Oral history interviews with Grady Aitken conducted by David Schwartz on June 03, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Aitken discusses his upbringing and early interest in the gaming industry. He remembers completing dealing school at the Harrah’s Casino in Reno, Nevada, working for Bill Harrah, and interacting with high profile players. Aitken talks about junkets, differences between casinos in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, and the licensing process to become a casino floor manager. Later, Aitken describes the opening of the MGM Grand Hotel in 1993, becoming a pit manager, and auditioning dealers. Lastly, Aitken discusses his role as Director of table games at the Westgate Las Vegas Casino Resort.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bill Jones conducted by Louis Vernon on October 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jones discusses his involvement with the music industry in Las Vegas, Nevada; the different recreational activities that he participated in, and the social changes that have occurred in the Las Vegas Strip music industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Gans conducted by Claytee D. White on January 30, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gans discusses working as an electrician and attending the Aviation Academy in Reno, Nevada and then as a flight instructor there. He also discusses working in measuring radioactivity from nuclear testing, working at the Clark County Sanitation, and at the Las Vegas, Nevada Convention and Visitors Authority as a vice president there.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stormy Caldwell conducted by Dennis McBride on March 26, 2005 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Caldwell discusses the gay community in Lake Tahoe and Reno, Nevada. She talks about her involvement with Stonewell Park, an idea of a separated gay community during the 1980s. Caldwell then discusses buying land on Thunder Mountain, Nevada and the possibility of Stonewell Park being built in that area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pamela Dallas conducted by Dennis McBride on February 07, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Dallas discusses working alongside gay activist Fred Schoonmaker and her involvement with Stonewall Park, an idea of a separated gay community during the 1980s. She talks about fundraising for Stonewall Park and the homophobia that the community of Silver Springs, Nevada had towards the construction of Stonewall Park.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maureen Preuit conducted by Michael Johnson on March 03, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Preuit discusses her experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her experience working as a bar owner and bartender, places she resided in Las Vegas, and environmental changes that has happened during the 1960s and 1970s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Nabit conducted by Gregory Nicholl on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nabit discusses her experiences working as a cocktail server since the 1950s as well as her experiences working at Stardust Resort and Casino since the 1970s in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Cortez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 29, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cortez discusses his early life in New York City, New York and growing up in the Spanish Harlem. He talks about Puerto Rican traditions he participated in, his early interest in boxing, competing in the Golden Glove tournaments, and becoming a boxing referee. Cortez recalls some of the biggest fights he refereed, and being inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011. Lastly, Cortez discusses the boxing rivalry between Mexican and Puerto Rican boxers, and the future of boxing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Payne conducted by Mara E. Vernon on March 19, 1997 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Payne discusses his career with the Las Vegas News Bureau. He talks about his role as Head of the Bureau and his work in promoting Las Vegas through media outlets. Payne remembers the Bureau’s partnership with the Union Pacific Railroad and the beginning of corporate ownership in Las Vegas hotels and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Catherine Perroitti conducted by Steven Labonte on February 27, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perroitti describes her personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada and how the city has changed over time. Perroitti describes her perception of the increase in crime and drugs present in the city over time. Perroitti discusses her work on the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board in Las Vegas and the importance of older generations, as well as her career as a registered nurse. Perroitti also discusses veterans legislation and the needs of veterans after they returned home from deployment.
Archival Collection