Search Results
Nicholas Popovich oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Nicholas Popovich conducted by James Popovich on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Nicholas discusses working in casinos and the rise of gaming in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nicholas also talks about the changes in Las Vegas and how casinos changed the methods of operations throughout the city.
Archival Collection
Marilynne Recker oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Marilynne Recker conducted by Beverly Fails on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Recker discusses coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 for a brief visit and then eventually moving there in 1972. Recker further discusses her first impressions of Las Vegas and the layout of the city in the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Larry L. Woodrum oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Larry L. Woodrum conducted by Michael T. Groome on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Woodrum discusses banking in Southern Nevada. Woodrum then describes the growth in population of Las Vegas, Nevada, and explains why banking is important. Lastly, he discusses the advancement of banking in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Gene Kilroy oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Gene Kilroy conducted by Claytee White on October 18, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kilroy begins by discussing being born in a mining camp and his grandmother being an important figure in his life. Throughout the interview, Kilroy discusses working at various places on the Las Vegas Strip, including the Dunes Hotel and MGM Grand and meeting many famous people. He discusses the military being an important part of his life, as well as his time playing professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Archival Collection
David Sklansky oral history interview
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Oral history interview with David Sklansky conducted by Claytee D. White on October 19, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Sklansky arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967. While in Las Vegas, he recalls working as the mathematical consultant to Bob Stupak for many years where he developed some of the games used in Stupak's Vegas World Casino. He also taught poker and gambling, and was entered in The Griffin Book which contained names and photographss of people who found ways to win in the casino by legal means.
Archival Collection
Evelyn Conerly oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Evelyn Conerly conducted by Claytee D. White on March 11, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Conerly discusses her early life in Tallulah, Louisiana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1970. She remembers the Helldorado parade, participating in a letter exchange program, and school integration. Lastly, Conerly talks about her involvement with Les Femmes Douze, and her career in banking.
Archival Collection
Marinka Melanie Hunter oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Marinka Melanie Hunter conducted by Claytee D. White on April 15, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hunter discusses her early life in Cuba and immigrating to the Unites States in 1959. She remembers moving to New York City, New York, becoming a burlesque dancer, and performing internationally. Lastly, Hunter talks about burlesque shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Burlesque Hall of Fame.
Archival Collection
Jan Jones Blackhurst oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Jan Jones Blackhurst conducted by David G. Schwartz on September 19, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Blackhurst discusses her position as mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1991 to 1999. She describes her involvement with Proposition 7 in 1990, her relationship with casino owners, and the growth of gaming during the 1990s. Lastly, Blackhurst discusses her employment with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Archival Collection
Richard Hooker oral history interview
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Abstract
Oral history interview with Richard Hooker conducted by Claytee D. White on June 10, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hooker discusses his work as an artist and cultural practitioner for the City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs. He recalls his background in political science and his employment with the Nevada Arts Council. Hooker then describes the projects he was involved with, including preserving neon signs and the formation of the Neon Museum.
Archival Collection
Transcript of interview with Dennis Ortwein by Claytee White, May 6, 2009
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Archival Collection
Description
Dennis Ortwein arrived in Las Vegas in 1956. He shares many details about growing up in Montana, his parents and siblings, his education, and the moment in time when he was offered an opportunity to work in Las Vegas. He also lays out the path his singing career took, starting with school plays, duets with his sister, and high school quartets. Once in Las Vegas, Dennis taught for a while, served as principal, and was involved in creating programs that helped integrate schools. He also talks about his church choir work, entertainment in early Las Vegas, above-ground testing at the Nevada Test Site, and anti-nuclear protests. Dennis served as lab school and student teaching coordinator in Nigeria. He offers several anecdotes and stories about the time he and his family spent there. After retiring early (age 53), Dennis acted as consultant to the Esmeralda County school board, executive director for the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and wrote a book. He is currently enjoying his singing career by appearing at conventions, in musicals, and at weddings and memorials.
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