Oral history interview with Alice Paiz conducted by Elizabeth Farmer on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Paiz describes her personal history and how she has seen Las Vegas, Nevada develop since moving there in 1952. Paiz discusses being a Boy Scouts Den Mother, entertainment in Las Vegas, and the Helldorado Festival. Paiz also discusses various reasons why women have more opportunities in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John H. Pappas conducted by James Greene on October 04, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pappas describes coming to the United States during the early twentieth century, eventually making his way to Nevada in 1904. Pappas discusses working for the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad Company helping to build the railroad from Caliente, Nevada to Las Vegas, Nevada. Pappas later discusses leaving Nevada, then returning to help build the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, before leaving due to the extreme heat. Pappas describes his personal history in Las Vegas, the city's changes, and opening his own restaurant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Pappas conducted by Adrienne O'Neal on March 02, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pappas candidly discusses his career as a dealer working in various casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pappas describes the differences between dealing in illegal gambling operations in New York City, New York and dealing for casinos in Las Vegas. Pappas discusses the differences between law enforcement in Las Vegas and on the east coast, and how he feels law enforcement is prejudiced against Italians. Pappas also discusses how he feels politics and minority groups have changed New York City for the worse.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ned Parcell conducted by James Russell on March 24, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parcell discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 to teach soldiers at the Las Vegas Army Air Forces Gunnery School, now Nellis Air Force Base. He discusses the school and the types of information he taught the soldiers. Parcell also discusses the development of the downtown and Strip areas of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steven Parker conducted by Emily Powers on December 19, 2006 for the UNLV @ Fifty Oral History Project. Steven Parker discusses teaching political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1975. He also discusses becoming the Political Science Department chair in 1980 and director of the University Forum Lecture Series.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Muriel Parks conducted by Richard Lloyd Pipkins on May 18, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parks discusses the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and her career working for the university as Director of Admissions and Records. Parks discusses the expansion of the campus and the growing number of students and degrees available currently compared to what was available when UNLV was first established.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Muriel Parks conducted by Judy Drappo on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parks discusses her personal history and the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Parks discusses her career working at UNLV as the Director of Admissions and Records, and how the university has changed over time. Parks also discusses the career of Maude Frazier and their personal relationship.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mara Braun conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 09, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Braun discusses growing up in Puerto Rico, family life, and moving to Indiana in the 1960s. She describes summer visits to Mexico City, Mexico, meeting her husband there, and converting to Judaism. Braun talks about her experiences as a Puerto Rican Jewish convert living in Mexico City, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1975. Later, Braun discusses how she got started in catering and opening her catering business, Le Royal Dreams. Lastly, Braun talks about her diverse clientele.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Brian Greenspun conducted by Barbara Tabach on January 10, 2018, January 24, 2018, February 21, 2018, and March 20, 2018 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In the first interview, Greenspun discusses his parents, Hank and Barbara Greenspun, his family's ancestry, and how his family came to Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls his childhood in Las Vegas, graduating from Las Vegas High School in 1964, and his decision to attend Georgetown University. In the second interview, Greenspun discusses the Watergate scandal, what he believes will fuel the next decade of Las Vegas growth, and development in the technology industry. He talks about the Greenspun Media Group, challenges in journalism, use of the term “fake news”, and the importance of giving young people a forum to talk about what they value. In the third interview, Greenspun recalls union demonstrations the Sands Hotel and Casino, the impact of American businessman Sheldon Adelson, and the need for balance in journalism. In the final interview, Greenspun talks about his father’s reporting on the Nevada Test Site, underground testing in the 1960s, and the early development of the Strip. Lastly, Greenspun talks about the importance of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to the city’s future.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sam Diaz conducted by Elsa Lopez on January 03, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Diaz discusses his upbringing in Chula Vista, California. He describes growing up near the United States-Mexico border and going to a school where instruction was initially in Spanish. Diaz recalls joining the United States Air Force in 2001, the impact that September 11, 2001 had on him, and being deployed to Iraq for two years. Later, Diaz talks about about difficulties he faced when readjusting to civilian life, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2007, and obtaining a job with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). Diaz recalls the October 1, 2017 shooting and changes that the LVMPD implemented after the tragedy. He talks about adopting two children, the process of becoming a foster parent, and raising his children to speak Spanish. Lastly, Diaz discusses his goals as the chair of the Hispanic Recruitment Council with the LVMPD and the changes that are happening in law enforcement in an attempt to mirror the demographics of the Las Vegas community.
Archival Collection