Oral history interview with Hal Erickson conducted by Alice Brown on April 01, 1998 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Erickson discusses starting work at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas libraries in 1965 and his first impressions of the library. Erickson discusses the organizational and catalog systems of the library and his efforts to improve library organization.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Billy Root conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on May 14, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Root begins by discussing his upbringing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he developed an early interest in being a musician due to encouragement from his father, who was also a musician. He describes playing baritone saxophone in the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing at the Apollo Theater in Ella Fitzgerald's orchestra, and going on tour with a predominantly African American jazz band in the Southern United States during segregation. Root details his interactions and impressions of various celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, attending Playboy parties, and eventually deciding to settle in Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses working as a professional musician in Las Vegas, where he performed in such casinos as the Dunes and the Desert Inn. He concludes by discussing his retirement and his family.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida Webb conducted by Claytee D. White on February 29, 1996 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Webb discusses her childhood in the American South. She discusses her family's move from Tallulah, Louisiana to McNary, Arizona, and then their migration to Las Vegas, Nevada. Webb shares her experiences as a young African American mother in Las Vegas in the 1940s and the things her and her husband did to provide for their family. She shares her views on her marriage and her views on African American culture of the time. Webb discusses her husband's civic involvement and his job at the Las Vegas Sun. She details her experiences working in the hospitality industry for such early casinos as the El Rancho Hotel & Casino, The Flamingo Hotel & Casino, and the Last Frontier Hotel & Casino. She shares her own civic involvements and her participation in the Culinary Workers Union Local 226.
Archival Collection
The Harmon Family Photograph Collection contains black-and-white and color photographic prints, negatives, postcards, and slides of the Harmon family in Las Vegas and Boulder City, Nevada between approximately 1900 and 1983. Las Vegas photographs depict the Harmon family in their home, at a ranch, and at Las Vegas High School. Boulder City photographs include a wedding and a view of Black Canyon, Nevada. Lastly, the collection also includes photographs of the Harmon family with various people, including the Wengert family and Howard Cannon, at receptions, ceremonies, and posing in front of Las Vegas buildings.
Archival Collection
The Georgia Lewis Photograph Collection contains black-and-white photographic prints and negatives primarily depicting Kyle Ranch, also known as Boulderado Ranch and Taylor Ranch, between approximately 1900 and 1950. The collection also features locations throughout Nevada such as Sloan, Panaca, Overton, and Indian Springs. Other images depict various individuals, including figures such as Grant Sawyer and J. Edgar Hoover, in Nevada locations and around the United States including Washington and Los Angeles, California.
Archival Collection
The Aladdin Hotel and Casino Photograph Collection (approximately 1966 to 1979) consists of thirteen black-and-white and color photographic prints. Included are images of architectural renderings, exterior views of the hotel entrance and theater, and interior views of the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, convention area, dining areas, and guest suites and rooms.
Archival Collection
The Southern Nevada Educators Photograph Collection consists of reproduction black-and-white photographic prints and negatives that Donna Andress compiled. The majority of the images are portraits of educators in Southern Nevada, primarily educators who have schools in Clark County, Nevada named after them. Other portraits depict prominent Las Vegas citizens, including Leva and William Beckley.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Noblitt conducted by Mary Sawdey on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Noblitt discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and building housing in the southern part of town. Noblitt goes on to discuss communication through railroad and morse code. Lastly, Noblitt discusses the above ground atomic tests.
Archival Collection
The Nick Pratto Photograph Collection contains black-and-white photographic prints and negatives of Las Vegas, Nevada between approximately 1930 and 1950. The collection includes images of the 1940 and 1945 Helldorado parade, James Cashman Sr.'s Desert Love Buggy, and views of Gilmore Gas Station located at Fifth Street and Bonneville Avenue in 1934.
Archival Collection
The Ned V. Bearden Sr. Photograph Collection contains black-and-white photographic prints and negatives of early Las Vegas, Nevada Fremont Street hotels, casinos, as well as Las Vegas businesses and residences between approximately 1940 to 1960. These photographs detail air conditioning units installations by Bearden throughout Las Vegas.
Archival Collection