Oral history interview with C. D. Williams conducted by Edwin R. Smith on July 07, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Williams discusses his career as a firefighter in Las Vegas, Nevada and the history of the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department. He describes his early history, moving to Las Vegas in 1942, and how he obtained his position in the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department. Williams also describes his training, the equipment they utilized, and how that equipment, as well as the fire department itself, has changed over time. He tells anecdotes of calls and his experiences in the department. Williams explains how the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant and Nellis Air Force Base affected the fire department. He talks about how and why the Clark County Fire Department and North Las Vegas Fire Department were established, and how Las Vegas casinos paid the city for fire protection. Lastly, Williams discusses being drafted during World War II and his service as a military fire fighter.
Archival Collection
Las Vegas Review-Journal article featuring Karen Walker, co-owner of Hamburger Heaven with her mother Helen Anderson.
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Sentinel-Voice feature article describes Karen Walker (aka Knee-C) and her family ownership of Hamburger Heaven.
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Color photograph of (left to right) Eugene Campbell, Jr, Deputy Fire Chief; Bertral Washington, Assistant Fire chief; David Washington, Fire Chief; Jon Stevenson, Batallion Chief. They pose near the "Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas Nevada" sign and a fire and rescue truck. Handwritten on the back in pen: "L + R Eugene Campbell, Jr, Deputy Fire Chief; Bertral Washington, Assistant Fire Chief; David L. Washington, Fire Chief; Jon Stevenson, Battalion Chief. Dave was blessed to have been able to promoted [sic] these three black chief officers during his tenure."
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The Las Vegas African American Community Conversations is a four part, one hour round table conversation with local Las Vegans. They share their powerful stories and great history, with topics ranging from “Migration, Civil Rights, Education, Church, Entertainment and the Early Legal Community”. Part One: A conversation about “Early Migration, Work and Community Emergence”. MODERATOR- Trish Geran ( Author/Community Activist) PANELISTS- Lucille Bryant (Community Activist) Jackie Brantley (Former Director-Office of Governor Kenny Guinn) Hannah Brown (Urban Chamber of Commerce) David L. Washington (1st Black Chief of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department) Brenda J. Williams (President-Westside School Alumni Foundation)
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The Las Vegas African American Community Conversations is a four part, one hour round table conversation with local Las Vegans. They share their powerful stories and great history, with topics ranging from “Migration, Civil Rights, Education, Church, Entertainment and the Early Legal Community”. Part Two: A conversation about “Education, Economy and Integration” MODERATOR- Sonya Horsford Ed.D. PANELISTS- Dr. Esther Langston (Professor UNLV) Verlia Davis-Hoggard (Director of Clark County Social Services-Retired) Idan M. Gaines (Regional Representative for Senator Harry Reid) Dr. Linda Young (President-CCSD Board of Trustees)
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The Las Vegas African American Community Conversations is a four part, one hour round table conversation with local Las Vegans. They share their powerful stories and great history, with topics ranging from “Migration, Civil Rights, Education, Church, Entertainment and the Early Legal Community”. Part Three: A conversation about ” Civil Rights and Entertainment” MODERATOR- Claytee D. White (Director-Oral History Research Center) PANELISTS- Lonnie G Wright (College Professor/Business Owner) LaVerne C. Ligon (Director- Simba Talent Development Center Inc.) Walter Mason (Director-IRA Aldridge Theater) Leonard Pock Jr. (Retired Stagehand) B.J. Thomas (Retired Stagehand)
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The Las Vegas African American Community Conversations is a four part, one hour round table conversation with local Las Vegans. They share their powerful stories and great history, with topics ranging from “Migration, Civil Rights, Education, Church, Entertainment and the Early Legal Community”. Part Four: A conversation about “ Early African American Legal Community” MODERATOR- Rachel Anderson (Professor-UNLV Boyd School of Law) PANELISTS- Michael L. Douglas (Justice-Supreme Court of Nevada) Karen Bennett (Justice- Las Vegas Justice Court) Booker Evans (Greenberg Traurig, LLP) John R. Bailey ( Attorney/Managing Partner Bailey Kennedy) Timothy C. Williams (Justice-District Court)
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