Archival Component
Oral history interview with Bonita Coleman conducted by Claytee D. White on February 22, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Coleman discusses her early life in St. Joseph, Louisiana. She shares her experiences helping to raise her 8 siblings while her mother worked to support her family. Coleman briefly discusses the historical race relations of St. Joseph in the 1950s and 1960s from her own experiences growing up. In 1968, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, joining her aunt and sister who had moved here in 1960. Coleman recalls the start of her career in the hospitality industry, and shares what she remembers of her family members' jobs since they all worked in the industry as well.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joel Coombs conducted by Claytee White on February 22, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Joel Coombs spoke about how his peers reacted to his interracial family. He recalls attending Valley High School amidst racial tensions, racism, and prejudice. He also spoke about the drug abuse happening at Valley High School and Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada. He recalled participating in protests as a child and landing on the front page of The Post.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Bill Lamb conducted by Roger Barnhart on June 29, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lamb was born in August 22, 1943 in Henderson, Nevada. In the interview, he talks about his experiences moving around Northern Nevada due to his father's mining job. Lamb also discusses his education, family, military service, work in Las Vegas, Nevada casinos, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Stella Champo Iaconis conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on July 22, 1981 and July 23, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Iaconis discusses her personal history and family background. Iaconis also recalls moving from Sparks, Nevada to Las Vegas, Nevada and provides a recollection of the city. Iaconis then discusses Block 16 and the increase of women working in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vaughan O. Holt conducted by Lee LaVecchia on February 22, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Holt offers an overview on marriage and family life in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses local transportation, education, and occupations. He also talks about pollution, tourism, railroads, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Judy Smith conducted by Suzanne Becker on November 22, 2008 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Smith discusses moving from Barstow, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. She also discusses working as the assistant society editor for the Las Vegas Sun, graduating from the University of Nevada Reno, and moving back to Las Vegas with her husband and children to live in the John S. Park Neighborhood in 1967.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia and Robert Schnider conducted by Claytee D. White on October 22, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Robert discusses his early life and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955. He remembers attending Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas) and his father's ownership of the Capri Motel. Patricia discusses her upbringing in Las Vegas, and growing up homesteading. Lastly, Patricia and Robert describe entertainment in Las Vegas during the late 1950s.
Archival Collection