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Charles Weaver oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Charles Weaver conducted by Rod S. Nolan on October 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Weaver discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s in search of job opportunities. Weaver then discusses the increase of gambling on the Las Vegas Strip. Weaver goes on to describe the development of Henderson, Nevada and recalls the significance of the Basic Magnesium Plant to the growth of Henderson.
Archival Collection
Line Renaud oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Line Renaud conducted by Claytee D. White on January 08, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Renaud discusses her career as a singer and her experiences being in entertainment and show business. Renaud begins by describing her upbringing in northern France and what life was like in the country during World War II. She discusses becoming a prominent singer following the war, and performing at the Casino de Paris in Paris, France before being asked to lead a show at the Dunes Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s. Renaud talks about her associations with other celebrities, such as recording with Dean Martin and Nat King Cole, and meeting Bob Hope and performing on his show. Renaud also explains how she helped the Paris Las Vegas obtain the rights from the city of Paris, France to recreate the Eiffel Tower and how she organized the opening of the casino.
Archival Collection
Karen Carmichael oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Karen Carmichael conducted by Stefani Evans on December 9, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
In this oral history Carmichael discusses the world of professional dancing in the 1970s through the 1990s. She discusses her start in the industry and a variety of Las Vegas shows she participated in including: the Union Plaza Can Can, the American Dream Festival, Dasin’ Dirdy, and Babes Ahoy. She also goes into great detail behind her vision for Skyline, her adagio act, and the many celebrities she encountered throughout her career.
Carmichael also discusses her second career in jewelry design, and her experiences working with art galleries on the Las Vegas strip. She details the experiences of starting off at traveling art festivals, working her way up to award winning designs, and the art of jewelry photography. She also discusses the process of researching and publishing history for her book. She ends the interview with a discussion of what it means to be an artist and role of creativity in her life and those around her. She also discusses the ways in which others such as Betty Francisco, Hedy Jo Star, Debbie Reynolds and Sammy Davis Jr. had shaped her life.
Archival Collection
William Byrne oral history interview
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Oral history interview with William Byrne conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 18, 1972 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. Byrne discusses some of his experiences and responsibilities as the mayor for Henderson, Nevada, the introduction of bars in Henderson, prostitution, and gaming in southern Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Marlin Robison oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Marlin Robison conducted by Joni Larsen on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Robison discusses his parents moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1900s. Robison later discusses his career at Clark County Juvenile Court Services. Lastly, Robison discusses changes throughout the city.
Archival Collection
Cleophis Williams oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Cleophis Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on April 27, 2010 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Cleophis Williams discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, marrying her husband Tom Williams, having nine children, and family life in the historic Las Vegas neighborhood the Westside.
Archival Collection
Gloria Deaton oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Gloria Deaton conducted by B.W. Deaton on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Deaton discusses Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, Nevada, the gaming and tourism industry, women in the gaming industry, and her job as a "Lady Pit Boss" at casinos like Gold Strike Inn (now Terrible’s Hotel and Casino).
Archival Collection
Martha Drohobyczar oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Martha Drohobyczar conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on March 24, 2009 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. Drohobyczar discusses her careers as a nurse midwife and a nursing professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Larry Canarelli oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Larry Canarelli conducted by Claytee D. White on May 01, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Canarelli discusses growing up in an Oregon logging town living in a tent, and how that fueled his passion of providing homes for underdeveloped areas. He relates stories of Las Vegas, Nevada's early home development and how the real estate industry has changed throughout the decades.
Archival Collection
Ray Christian oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Ray Christian conducted by Russell Ellis on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christian discusses race relations within schools, baseball teams, theatres, and Boy Scouts in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about his custodial at the El Portal Theatre, the Las Vegas Westside neighborhood, and living through the Great Depression. Christian ends the interview discussing how white and black veterans helped improved race relations in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection