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Hal Erickson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00546

Abstract

Oral history interview with Hal Erickson conducted by Alice Brown on April 01, 1998 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Erickson discusses starting work at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas libraries in 1965 and his first impressions of the library. Erickson discusses the organizational and catalog systems of the library and his efforts to improve library organization.

Archival Collection

Billy Root oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02569

Abstract

Oral history interview with Billy Root conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on May 14, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Root begins by discussing his upbringing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he developed an early interest in being a musician due to encouragement from his father, who was also a musician. He describes playing baritone saxophone in the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing at the Apollo Theater in Ella Fitzgerald's orchestra, and going on tour with a predominantly African American jazz band in the Southern United States during segregation. Root details his interactions and impressions of various celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, attending Playboy parties, and eventually deciding to settle in Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses working as a professional musician in Las Vegas, where he performed in such casinos as the Dunes and the Desert Inn. He concludes by discussing his retirement and his family.

Archival Collection

Ida Webb oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03436

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. 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

Rosenda Gomez oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03926

Abstract

Oral history interview with Rosenda Gomez conducted by Stefani Evans on July 24, 2024 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Gomez describes her childhood and youth in General Luna, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. She shares about her family's financial struggles, becoming pen pals and eventually marrying an older American man, moving to Texas, and having a daughter. Desparate to leave an abusive marriage, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993 and worked at the El Cortez making change. After working in a number of casinos, including Imperial Palace, Stratosphere, and Sunset Station, she returned to El Cortez in 1998. Gomez describes how she later became more involved in the Culinary Workers Union (Local 226). In this interview, Gomez describes the physical work of cocktail service; the duties of shop steward and the benefits of Union membership. She recalls San Tomas celebrations in her town and annual Philippines Independence Day celebrations at home; her favorite Filipino foods, and Spring Mountain Road as it was when she arrived in 1993. She also recalls anecdotes of Jackie Gaughan, owner of the El Cortez. Digital audio available; no transcript available.

Archival Collection

George Durkin oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03927

Abstract

Oral history interview with George Durkin conducted by Claytee D. White on July 26, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Durkin describes his childhood in Schenectady, New York, where he first became interested in music. After college, Durkin enrolled in a master's program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and worked at Strip locations behind some of the great entertainers in the industry. While at UNLV, he studied with composer, arranger, and musician Don Hannah, and became a life-long friend of his son, Paul Hannah. Durkin explains that while he currently works in real estate, he still plays in shows when possible and is a regular percussionist for the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Over the years, Durkin played for many entertainers in Las Vegas, including Robert Goulet, Dorothy Hamill, Julio Iglesias, Dionne Warwick, Liberace, Joan Rivers, Sammy Davis, George Burns, and many more. Digital audio available; no transcript available.

Archival Collection

Steven Kwon oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03928

Abstract

Oral history interview with Steven Kwon conducted by Stefani Evans on October 1, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Kwon begins by describing his childhood in Seoul, Korea as the youngest of three children during the Korean conflict. In 1960, he served his compulsory military service, which was 18 months for students. In 1964, he followed a friend's recommendation to go to Denmark and attend the folk high school (now the International People's College) to immerse himself in the Danish language, history, and community. He spent one year at the folk high school and later attended the College of Building Technology at the University of Denmark. While he was in his final year, Las Vegas, Nevada architect James McDaniel recruited him to join his firm, which he did in December 1974. After working with McDaniel for one year, he joined Jack Miller Associates for three years and David Welles/Architronics before opening his own design/build firm, GKG Builders in 1986, which he claims was the first Las Vegas firm to offer both services. Soon after arriving in Las Vegas, he joined the Lions Club and Rotary International and, in 1986 created Southern Nevada's first Asian Chamber of Commerce. He also worked with various politicians at different levels of government to encourage South Korean investment in Las Vegas and Nevada, eventually forming a sister-city relationship between Las Vegas, Nevada, and An San, Korea. Lastly, Kwon recalls how he came to design and build the the International Peace Education Center (IPEC) on Bermuda Road for the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, shortly before Moon passed away.

Archival Collection

Cranford Crawford oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02706

Abstract

Oral history interview with Cranford Crawford conducted by Claytee D. White on May 27, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Crawford discusses his early life and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964. He talks about his involvement with the Las Vegas branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), working with African American community leaders, and the consent decree of 1971 alleging a series of violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Crawford describes his career with the Clark County Department of Family Services (DFS), issues of segregation in Las Vegas, and being involved with Les Femmes Douze (The Ladies Twelve). Lastly, Crawford discusses Las Vegas government, school integration, and becoming a Freemason.

Archival Collection

Daniel Van Epp oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03174

Abstract

Oral history interview with Daniel Van Epp conducted by Stefani Evans on April 19, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Van Epp discusses his upbringing in Virginia. He talks about his initial interest in architecture, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995, and becoming President of the Howard Hughes Corporation. Van Epp recalls the development of Summerlin, the increase of homes being built in that area, and the construction of the I-215 Beltway. Lastly, Van Epp discusses master planning communities and the construction of Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Ryann Juden oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02892

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ryann Juden conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 23, 2016 and November 3, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project.

Ryann Juden, an Assistant City Manager, talks about the growth of North Las Vegas under the leadership of Mayor John Lee. He shares information about Mayor Lee's partnership with Brookings Institution for real estate development and electric vehicle negotiations with Faraday Future by Dr. Qiong Liu.

Archival Collection

Linda Alterwitz and Elizabeth Stone oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03829

Abstract

Oral history interview with Linda Alterwitz and Elizabeth Stone conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 15, 2022 for The Great Pause: Las Vegas Chronicles of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Two visual artists, Linda Alterwitz and Elizabeth Stone, discuss their work and their experiences creating art before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two friends share details of their collaborative work, Earthborn: 30 Seconds to 40 Moons, exploring the concepts of life, loss, and taking a restorative breath. Their exhibit was displayed at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Alterwitz resides, from October 2021 until January 2022.

Archival Collection