Oral history interviews with Leon Carter Sr., Ruth Jimerson-Carter, Leon Carter Jr., and Herman Jimerson Jr. conducted by Claytee D. White on January 18 through March 18, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Leon Carter Sr. talks of his childhood, time spent playing baseball after graduating high school, and the various professions he's held including working at the Nevada Test Site, working in construction, and entering the casino industry as a dealer. The Carter Family discuss life on the Westside and their respective histories.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patsy Leavitt conducted by Patricia Van Betten on April 07, 2005 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Leavitt talks first about her maternal grandmother, who brought her mother and uncle to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931 and opened a boardinghouse that she ran until her death in 1948. She then discusses her father's family, who arrived in Las Vegas in the late 1920s and established a sand and gravel business. She describes her education and her working life in Las Vegas. She then talks about the many changes that Las Vegas went through in the 1950s, from road improvements to new businesses and the growth of the casino industry, to the impact of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site. Finally, she talks about her marriage, her children, and the decision to move to Blue Diamond Village in the early 1990s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth M. Daybell conducted by Patricia van Betten on April 05, 2010 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Daybell discusses his early life in Utah, his move to Nevada, and his work as a gypsum lath plant operator and truck driver at the Blue Diamond Mine. He talks about what life was like in a company town, from living in a company-owned mobile home to shopping at the company store, and the growth of the town during his residence. He also discusses driving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family for occasional shopping trips and meals at the Showboat Hotel and Casino buffet.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Rob Schlegel conducted by Dennis McBride on various dates in March and April of 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In the interviews, Schlegel recalls his early life in Port Angeles, Washington, his conservative Baptist upbringing, and his early experiences with literature. Schlegel then discusses working with newspaper publications in high school and college, understanding his sexuality during college, his first gay sexual experience, and his first trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls working with Robert Lloyd "Bob" Brown at the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roger Bryan conducted by Paul Murphy on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bryan, who was the principal of Harvey Dondero Elementary School at the time of the interview, mainly discusses his background in education and his experiences teaching at various schools around Southern Nevada. Bryan mentions several of the cities he lived in prior to coming to Las Vegas, Nevada as well as the various parts of town he lived in after arriving. He also talks specifically about the schools he attended in Las Vegas, superintendents in charge of the district, his decisions while on the school board, the extent of vandalism in schools, and how the school district has changed over the years. Bryan finalizes the interview with a discussion of the most influential teachers he had when he was a student.
Archival Collection
Joel Bergman oral history interview conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on August 03, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bergman discusses his architectural career, which began with his graduation in architecture from the University of Southern California (USC). He also discusses his work with Martin Stern, his sixteen years with Steve Wynn, and the formation of his own architectural firm, Bergman Walls and Associates.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with J. David Hoggard conducted by Claytee White and unnamed interviewer on various dates in 1997, 1998, and 1999 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN). Hoggard discusses serving in World War II, being transferred to Nellis Air Force Base in 1945, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from New Jersey in 1946. He also recalls becoming one of the first African American police officers in Las Vegas, and working in the Clark County School District for 15 years. Hoggard then discusses his involvement with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), including serving as chapter president for four years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jan Jones Blackhurst conducted by Claytee D. White on December 09, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Blackhurst discusses her early life in Santa Monica, California. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1982, her initial interests in politics, and being elected Mayor of Las Vegas. Blackhurst talks about her accomplishments as mayor, the development of Fremont Street Experience, and establishing services for homeless people in Las Vegas. Lastly, Blackhurst discusses managing government relations for Harrah’s (now Caesars Entertainment).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jessica Guiao conducted by Grecia Lopez on November 22, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Guiao recalls her childhood in Hayward, California, and being raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls not liking the climate of Nevada at first, and describes the friends she has made throughout her time in the city and the identity she has developed. Guiao discusses some of the pressures and stereotypes surrounding Asian Americans, such as what career path they should pursue or the aversion to embracing subcultures, and how she has consolidated her rebellion into her own identity. Throughout the interview, Guiao touches on other topics such as Filipino food, the long-standing history between Mexican and Filipino communities, Catholicism, goth culture, and anti-Asian hate and racism that she and her family has faced.
Archival Collection