Oral history interview with LaVerne Ligon, B. J. Thomas, and Leonard Polk conducted by Claytee D. White on July 09, 2012 and July 18, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Ligon, Thomas, and Polk discuss their personal early dancing careers, their varied experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada during segregation, and working for
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Buddy Frank conducted by David Schwartz on January 03, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Frank discusses his career in slot operations, including the positions he held in both Nevada and California casino properties. Frank also discusses the utilization of free play as a marketing strategy and the use of Ethernet technology in slot machines. He then talks about how much slots have changed since his start in the business, millennials, skill-based gaming, and the future of slot machines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Abbi Silver conducted by Barbara Tabach on January 10, 2017 and February 07, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Silver recalls being a law clerk for Honorable Earle White, Jr., joining the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, and being assigned as the Chief Deputy District Attorney for the Special Victims Unit where she tried more than one hundred jury trials. She mentions other attorneys who she encountered, from Stewart Bell to Oscar Goodman to her mentor, Judge Nancy Oesterle.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jacob D. "Jay" Bingham conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on January 11, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bingham discusses growing up in the Mormon community in Nevada, serving on the North Las Vegas City Council, and his various developments of basketball and work-release programs for youth offenders.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard A. Leigon conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 12, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Leigon discusses John S. Park Elementary School, John C. Fremont Junior High School, and Boy Scout Troop 69 at Griffith Methodist Church. Leigon also discusses his father’s, Ralph A. Leigon, contributions to Las Vegas, Nevada, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and his own lengthy career with IBEW that bridged labor management.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Ralph “Jim” Olson conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on February 02, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Olson discusses his firm, Cromer, Barker, and Michaelson; representing Las Vegas, Nevada properties such as the MGM Grand Hotel and the Las Vegas Hilton. He also talks about litigation between Hank Greenspun, Howard Hughes, and Hughes Tool Company.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with professional dancer Diana Saunders conducted by Barabra Tabach on April 17, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Oral History Project. Diana shares stories of long career as a dancer, from substituting in the black dancer line to continued study of dancing with Anglo Moio. She also talks about the AIDS fundraising event, Golden Rainbow, having dinner at Rabbi Shea Harlig’s home, observations of local theater, being a part of the former Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, Hallelujah Hollywood, and a dancer for Siegfried and Roy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Margaret Casey conducted by Claytee D. White on January 13, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Margaret Casey discusses the female workers during World War II (WWII). She discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history during the mid-century. She also discusses the Mesquite Club, the ways of family life including the grocery stores, restaurants and the various leisure activities like gardening and golf. Casey then discussses topics such as the atomic testing, Howard Hughes and the transformation of Las Vegas' transportation and downtown.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Mott Cecil conducted by Claytee D. White on April 24, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Helen Mott Cecil discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Westside, including seeing the Helldorado parades and Hoover (Boulder Dam). She also discusses working for Farmers Home Association and in the medical care and entertainment industry during the 1930s. She then discusses her divorce and other topics like the atomic bomb testing, the bus system, and downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Merl conducted by Claytee D. White on October 09, 2008 October 28, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Patricia Merl discusses her career as a professional dancer, working at the famous Radio City Music Hall, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada for opportunities in dancing, and moving to Florida for new possibilities. She also discusses teaching at the Hotel School at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and working as the Director of Gaming Outreach for the International Gaming Institute.
Archival Collection