Search Results
Ida Webb oral history interview
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interview with Ida Webb conducted by Claytee D. White on February 29, 1996 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Webb discusses her childhood in the American South. She discusses her family's move from Tallulah, Louisiana to McNary, Arizona, and then their migration to Las Vegas, Nevada. Webb shares her experiences as a young African American mother in Las Vegas in the 1940s and the things her and her husband did to provide for their family. She shares her views on her marriage and her views on African American culture of the time. Webb discusses her husband's civic involvement and his job at the Las Vegas Sun newspaper. She details her experiences working in the hospitality industry for such early casinos as the El Rancho Hotel & Casino, The Flamingo Hotel & Casino, and the Last Frontier Hotel & Casino. She shares her own civic involvements and her participation in the Culinary Workers Union Local 226.
Archival Collection
Jones, Essie Lee
Essie Lee Jones got married to Charles Jones in 1969 in Tallulah, Louisiana. Jones came to Las Vegas in 1969, and held positions at several hotels on the Strip. She went to the Culinary Union hall and procured a job as a maid at the Stardust during graveyard shift, and eventually as a bus girl in the Palm Room. Jones then worked at the Frontier for fourteen years.
Person
Thomas, Sonny
Sandy C. Thomas is better known as Sonny. Sonny Thomas was born in Fordyce, Arkansas on Feburary 6, 1940. In 1959, Sonny arrived in Las Vegas looking for the promised employment opportunities. His first job was as a bus boy at El Rancho. Over the course of the next thirty years, he moved from one job to another, each time gaining more responsibility. His last hotel role was as shipping and receiving manager at the MGM. While working at the MGM, Sonny finally secured a part-time second job with Davis Funeral Home.
Person
Barbara Jean Drew oral history interview
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interview with Barbara Jean Drew conducted by Claytee D. White on May 17, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Barbara Drew is the Dean of the Academy for Ministers, teaches Bible study, and performs other spiritual work at New Jerusalem Worship Center. Drew migrated to Las Vegas from Fortune Fork, Louisiana, just two miles outside the city limits of Tallulah.
This interview covers life in the Black community beginning when Drew arrived in 1961. She spoke about the importance of businesses like the Brown Derby, Hamburger Heaven, and the Town Tavern that hosted jazz on Sunday afternoons with a dance floor that she enjoyed. She discussed her first job running American Linen, a Dry Cleaners owned by Phil Shapiro; Shapiro mentored Drew, teaching her about business operations, purchasing property for her family, bookkeeping, and the importance of having a bank account. She also spoke of a neighborhood where neighbors helped neighbors and opportunities that flourished throughout the Black community. Subjects discussed include: Jackson Ave, Town Tavern, New Jerusalem Worship Center, Kasper Park, Berkley Square, and Phil Shapiro.
Archival Collection
Audio recording clip of interview with Anna Bailey by Claytee D. White, March 3, 1997
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Part of an interview with Anna Bailey by Claytee White on March 3, 1997. Bailey describes her arrival in Las Vegas and opening night at the Moulin Rouge.
Sound
Transcript of interview with Alma Whitney by Claytee D. White, March 3, 1996
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Interview with Alma Whitney conducted by Claytee D. White on March 3, 1996. Seeking better employment opportunities, Whitney moved to Las Vegas from Tallulah, Louisiana, at the age of sixteen. Whitney supported Westside churches and schools and was respected as supervisor in housekeeping at Desert Inn. Whitney provides information on the African American migration to Las Vegas during the 1940s, post-war race relations in Las Vegas, the daily work of hotel maids, and the Culinary Union.
Text
Lisby, Lee Henry
Lee Henry Lisby was born July 01, 1902 in Louisiana. In 1942, Lisby moved from Tallulah, Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he found success in owning real estate. He retired as a sawmill worker, truck driver, construction laborer, and hotel porter. His first housing was an old Army hospital tent, and then he built a house. All of his ten children graduated from high school in Las Vegas.
Person