Oral history interview with Sydney Wickliffe conducted by Claytee D. White on February 01, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Wickliffe discusses her childhood in both Long Beach, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses working as an auditor for the Gaming Control Board, then as deputy chief. Wickliffe then talks about her position as director of Nevada's Department of Business and Industry and serving as a member of Governor Kenny Guinn's cabinet.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dennis Ritz conducted by Claytee D. White on September 29, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Ritz discusses his early life in rural Pennsylvania. He recalls his initial interest in entertainment, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965, and becoming an entertainment director for hotels and casinos. Ritz talks about the influence of organized crime in Las Vegas, and the various shows he worked on.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Miguel Villarba conducted by David Islas on December 6, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
In this interview, Miguel Villarba shares his family's history growing up in Manila, Philippines and immigrating to the United States in 2016. He talks about first living in Chattanooga, Tennessee before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to be near family when Miguel was in high school. Miguel Villarba shares stories of his grandfather's farm in Pangasinan, Philippines, the differences in city and town life across Manila, Chattanooga, and Las Vegas, and his educational plans. He also talks about Filipino culture and traditions, and racial discrimination.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arno Marsh conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 08, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Marsh moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957. After transferring into the Las Vegas union in 1959, he signed on to perform with Charlie Ventura at the old Thunderbird Hotel. Marsh recalls playing at several different hotels on the Las Vegas strip as well as sharing the stage with a number of famous entertainers in the business. His recollections span several decades and cover a variety of topics related to the Las Vegas jazz scene.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Leavitt conducted by his son, Monte Leavitt, on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mr. Leavitt talks about his career as a truck and bus driver. He also talks about the life in Southern Nevada, the soldiers stationed here, and gambling. Leavitt also briefly discusses doing drilling work on the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
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
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
Oral history interview with Sandra Gray conducted by Elsa Lopez and Barbara Tabach on December 13, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Gray discusses her family history, and describes how her parents are immigrants from Durango, Mexico and moved from East Los Angeles, California to East Las Vegas, Nevada in 1991. After getting her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) she started a behavioral health agency that provided rehabilitative mental health services to children primarily in the foster care system. She went on to earn a master's degree in mental health counseling, a master's in psychology, and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. She is the founder of Empower LV, which strives for equitable access to sports and tutoring. Dr. Sandra Gray is also the owner and operator of Innovation Behavioral Health Solutions, LLC.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marguerite Goldstein conducted by Carol A. Semendoff on February 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers early Las Vegas, Nevada from 1950 to 1979. Also included during this interview is discussion on local dignitaries, the growth of Las Vegas, gambling as the major industry, Las Vegas Strip hotels, and housing developments.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Susan Cowan conducted by Andres Moses on January 31, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Susan Cowan discusses growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, and always enjoying tap dancing. She then discusses working as a secretary at the University of Colorado-Boulder and becoming the lead administrator for the chemistry department there. She also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and getting involved with the local tap dancing community.
Archival Collection