Oral history interview with Carolyn G. and Oscar B. Goodman conducted by Claytee D. White on October 18, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Carolyn G. and Oscar B. Goodman discuss their early childhoods and education. They tell the story of their marriage, family life, and careers. The Goodmans go into further detail on the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada as a community as well as a tourist destination.
Brad Friedmutter is the architect behind a number of Steve Wynn’s prominent casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey. He obtained his degree in architecture in 1973 from the Cooper Union School of Architecture in lower Manhattan and worked on a number of smaller projects before connecting with Steve Wynn. After meeting the famous Vegas tycoon, Friedmutter built a number of well-known casinos, like the Golden Nugget and the Mirage. In this interview, he discusses the development of his numerous projects, explains his process for starting and completing architectural projects, and the future of urban planning and casino design.
On March 3, 1980, Wanda Cortés interviewed University of Nevada, Las Vegas counselor, Ann K. Johnson (born August 28th, 1954 in Garland, Arkansas) about her life in Southern Nevada. The two discuss Johnson’s educational and occupational history. The interview concludes with a discussion on the population’s rapid growth during the seventies.
On March 18, 1978, Susan Scott interviewed Thalia Dondero (born 1921 in Greeley, Colorado) about her experiences in Nevada and more specifically about her work as a Clark County Commissioner. Dondero first speaks about her background and the circumstances which led her to move to Las Vegas. She also talks about her children, her work with the Parent-Teacher Association, and her service with the Nevada State Park Commission. She also mentions some of her lobbying work for the development of state parks, including a project by National Geographic in which she visited multiple parks, and she later describes the development of the Las Vegas Strip. At the end of the interview, Dondero talks about her involvement in various organizations, her consideration for running for governor, and some of the topics she handles as a commissioner for the county.
On March 4, 1980, collector Denise Wolff interviewed truck driver and teacher, William E. “Bilbo” Helms (born on December 7th, 1932 in Memphis, Tennessee) in an office room at Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the transformation, growth, and development of the public education system in Las Vegas, Nevada.
On January 8, 1975, collector James M. Greene interviewed John D. Gieck (born January 1st, 1902 in Belle, Missouri) at his home in Boulder City, Nevada. In this interview Mr. Gieck discusses his various career changes throughout his life, including the building of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). He also discusses living in Boulder City from its beginnings as a town.