Oral history interviews with Diana Bennett conducted by Claytee D. White on February 4, 2022 and April 16, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In these interviews, Bennett discusses growing up as the daughter of William "Bill" Bennett, the visionary behind Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, and the Sahara hotels. She recalls no one hiring her after dropping out of Arizona State University to pursue her passion of entering the gaming industry. Finally, Dick Thomas hired Bennett to work at the Flamingo. Today, Diana Bennett is the CEO and co-founder of Paragon Gaming, a developer and operator of gaming-based properties, second generation casino operator, and one of the most effective and respected executives in the gaming industry. Bennett discusses her role in developing, constructing, and managing the River Cree Reserve outside of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the first ever First Nations gaming property in Alberta.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thelma Aiken (formerly Thelma C. Liggitt b. 1899) conducted by Patrica Gaydosh on April 05, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Born in Osceola, Iowa, Aiken discusses moving to Henderson in 1942. Aiken also offers in-depth descriptions of housing, schools, early above ground atomic tests, gambling, and the closing down of the Basic Magnesium (BMI) Plant in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ashok Mirchandani conducted by Kristel Peralta, Cecilia Winchell, and Stefani Evans on March 11, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Mirchandani discusses his early life in Kolkata, West Bengal, India and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002. He talks about Indian traditions he celebrates and Indian festivals in the United States. Mirchandani recalls his employment with the State of Nevada, becoming the Director of the Department of Business and Industry, and advocating for small businesses. Later, Mirchandani describes the importance of minorities in politics, engaging in policy making, and the need for Asian Americans in public services. Lastly, Mirchandani discusses the model minority myth, developing the Nevada Home Retention Program, and emphasizes children’s mental health.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nellie Bunch conducted by Robin Ducharme on November 20, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bunch first talks about her settlement into the Whitney Ranch area of Henderson, Nevada, and her knowledge about the building of Hoover (Boulder) Dam. She also talks about the early utilization of water resources from Lake Mead, early sources of power, and the early use of evaporative coolers. Bunch also speaks about her experience as a postmaster and later discusses telephone technology and the early churches of Las Vegas, Nevada. Digital audio and transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Doris Shoong Lee conducted by Sue Fawn Chung on January 03, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Shoong Lee discusses her father, Joe Shoong, who started the company National Dollar Store. She also discusses her involvement with many philanthropic projects, including some at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with her husband Theodore Lee.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cathie Millson conducted by Anna Huddleston on June 10, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: An Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview Cathie Millson discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1984 with her husband and one-year-old daughter. She then discusses having two more children, moving into the Rancho Bel Air neighborhood, and about raising her children in Rancho Bel Air. She details the growth of Las Vegas from a small town to a large city and how revitalization of downtown has brought young people back to Rancho Bel Air to raise their families.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Justin Beltram conducted by David G. Schwartz on July 07, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Beltram describes how he transitioned from a property role to a corporate role and some of his mentors throughout his career. Beltram also discusses his different approaches to local and transient customers, the major changes in general to slot machines since he started in the industry, and his thoughts on the future of slot operations.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gertrude Rudiak conducted by Claytee D. White on January 11, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Rudiak discusses her personal history and being a member of the Jewish community of Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her husband being stationed in Las Vegas while serving in the United States military, their move to Las Vegas in the 1940s, and his law career after military service. Rudiak discusses race relations in Las Vegas during that time and her husband's efforts to pass a law to end segregation in Nevada as a state assemblyman. Rudiak's son, Richard Rudiak, also speaks, and talks about political history in Nevada during the late 20th century. They conclude by discussing the opening of a Jewish school in Las Vegas, the history of Jewish people in the city, and how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Olive Lake-Eglington conducted by Anna Dean Kepper on October 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lake-Eglington discusses life on Stewarts Old Ranch (or Stewart Ranch) and early Las Vegas, Nevada history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Michael Mack conducted by Claytee D. White on May 21, 2009 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Mack discusses his childhood memories living in and near the John S. Park Neighborhood, including his father opening a shoe store in Boulder City, Nevada and later expanding into the salvage business. Mack later discusses his parents moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, opening his clothing store, and setting up the first bail bondsman office in the city.
Archival Collection