Oral history interview with Junell Bowman conducted by Anna Huddleston on March 09, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bowman begins by describing her early history as a singer in California, performing on the radio, different orchestras, and nightclubs before marrying her husband and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. Bowman discusses becoming a sketch artist after managing an unsuccessful business, doing portraits and caricatures of people in the casinos, at conventions, and on the Las Vegas Strip. She talks about the celebrities and entertainers she met and did caricatures for while working at casinos like the Stardust and Riviera, and the amount of work that went into being a professional sketch artist.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Evelyn and J.C. Gamble conducted by Claytee D. White on August 31, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Evelyn discusses living on the Westside in the 1950s and describes the development of that area. J.C. recalls his years in the United States Air Force and experiences stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. Lastly, J.C. describes why the Westside was off limits for active Air Force members, and the two speak about their employment at the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Johnny Griffin conducted by Claytee D. White on September 13, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Griffin discusses his personal history and working at an all-white country club as a golf caddy. He recalls receiving a golf scholarship to Jackson State University, and describes starting a junior golf program at Craig Ranch Park in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Later, Griffin discusses his senior golf tour and the history of black golfing in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Hermi and John Hiatt conducted by Jeff van Ee on April 02, 2010, April 03, 2010, and April 25, 2010 as part of the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In these interviews, Hermi and John Hiatt discuss their involvement in shaping the Red Rock Audubon Society, cataloging native plants, and the national Christmas Bird Count event. They later describe mapping around Southern Nevada, establishing boundaries for the sale of public lands, and the groundwater system under the Las Vegas, Nevada valley.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth J. Kiley conducted by Claytee D. White on January 24, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kiley discusses her personal history and living in the Eastwood neighborhood in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes local restaurants that were popular during the mid 1960s, the development of downtown Las Vegas, and race relations in the 1960s. Lastly, Kiley recalls attending and graduating from Rancho High School in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Kopczak conducted by Claytee D. White on September 04, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kopczak begins the interview by discussing his family history and personal history in the United States Air Force before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife in the 1980s. He then describes his career working for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a storekeeper for Lied Library, explaining his job duties and how the university has changed since he began working there. Lastly, Kopczak also talks about various library employees and administrators he has worked with, and life in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Victoria Nozero conducted by Claytee D. White on December 03, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Nozero discusses her personal history, experiences in law school, and her employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Nozero describes the committees she has been involved with at UNLV and becoming the director of User Services in the Circulation Department at Lied Library. Later, she discusses the significance of reference work, and the challenges of making information accessible. Lastly, Nozero describes changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruby Lee Taylor and Susana Loli conducted by David Schwartz on April 22, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Taylor and Loli discuss their careers working at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and their membership in the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. They begin by discussing their individual job responsibilities, the benefits of being in the union, and the entertainment at the Riviera. They describe which shifts they prefer to work and give an overview of a hotel employee's life. Taylor and Loli conclude by discussing their responses to learning of the Riviera's closing and the health care provided by their union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jean Jenkins conducted by Claytee D. White on August 07, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jenkins discusses her career in real estate and starting her own real estate business in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jenkins describes the methods involved with selling real estate, working in Las Vegas during the late 1960s, and advertising properties in newspapers. She discusses her contributions to changing commission policies for brokers and how this would eventually help the Board of Realtors in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Mugleston Kelly conducted by Claytee D. White on August 07, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mugleston Kelly discusses attending Las Vegas High School and being a dancer in the Rhythmettes, Las Vegas High School's female dance group. She describes Evelyn Stuckey, the coach for the group, the performances the Rhythmettes had at different venues, and life in Las Vegas during the 1950s. Mugleston Kelly also talks about owning and operating liquor stores and bars with her husband, how Las Vegas has changed, and her family history.
Archival Collection