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Ron Tomlin oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03893

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ronald (Ron) Tomlin conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Tomlin recalls growing up as child with his mother, Dorothy Dalton Tomlin, who started the Dotty Dee Dancers in 1952. Ron recalls spending much of his childhood with his grandmother while his mother toured the country with the Dotty Dee Dancers. In 1955, his father, Donald Sherwood Tomlin, opened a clothing store, Scottie's Clothing Store, in the Moulin Rouge shopping strip on the Westside of Las Vegas, where he sold the latest fashion trends to Black men. Ron traveled across country with his parents after high school, helped them run a small resort on the Russian River called the Bohemian Grove, and then began his photography career. Throughout his career as a photographer, he has photographed Mike Tyson, Naomi Campbell, and Elvis. Tomlin also talks about having a passion for dancing, like his mother.

Archival Collection

Scott Rayer Collection of Television Programs about Las Vegas, Nevada

Identifier

MS-01130

Abstract

The Scott Rayer Collection of Television Programs about Las Vegas, Nevada (1988-2023) contains digitized broadcast commercial television shows about various topics related to Las Vegas, Nevada that were recorded by Scott Rayer as his way of "airchecking" television content he enjoyed about Las Vegas, Nevada. The television programs represent a broad range of genres including entertainment, news, documentary, and talk shows on local and national television networks.

Archival Collection

Charley Henchis Papers

Identifier

MS-01145

Abstract

The Charley Henchis Papers (approximately 1945-1987) document the career of international cabaret show producer Charley Henchis and the shows he produced in Las Vegas, Nevada and Beirut, Lebanon. Materials include Henchis' business files which includes correspondence, files on specialty acts, photographs, and press about Henchis. Shows represented in this collection includes La Parisienne which was performed at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas in 1960 before moving to Casino du Liban in Beirut. Other shows represented in this collection that were produced for Casino du Liban includes Mais Oui, S'il Vous Plait, Flash!, and Hello!. Additional materials include press and publicity files, music arrangements and scores, recordings of musical numbers used for the productions, and film footage of shows and production reels. Also included is film footage of the Charley Ballet, Henchis' dance troupe who were featured in his shows.

Archival Collection

Alex Kang oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03880

Abstract

Oral history interview with Alex Kang conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on October 4, 2022 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Kang discusses his childhood moving back and forth between Pusan, South Korea and America as his parents sought the best place to raise their children. Kang recalls the multitude of endeavors he has heavily invested in since he was young, from moving to Brazil to pursue his interests in soccer to practicing golf every single day in his youth. Kang attended San Diego State University on a scholarship to play golf and majored in math. He got involved in a party bus business, honed his golf skills, and decided to learn how to count cards at the casino. Kang moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2013. Throughout the rest of the interview, Kang discusses how he organizes extravagant events, including an event hosting the popular K-Pop group BTS in Las Vegas, his golfing career, and enjoying his life surrounded by his family.

Archival Collection

Alice Key oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00533

Abstract

Oral history interview with Alice Key conducted by Claytee D. White on August 16, 2007 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Key talks about her birth in Kentucky, upbringing in Riverside, California, high school graduation in 1928 and enrollment at UCLA. She describes at length her entry into the entertainment business as a dancer in 1929, her work and travels with dance companies, and her decision to retire in 1937. She continues discussing the roots of her political activism in Los Angeles, her journalism career, her work to end restrictive covenants, racism in Hollywood hiring, and poor representation for Black dancers in the industry. She then explains what prompted her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954 and describes the levels of racism and inequality in Las Vegas during this period. She remarks on many notable Las Vegas leaders, including Dr. Charles West, Dr. James McMillan, Mabel Hoggard, Woodrow Wilson, and others. She also discusses the role of the NAACP, her work as a deputy registrar of voters, and creating the first all-Black television show in the country: Talk of the Town.

Archival Collection

John Graves oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00718

Abstract

Oral history interview with John Graves conducted by Hank Baran on March 01, 1987 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Graves discusses the gaming industry, the women in gaming, hotels on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, McCarran Airfield, and golfing in Southern Nevada.

Archival Collection

Leeander Fields Hayes oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00819

Abstract

Oral history interview with Leeander Fields Hayes conducted by Mark Kevin Ryhlick on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hayes discusses the history of entertainment in Las Vegas, Nevada from the mid-1940s to 1958, specifically the local live music and comedy scenes. He also touches on the topic of segregation and how Black entertainers, such as Lena Horne, were treated when they came to perform in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Elinor Horden oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00886

Abstract

Oral history interview with Elinor Horden conducted by Valerie Fujii on February 13, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Horden discusses local entertainment in the 1950s, as well as the social and environmental changes that have occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Virginia Houser oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00894

Abstract

Oral history interview with Virginia Houser conducted by Karen Reed on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Houser discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954 and the developments and changes that she has observed in the city. Houser also discusses the entertainment that Las Vegas, Nevada offered at the time, and surrounding areas, including Lake Mead and Mount Charleston, Nevada. Houser then discusses some of the first casinos that opened on the Las Vegas Strip and on Fremont Street.

Archival Collection

Russell Howard oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00898

Abstract

Oral history interview with Russel Howard conducted by James W. Howard on January 10, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Howard recalls being transferred to Las Vegas, Nevada for work in 1947 and how impressed he was by the number of celebrities from the movie and entertainment industry that frequented Las Vegas in the early 1950s. He also discusses the expansion of the Las Vegas Strip and how rapidly the number of hotels grew.

Archival Collection