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Max Velasquez oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01875

Abstract

Oral history interview with Max Velasquez conducted by Janice F. Hurtubise on March 08, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Velasquez discusses his personal history as a construction worker in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes the construction projects he worked on and the differences between 1950s construction and construction at the current time. Velasquez goes on to discuss the government regulations workers had to follow, how water pipelines were laid, and the types of equipment used in construction. Lastly, Velasquez talks about the bidding process for contractors and environmental changes in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Stan Irwin oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02437

Abstract

Oral history interview with Stan Irwin conducted by Cork Proctor on August 24, 2003 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Irwin talks about his early life performing comedy in nightclubs, hotels, and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, writing comedic material, his military service, starting a family, and racism in the Las vegas entertainment industry in the 1950s and 1960s. He also discusses his work as vice-president and executive producer for Sahara Nevada Corporation, bringing The Beatles to Las Vegas, Nevada when all other hotels refused to do so, and the band's appearance at the Las Vegas Convention Center. He continues talking about being a comedian, actor, and special materials writer and his life since retirement.

Archival Collection

Frank Suda oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01894

Abstract

Oral history interview with Frank Suda conducted by Eileen Green on March 03, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Suda describes life in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942, where he was sent for military training during World War II. He discusses the history of the Las Vegas Flexible Gunnery School which was located in what became Indian Springs, Nevada, and the establishment of Nellis Air Force Base. He talks about recreational activities in Las Vegas, including listing different entertainers and casinos that were present at the time.

Archival Collection

Elbert Edwards oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00522

Abstract

Oral history interview with Elbert Edwards conducted by Layne Covington on October 16, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Edwards first talks about his family background before talking about what it was like to live in Panaca, Nevada. Edwards later talks about his wife’s and his political involvement, and his involvement in education. He then discusses Hoover (Boulder) Dam, his job as a registrar in the Selective Service, and the effects that the World War II years had on Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Helen Yu oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03834

Abstract

Oral history interview with Helen Yu conducted by Andrew Yu on December 1, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.

Helen Yu discusses her upbringing in Seoul, South Korea, her grandfather's immigration to the United States in the late 1970s, and her family's decision to follow him to Portland, Oregon in 1984. She shares her family's history and their experiences during the Korean War, including what life was like both in North and South Korea at that time. Helen Yu discusses her undergraduate education at the University of Oregon studying graphic design and her graduate education at Ewha Womans University College of Art and Design in South Korea. She shares her thoughts having both a Korean American and Asian American identity, her marriage and two wedding ceremonies to her Korean husband, and her family's move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001. Helen Yu concludes with a discussion of her event planning work which led to her current role as the Operations Manager at the Emerald at Queensridge in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Harvey Munford oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02439

Abstract

Oral history interview with Harvey Munford conducted by Claytee D. White on August 21, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Munford begins by discussing his career as a Nevada State Assemblyman and the Nevada legislative process. He then describes his early history, detailing his college education and athletic career as a basketball player for the University of Akron and later at Montana State University Billings. Munford also describes the discrimination he faced as an African American throughout his life particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1966, and his thirty-eight year career as a teacher in the Clark County School District.

Archival Collection

Albert Datke oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00346

Abstract

Oral history interview with Albert Datke conducted by Joe Toscano on Octocber 2, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. He discusses atomic testing, economic and environmental changes, and getting to shake hands with President Eisenhower when he visited Las Vegas, Nevada. A Mormon and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mr. Datke discussed having an active church and religious life, including serving as financial clerk and historian clerk for the church.

Archival Collection

Robert Bolden oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02201

Abstract

Oral history interview with Robert Bolden conducted by Nick Matthews on November 29, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Bolden discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his educational experience in Las Vegas, taking the bus to school while living in West Las Vegas, being involved in school sports, and describes the first schools to open on the Westside. Bolden then recalls racial disparities in Las Vegas, African American leaders in his community, and the importance that his education had to him. Lastly, Bolden discusses his career coaching for his track club, Las Vegas Blazin One’z.

Archival Collection

Lucille Down oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00486

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lucille Down conducted by James Down on February 21, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Down discusses the lives of Union Pacific Railroad workers, and her first job, which was at the Southern Nevada Telephone Company. She also discusses recollections on the social, recreational, religious, and economic changes that contributed to the development of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

James Prather oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01506

Abstract

Oral history interview with James Prather conducted by Bruce Finkelstein on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Prather discusses his childhood and personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prather discusses his education, recreational activities he did as a child, and how Las Vegas has changed. Prather describes the swampy marshlands he used to play in near Las Vegas, viewing nuclear weapons tests and the nuclear fallout safety drills they would perform in school, and witnessing a plane crash in the North Las Vegas, Nevada area. Prather also discusses the arrival of Howard Hughes in Las Vegas and the effect he had on the city.

Archival Collection