her move to Boulder City, Nevada and her work on the preservation of Tonopah Mining District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tom Godbey conducted by James Greene on September 28, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Godbey discusses how he and his wife were the first couple to build a home in Boulder City, Nevada. He also talks about working for the City Marshall and Water Commission of Silverton, Nevada, and the Mining Nevada Assembly.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frances Faye on December 30, 1974 with an unknown interviewer for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.
In this interview, Frances Faye shares memories of performing as a cabaret singer in the 1930s. She talks about her entertaining career at several clubs in New York and various other locations including the Yacht Club, the Hickory House, Club Calet, and other venues. Faye recalls songs she wrote and performances across the United States including those in Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Las Vegas, Nevada; and various locations within California. Faye reminisces with the interviewer about people they know in show business and briefly recounts a hip injury she sustained at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, causing her to stop performing for over nine years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Bilbray conducted by Jeff van Ee on March 26, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bilbray first outlines his life from high school, to enlistment in the Army Reserve, attending American University, and working for Nevada Senator Howard Cannon. He then speaks of the different political philosophies in Northern Nevada versus Southern Nevada, the thinking in the mining industry, Sagebrush Rebellion, federal ownership of 86% of Nevada, the doughnut hole around the valley, Bureau of Land Management, hearings on environmental matters, taxation, and grazing laws.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elaine Cali McNamara conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on October 05, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. McNamara talks of being a teenager in Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses her high school years and how she studied modeling in the evenings. Lastly, she talks of being a realtor in the early 1980s and serving as Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors vice president.
Archival Collection