Oral history interview with Roy D. Baker conducted by Dennis McBride February 08, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Baker discusses Fred Schoonmaker, a Reno, Nevada gay activist and his husband, Alfred Parkinson. Baker details their efforts to create Stonewall Park, a town for LGBTQ members in Nevada that was never realized. Schoonmaker attempted to establish Stonewall Park three times in three different locations: Silver Springs, Nevada; Rhyolite, Nevada; and Thunder Mountain, Nevada. Baker talks about his personal relationship with Schoonmaker, his opinion on Stonewall Park, and legal issues that Schoonmaker faced during the development of the town. Baker describes opposition from local residents against Stonewall Park and Schoonmaker's health after being diagnosed with HIV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lawrence Hawley conducted by Andy Sturgeon on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss how Hawley first came to Nevada, as well as his personal family history. Hawley describes Hoover Dam as it was being built, the effects of the Depression on Nevada, and how Las Vegas has grown in size. Hawley also discusses liquor laws and how practicing law has changed since he first moved to Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen M. Baucum conducted by William Marshall on February 28, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Baucum discusses her life as a local Nevadan. The interview covers Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Henderson, Nevada.Baucum also discusses her family history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sarah Serna conducted by Dennis McBride on December 04, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. Serna opens her interview by discussing her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993, and her first assignment as a Methodist minister to a small congregation in North Las Vegas. Serna then explains how she became involved in LGBT social justice issues after witnessing expressions of homophobia and prejudice within her church. She discusses her involvement with the Las Vegas LGBT community and the development of a pastoral care outreach program, the development of the World AIDS Day prayer vigil, and the foundation of the Community Counseling Center, later renamed Lighthouse Ministry. Serna then talks about her decision to transition from the Methodist Church to the Episcopalian Church and becoming the first Episcopalian priest in Las Vegas to bless same-sex marriages. She also discusses the development of a transitional housing program, changes in the LGBT community in Las Vegas, and many individuals involved in LGBT social justice programs in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ivan S. Larkin conducted by Mary Anne French on April 05, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Larkin discusses moving from Utah with his wife to Nevada to start a family together. Larkin talks about living in Las Vegas, Nevada and his career as a plumber.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Ludwick conducted by Jeanette Napoliello on March 30, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ludwick discusses her personal history since arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. Ludwick then discusses the different shows that she attended and the type of atmosphere inside casinos at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elizabeth Kelly conducted by Jeff DeLoca on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kelly discusses arriving to Southern Nevada from Scotland in the 1920’s. Kelly also talks about early life in Las Vegas, Nevada and the growth of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wilma Freemyer conducted by Suzanne Haag on February 22, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Freemyer discusses early Las Vegas, Nevada’s history during the 1930's and the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charis Robbins conducted by Steven J. Syzdek on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Robbins describes her early life living in various towns in California during the early 1900s, namely Silver Peak, California, before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Forrest Woodward conducted by Laurie Mearns on February 23, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Woodward discusses arriving to Southern Nevada, its history, and sports.
Archival Collection