Oral history interview with Phillip L. Cook conducted by Richard Strahan on March 3, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cook first talks about his parents' move to Nevada and discusses how the school system has changed over time. He then describes the first businesses that opened up in the Downtown and Strip areas of Las Vegas, Nevada before discussing prostitution, Block 16, and recreational activities available to youth. Cook also talks about the first television sets and telephone systems made available, and he moves on to talk about the prices of things such as movies and haircuts when he was younger. The interview then moves to discussions on the Old Ranch, racial discrimination, school integration, the crime rate, and the school system in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward A. Collins conducted by Steven L. Smith on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Ed Collins discusses gender equality in the culinary industry of Las Vegas, Nevada and the changes he saw in the industry over the years. He also speaks about Bugsy Siegel's influence on the emergence of big shows on the Las Vegas Strip. He then discusses Las Vegas before and after the appearance of Howard Hughes and Bob Maheu.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Segerblom conducted by Sheila K. Lefforge on March 24, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Segerblom discusses her personal history living in Boulder City, Nevada after moving there in 1940. Segerblom discusses teaching in Boulder City, the school system, what life was like in Boulder City, and the story behind alcohol legalization in Boulder City, after it was prohibited. Segerblom also discusses Boulder City's growth, how some locals would prefer the town to remain small, the political system in Boulder City, and the relationship between Boulder City and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dorothy O’Donnell George conducted by Claytee D. White on October 13, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. George discusses serving as a nurse during World War II in Hawaii, Okinawa, and Japan. She also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and working as a nurse. George then discusses Las Vegas, the Helldorado Parades, atomic bomb testing, and her family picnics at Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Brenda J. Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on May 24, 2013 and June 10, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Williams discusses her personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada since she moved there as a child with her family during the 1940s. She describes the diversity of the Westside community she lived in, her family, and the recreational activities she participated in as a young woman. Williams talks about several careers that she has had over the course of her life, such as a telephone operator, hat shop owner, and board member for the Las Vegas Housing Authority before later transitioning to the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mei Yang conducted by Jourdin Wilson on November 10, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) professor and graduate coordinator Mei Yang talks about her family and childhood in Shanxi Province, southwestern China. She shares her educational background pursuing her bachelor's and master's degrees in China before immigrating to the United States to earn her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Texas, Dallas. Mei Yang talks about her move to Las Vegas, Nevada, her work and professorship at UNLV, and her thoughts on pursuing a STEM (science technology engineering math) career as a woman. She shares how she raises her daughters in the United States away from her husband overseas, the Chinese community within Las Vegas, and traditions she celebrates.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maurine Swarts conducted by Teresa McGhie on May 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Swarts discusses her personal history and Southern Nevada history. Swarts discusses the crash of Carole Lombard's plane, above ground nuclear tests, and her recreational interests. Swarts also describes how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Miriam Belmont conducted by Laurie Brower on March 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview Belmont discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada, various occupations, education, addresses, church involvement, Hoover Dam, famous people, atomic testing, Old Ranch Country Club in Southern California, and the ways in which Las Vegas had changed since she first arrived.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joy Snyder conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on December 17, 2008 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. Snyder comments on many aspects of her career, including the informal approach to health care, the effects of desert climate on mothers and newborns, and the changes she has seen at Sunrise Hospital. She also comments on adoption practices in Las Vegas, Nevada; drug-addicted babies, and cultural attitudes that appear during the birthing process.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arsya Respati conducted by Madison Chang on December 4, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) student Arsya Respati shares his childhood and upbringing in Jakarta, Indonesia and educational background. He discusses his studies at the international BINUS SCHOOL Simprug in Jakarta and his immigration to the United States with his younger brother to pursue the culinary arts at the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV. Arsya Respati talks about his relationship with his parents and their daily communication, his "aunty" who has helped him adjust to American culture and homesickness, his Muslim faith and traditions, and his employment. He also shares his views on Indonesian politics and cultural diversity, and the diversity of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection