Oral history interview with Katherine McKee conducted by Claytee D. White on September 3, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In her interview McKee discusses her career dancing at the Mint, The Silver Slipper's Minsky's Burlesque, and the Dune's Viva Les Girls. She also discusses her performances on the road with Les Girls Montreal road show as well and her experience as Sammy Davis' "road wife."
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alberta Shearin conducted by Deanne Lahr on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shearin discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada after her husband was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in 1943. Shearin describes Las Vegas during World War II and how it has changed, chemical plants in Henderson, Nevada and their effects on the environment, and what her and her family did for recreation. Shearin also discusses the local school system and racial integration in schools and neighborhoods, as well as natural disasters that have occurred in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bud Bodell conducted by an unidentified collector in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bodell discusses Six Companies, the building of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and the development of the local sheriff’s department and the police department. Bodell also discusses the impact of gambling on the local economy, and the development plans and construction of the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip hotels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bob Colucci conducted by David Schwartz on April 29, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Colucci discusses his early life in Brooklyn, New York and first job in the newspaper delivery business, his military career, and his return to work for the New York Herald Tribune newspaper. He continues talking about the newspaper business, his advancement, and his work with the union. He then begins talking about his interest in boxing and how this interest led to his involvement in the sport as a trainer and manager.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marlin Robison conducted by Claytee D. White on July 02, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Robison discusses his upbringing in Cedar City, Utah and in Overton, Nevada. He remembers growing up in poverty, the abusive relationship with his stepfather, and the various jobs he held throughout his youth. Robison talks about moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1950 and working as a counselor with the Juvenile Justice System. Lastly, Marlin discusses the growth of Henderson and the redevelopment of the Water Street District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Richard Bryan conducted by Kristin Guthre on November 10, 2011 and an unknown date for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bryan begins by discussing his father’s time as a law student in Washington, D.C. and the influence his father had on his decision to pursue law. Bryan then chronicles moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s and growing up in the Huntridge Community near Charleston Boulevard. Bryan recounts attending both the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California. Bryan describes his experiences in the Las Vegas District Attorney’s office and the Army Reserve. He then recalls his political career as a member of the Nevada Senate, his role as the Attorney General of Nevada, the Governor of Nevada, and as a United States Senator. Lastly, Bryan discusses political issues in Nevada and the United States during his time in office such as debates about renewable energy, environmentalism, and preservation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Suzanne Yamazaki in November 2000 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.
In this interview, Nanyu Tomiyasu discusses his life in Las Vegas, Nevada as a landscape contractor, his Japanese heritage, and the lives of his parents Yonema and Toyono. Tomiyasu talks about his father's farming expertise, techniques, experimentation, and his reputation within the Las Vegas community. Yonema Tomiyasu's crop timetables have been shared with other farmers in both Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada to improve yields and combat the harsh weather conditions and alkaline water of the area. Tomiyasu recalls working on his father's farm and how his childhood was shaped by this work.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lawrence Weekly conducted by Elsha Harris Yolanda on November 19, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Weekly discusses his personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about the importance of religion in his upbringing and his parent’s employment in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas. Weekly describes the racial discrimination he experienced in education, attending the College of Southern Nevada and later transferring to Grambling State University in Louisiana. Later, Weekly discusses his rationale for attending a historically Black college, his career as a Clark County Commissioner, and the reopening of F Street. Lastly, Weekly talks about the lack of progress in race relations across the United States.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mae Farei conducted by Martha Cunningham on February 24, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Farei first talks about the development of the Downtown Las Vegas and Las Vegas Strip areas. She then discusses working at the Twin Lakes Lodge and Stardust as a housekeeper, and she later mentions some of the recreational activities available to those in Nevada. She also mentions the importance of Nellis Air Force Base and expresses her appreciation for living in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lilly Fong conducted by Lisa Fremont on May 06, 1995 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Fong discusses her family background and their immigration story to the United States in the early 1910s. She talks about her husband’s interest in the restaurant business and the opening of their restaurant, Fong’s Garden, in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955. Fong remembers being elected as Regent for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), the increase of students attending the College of Southern Nevada, and advocating to keep UNLV’s Tonopah Hall as a dormitory building for students. Fong talks about completing a master’s degree from UNLV in 1982, state university funding, and her involvement with the Chinese community in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection