Oral history interview with Bonita Coleman conducted by Claytee D. White on February 22, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Coleman discusses her early life in St. Joseph, Louisiana. She shares her experiences helping to raise her 8 siblings while her mother worked to support her family. Coleman briefly discusses the historical race relations of St. Joseph in the 1950s and 1960s from her own experiences growing up. In 1968, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, joining her aunt and sister who had moved here in 1960. Coleman recalls the start of her career in the hospitality industry, and shares what she remembers of her family members' jobs since they all worked in the industry as well.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elaine Galatz conducted by Barbara Tabach on April 22, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Galatz discusses her work as a past Jewish Federation president, her marriage to renowned attorney Neil Galatz, and her career as an accomplished horsewoman.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Ellsworth conducted by Jane Ellsworth Olive on March 22, 1977, December 26, 1980, December 28, 1981, and August 06, 1987 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the span of four interviews, Ellsworth discusses her family’s history, the growth of Henderson, Nevada, working at the Basic Magnesium Plant, and life during World War II. She also talks about war bond drives, the Oakey Theaters, Nevada Chamber of Commerce, "western" clothes, and hotels like the Flamingo Hotel and the Riviera Hotel. She then describes visiting places like Canada, Salt Lake City, Utah, Washington, D. C., and San Francisco, California.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Diana Saunders conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on May 23, 1996, conducted by Brigid Kelly on July 22, 2002, and conducted by Joanna Goodwin on August 12, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In her interviews Saunders discusses her dance career in New York City, New York. Saunders discusses working on Broadway and touring internationally in Europe and Australia as a dancer. Saunders discusses working at the Dunes in Las Vegas, Nevada and her experiences as a dancer in Las Vegas. Saunders also talks about the lengths dancers had to go through to be successful.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Lee Tilman conducted by Dennis McBride on February 06, 11, 13, 17, and 22; May 28; and July 09, 1996 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In the interviews, Tilman discusses his birth in Gooding, Idaho in 1913, his early life, and his arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931. Tilman then talks about his experiences mining, milling, and ranching before moving to Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, Tilman was involved with construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and labor issues. Later, Tilman describes fishing and boating in the Colorado River, working at a duplex mine in Searchlight, Nevada, and working at the Las Vegas Ice House. Lastly, Tilman talks about influential Boulder City residents he knew, his children, and the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with J. K. Russ conducted by Claytee D. White on December 22, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Russ discusses her early life in New Zealand and growing up on a tobacco farm. She remembers arriving to the United States and establishing a career as an artist. Russ talks about the 1 October shooting, creating an art exhibit using cards and letters received from people all over the world, and Las Vegas’ response to the tragedy. Lastly, Russ describes the art community in Las Vegas and the Arts District.
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Oral history interview with Natalie Wolf conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 22, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Wolf shares stories of operating the Greyhound bus station, a three-year ownership of Commercial Deli, and her long career working collections for the casino industry. She discusses working for Tropicana Hotel and Casino, and MGM Properties, including the Mirage Hotel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fred Anderson conducted by Cortez Corley on April 22, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Anderson discusses his history of living in Ely, Nevada. Anderson primarily discusses his experiences as a miner working for the Kennecott Copper Corporation. He also mentions his experiences with unions, atomic testing, and the growth of Nevada in general.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Stella Champo Iaconis conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on July 22, 1981 and July 23, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Iaconis discusses her personal history and family background. Iaconis also recalls moving from Sparks, Nevada to Las Vegas, Nevada and provides a recollection of the city. Iaconis then discusses Block 16 and the increase of women working in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection