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Eular Lunsford oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01162

Abstract

Oral history interview with Eular Lunsford conducted by Mark J. Lestelle on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lunsford describes his work experiences and life in Henderson, Nevada after moving there on September 09, 1951. Lunsford held various jobs, including serving as a magnesium plant firefighter, baker, and taxi cab driver.

Archival Collection

Transcript of an interview with Kenneth Fong by Lois Goodall on February 22, 2014

Date

2014-02-22

Description

Kenneth Fong reflects on growing up in Las Vegas and being the son of two successful and philanthropic community members, Wing and Lilly Fong. When Ken was born the family live in a modest home on 20th and Stewart. It was a close-knit neighborhood and era, kids played tag and roamed freely. When he entered third-grade, his parents moved their family to a newer subdivision near Rancho and West Charleston Avenue: the Scotch 80s. Their new custom home on Silver Avenue reflected Asian architecture and the family’s Chinese cultural heritage; it also included a pool and a small basketball court. Memories of the neighborhoods are distinct. He learned to be comfortable with his sister and he being the only Asian Americans in school at the time. He kept busy with community volunteering at Sunrise Hospital and tutoring younger children on the Westside among other high school activities. Ken speaks lovingly of his parents and their achievements, family outings to local venues such as Mount Charleston and Red Rock and to California, where they bought Chinese baked goods. His mother, Lilly was born into a large Chinese American family of ten children, each of whom achieved a college education. After her marriage to Wing, she moved to Las Vegas with plans to work as a teacher. Ken retells the story of her encounter with discrimination and overcoming that, and her trajectory to be the first Asian American elected the Nevada Board of Regents. His orphaned father, Wing, immigrated to the United Sates in 1939 to live with uncles. They worked as cooks in Las Vegas and established the first Las Vegas Chinese restaurant, Silver Café. Wing was merely thirteen years old and spoke no English. These were not to be obstacles. He would go on to graduate from Las Vegas High School, earn a college degree in business, have a successful career in commercial real estate and banking, building the notable Fong’s Garden. Ken calls his father his most influential mentor. Today Ken is also a successful in real estate management, active at Grace Presbyterian Church, involved in Rotary Club, and a proud father of two daughters.

Text

Betty West oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01952

Abstract

Oral history interview with Betty West conducted by Claytee D. White on May 10, 2008 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, West discusses growing up in Blue Diamond, Nevada. She describes the work her father, Mark West, did at the mines and recalls the Village where mine workers and their families lived in the 1950s. West discusses her employment at the Sahara Hotel in the 1960s as a slot girl and later as a cocktail waitress. Lastly, West talks about the changes in Blue Diamond, and eventually moving to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Robert N. Broadbent oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00255

Abstract

Oral history interview with Robert N. Broadbent conducted by Seneca Eugene Anderson on March 01, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Broadbent, the first mayor of Boulder City, Nevada discusses origination, government, and changes in Boulder City.

Archival Collection

Elinor Horden oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00886

Abstract

Oral history interview with Elinor Horden conducted by Valerie Fujii on February 13, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Horden discusses local entertainment in the 1950s, as well as the social and environmental changes that have occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Paul A. Beach oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00170

Abstract

Oral history interview with Paul A. Beach conducted by William Gekakis on February 17, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, Beach discusses housing, physical boundaries of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, the airport, church, and transportation. Beach also discusses tourist recreation, the economy, Nellis Air Force Base, the Las Vegas Strip, industries, presidential visits, the Korean War, atomic tests, and the educational system.

Archival Collection

Elissa Miller oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01296

Abstract

Oral history interview with Elissa Miller conducted by Frank D. Fusco on March 03, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Miller discusses her family and personal history. Miller begins by discussing her parents' immigration to the United States from Czechoslovakia and Peru respectively. She goes on to discuss her numerous travels with her husband, and their eventual settlement in Virgina City, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Lee H. Lisby oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01128

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lee H. Lisby conducted by Glen E. Davis on July 10, 1975; Rita O'Brien on April 10, 1978; and Elizabeth Patrick on May 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In 1942, Lisby moved from Tallulah, Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada. Lisby talks about living conditions and work opportunities for African-Americans in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Erick Spiess oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01745

Abstract

Oral history interview with Erick Spiess conducted by Thomas Barr on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Spiess discusses his personal history and how he came to Las Vegas, Nevada. Spiess describes how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed, construction projects he has worked on, and his interest in inventing. Spiess also discusses his career as the electrical inspector at the Nevada Test Site, how and why the nuclear tests were conducted, and the commercial applications of the tests. He goes on to talk about radiation and the effects of nuclear fallout.

Archival Collection

Dick A. Richards oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01562

Abstract

Oral history interview with Richard "Dick" Richards conducted by his son, Rick Richards, on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Richards describes his own personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Most notably, Richards describes his time working as a dealer in casinos owned by the mob and his interactions with individuals involved with organized crime.

Archival Collection