Oral history interview with Melissa and Thomas Puckett conducted by Claytee D. White on July 14, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Melissa and Thomas discuss their early life in Las Vegas, Nevada. They talk about living in the Scotch 80s neighborhood, the community, and the future of the West Charleston area. Lastly, Melissa and Thomas discuss issues in public education and the preservation of homes in their neighborhood.
Oral history interview with Patricia and Raymond Potter conducted by Shirley Emerson on June 05, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Patricia and Raymond discuss their personal upbringings and lives prior to meeting each other. Raymond talks about his father’s employment with the Union Pacific Railroad and purchasing properties on South Fifth Street. He then recalls his father's business, Fifth Street Liquor Store. Patricia describes moving to Las Vegas in 1957 and graduating from Las Vegas High School in 1961. They talk about the impact that Howard Hughes had on the development of Las Vegas, nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site, and the Helldorado parades. Lastly, Patricia and Raymond discuss the population increase in Las Vegas, the closing of Fremont Street for renovation, and changes in the West Charleston area.
Oral history interview with Margaret Riskin conducted by Anna Huddleston on August 12, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Riskin discusses living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1993. She talks about moving into a home in the Scotch 80s neighborhood, her neighbors, and the home owner association for the neighborhood. Riskin describes security concerns in the Scotch 80s, experiencing a home robbery, and why she decided to relocate. Lastly, Riskin discusses community events held in her neighborhood.
Oral history interview with Ann Snavely conducted by Claytee D. White on January 08, 2015 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Snavely discusses her upbringing in Pennsylvania and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1960s. She talks about living in Glen Heather Estates and moving to the Scotch 80s neighborhood. Lastly, Snavely describes community events in the Scotch 80s, changes in the West Charleston area, and the construction of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Oral history interviews with Carolyn MacMullen conducted by Su Kim Chung on April 21, 2014 and July 07, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In these interviews, MacMullen discusses being a dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sands, Desert Inn, and Sahara throughout the 1950s. She recalls working as a dresser and describes what it is like to be backstage during a show production. MacMullen then talks about changes in showgirl costumes, the Texas Copa Girls, and her decision to stop dancing. Lastly, MacMullen discusses living in the West Charleston area and changes in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Pat Spearman conducted by Lisa McAllister on March 03, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Spearman discusses her experiences in the military and becoming a minister at United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes what it was like to serve in the military as a gay woman and telling church members about her sexuality. Spearman then talks about the African American gay community in Las Vegas and the intersectionality of race, class, religion, sexuality, and politics. Lastly, Spearman discusses her plans to get re-elected as a Nevada State Senator.
Oral history interviews with Brenda Manlove Williams and Johnny Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on April 18, 2016 and May 03, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Brenda discusses her early life in Nashville, Tennessee and attending Fisk University. She talks about being a member of The Fisk Jubilee Singers and later transferring to Tennessee State University. Brenda recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1972, her employment at Caesars Palace as a cocktail waitress, and the nightlife entertainment at the time. Lastly, Brenda discusses the social and political divides in the African American community of Las Vegas. In the second interview, Johnny describes being one of the first African American card dealers and pit bosses. He talks about his employment at Caesars Palace and changes in the gaming industry. Lastly, Brenda discusses her employment with Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC).
Oral history interview with Edwin "Tony" Wuehle conducted by David Schwartz on December 21, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Wuehle discusses his early life in Hettinger, North Dakota and his career as an educator. He recalls his first experiences playing poker, participating in home poker games while living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and using a pseudonym as a player. Wuehle then talks about writing a book, founding the Gamblers Book Club Press in Las Vegas, Nevada, and writing for religious publications. Later, Wuehle explains the tension between participating in religion and playing poker. He describes Las Vegas poker rooms during the 1960s and 1970s and shares his thoughts on online poker. Lastly, Wuehle discusses why casinos use prop players and his efforts to organize a poker tournament to raise funds for Bay de Noc Community College in Michigan.
Oral history interview with Sylvia Alvarado conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez and Monserrath Hernández on April 12, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Alvarado discusses her early life in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about attending College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), studying journalism and media, and her internship with Lotus Broadcasting. Alvarado describes hosting a one-hour show on the La Buena radio station, and her experience speaking on a Spanish-language radio station. Later, Alvarado explains the history of Spanish-language radio stations in Las Vegas, the types of music she plays, and being a co-host on the Dave and Mahoney Morning Show for a CBS radio affiliate in Las Vegas. Lastly, Alvarado discusses being a role model for Latinas in media, Latino representation in radio, and the future of radio.
Oral history interview with Larry Mason conducted by Nathalie Martinez on September 14, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Mason discusses his upbringing by his Mexican immigrant parents in East Los Angeles, California and attending New Mexico State University. He describes receiving an athletics scholarship for basketball, playing in the European League, and earning a master's degree in education. Mason then talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1984 to become Director of Admissions at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, being elected to the Clark County School Board in 1993, and his work at the College of Southern Nevada as Vice President of Diversity and Cultural Affairs. Lastly, Mason explain his involvement with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, minority students in STEM fields, his vision for public education, and the various community activities he has been involved in.