Oral history interview with Janet Kennedy conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 07, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Janet Kennedy discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963 because her husband Norm was offered a position as a weather man at the Nevada Test Site. She also discusses her family life, social life, entertaining at her cabin in Mount Charleston, and volunteering at various organizations across the Las Vegas Valley.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Zelvin D. Lowman conducted by Kevin A. Hedden on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lowman discusses the evolution of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Southern Nevada and his experiences working for Nevada Power. Lowman also discusses the challenges Nevada Power faced in keeping up with the growing energy demands of a rapidly expanding population. Finally, Lowman talks about working in the Nevada state legislature.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Hogan conducted by Patty L. Baratti on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hogan talks about his time working with the telephone company in Arizona and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses his time working on grazing rights and cattle ranching in Nevada and how planning went to ensure that farms were able to have land to graze their animals. He speaks about dealing with farmers, corporations, and the government and the frustrations he had to deal with before there were set laws about grazing. He also discusses the change from mainly family farms in Nevada to corporations owning much of the farmland.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Anna Nakazawa conducted by Donnielle Dove on November 29, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Nakazawa reflects on her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada what it was like growing up and what it was like growing up Asian-American in Southern Nevada. Nakazawa is currently enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and studying criminal justice. She recalls attending Saturday Japanese school every weekend until she was in high school, allowing her to connect with her cultural background and describes annual trips to Japan in the summer. Nakazawa's ambition and determination is something she takes pride in, and speaks of her multiple jobs and the financial opportunities they bring her. Furthermore, she discusses the importance of education and sharing Asian-American news on social media so more people have a better understanding of what is it like to be Asian-American.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John R. Shown conducted by Robert E. Pilgreen on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shown discusses his personal history living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1953. Shown then describes casinos that were built during his lifetime, and recalls the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Shown then discusses gambling, and the effect that gambling has on the Las Vegas economy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Darrin Bush conducted by Claytee D. White on June 30, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bush discusses photographing Las Vegas, Nevada over a 25-year period for the Las Vegas News Bureau. He also talks about the importance of implosions, cruising Fremont Street, and growing up in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with DeeDee Jasmin conducted by Claytee White on March 19, 1998 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Jasmin opens the interview discussing her life growing up on the Westside of Los Angeles, California. Jasmin goes on to discuss her pursuit of a dance career as a youth. Jasmin got her first big break playing in the comedy musical Sugar Hill and after her high school years she starred in movies before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955. Jasmin describes her excitement meeting East Coast dancers during her stay in Las Vegas. Jasmin also discusses her interactions with the many famous actors, dancers, singers, and musicians she met during her career.
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 interviews with Gail S. McQuary conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin on April 14, 1997, April 25, 1997 and May 28, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. McQuary opens her interviews with a discussion of her childhood and her introduction to dance in California. McQuary then talks about getting recruited to perform in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sahara Hotel and Casino while performing at a fair. McQuary goes on to describe her dance career in Las Vegas and the other casinos where she worked. McQuary also talks about how dancing and shows in Las Vegas changed throughout the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Gubler conducted by Suzanne Becker on December 29, 2008 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Gubler discusses his parents moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 and growing up in the John S. Park Neighborhood. He then discusses becoming a lawyer and moving back to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection