Oral history interviews with Eddie Eliscu conducted by Arnold Shaw between approximately 1986-1987 for the Arnold Shaw Oral History Project on Las Vegas Entertainers. In these interviews, Eliscu reflects upon his career in entertainment, from serving as a social director at Camp Copake, New York to songwriting for stage and film. He describes his upbringing in a non-musical family, his first performances, and the more prominent professional developments of his career.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Courtney Mooney conducted by Suzanne Becker on July 30, 2007 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Mooney describes her work as the urban design coordinator for Las Vegas, Nevada. Mooney also discusses the past, present, and future of the John S. Park neighborhood.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Michael Chin conducted by Jerwin Tiu, Cecilia Winchell, and Stefani Evans on December 20, 2022 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Chin describes growing up in a largely Americanized household. His paternal grandparents immigrated from China and owned a laundry shop that his father worked in as well. Chin discusses his education and his interest in creative writing, including editing the school newspaper and writing an a cappella blog with his friend while in college. After graduating, he worked at the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as a resident assistant before getting into a graduate program and obtaining his MFA.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Pradia conducted by Claytee D. White on July 13, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Pradia discusses living in Cameron, Louisiana and the natural disasters that he experienced. Pradia recalls joining the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Southern University (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) and later receiving a commission to the United States Army. He describes race-relations in the military during the early 1960s and his employment for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Lastly, Pradia discusses African American golfers and teaching golf professionally in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Houghton Peterson conducted by Claytee D. White on May 20, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Peterson discusses playing the trombone in the United States Air Force jazz band, “Airmen of Note.” He also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 and playing the trombone in various shows.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Augusta Massey conducted by Steve Hayes on November 14, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Massey discusses her early life in Nigeria, moving to Memphis, Tennessee, and then relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008. She talks about her educational experience in Memphis and compares social life in the South and the West. Massey describes her career in law, working in various law firms in Las Vegas, and starting mentoring programs for new attorneys. Lastly, Massey discusses the importance of scholarships for students in law school, her involvement with the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association (LVNBA), and why it is important for lawyers to be active in the LVNBA.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jessica Guiao conducted by Grecia Lopez on November 22, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Guiao recalls her childhood in Hayward, California, and being raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls not liking the climate of Nevada at first, and describes the friends she has made throughout her time in the city and the identity she has developed. Guiao discusses some of the pressures and stereotypes surrounding Asian Americans, such as what career path they should pursue or the aversion to embracing subcultures, and how she has consolidated her rebellion into her own identity. Throughout the interview, Guiao touches on other topics such as Filipino food, the long-standing history between Mexican and Filipino communities, Catholicism, goth culture, and anti-Asian hate and racism that she and her family has faced.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Brooks conducted by Jeff Kennedy on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske ORal History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview Brooks discusses gaming, education, the early above-ground atomic blasts, the Boulder Dam, and social and environmental changes in Nevada. Brooks also discusses the Old Ranch, economic changes, religion, politics, family life, the Navy, sports, the railroad, Fremont Street, and the hotels on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marlin Robison conducted by Joni Larsen on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Robison discusses his parents moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1900s. Robison later discusses his career at Clark County Juvenile Court Services. Lastly, Robison discusses changes throughout the city.
Archival Collection