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Lubertha Johnson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00955

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lubertha Johnson conducted by Larry Buckner on February 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Lubertha Johnson discusses her family background, work experience, civic activity, and philosophy. She talks about discrimination in the workplace for Black people, segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada, and her forty year membership in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples (NAACP). She also discusses the historic Westside neighborhood and its schools, the prejudice Black performers faced in the 1950s and 1960s, and how she feels disappointed in President Jimmy Carter.

Archival Collection

Willard Booth oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02186

Abstract

Oral history interview with Willard Booth conducted by Larmaya Kilgore on November 14, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Booth discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956. He describes his employment at the Sands Hotel and Casino and later at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino. Booth then talks about segregation issues for African Americans working on the Las Vegas Strip. Later, Booth discusses his involvement with the Second Baptist Church and describes the work he would do for the church. Lastly, Booth describes West Las Vegas and entertainers who would perform at the Carver House, the Moulin Rouge, and the Town Tavern.

Archival Collection

David Yancy oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03882

Abstract

Oral history interview with David Yancy conducted by Claytee D. White on September 19, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Yancy recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his parents in 1963, living on the Westside, and many of the businesses within the area's commerce and entertainment corridor. He attended Rancho High School, and went to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). After graduation, Yancy worked in insurance and then became the auditor for the State of Arkansas. In 1976, he returned to Las Vegas and worked thirty-one years for the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), and he recalls laying out the grids and designing the bus routes for Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Cora Williams oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01987

Abstract

Oral history interview with Cora Williams conducted by Kathlyn Wilson on March 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cora Williams discusses arriving in Las Vegas in 1952. She talks about working as a hotel maid and later owning a beauty shop. Williams also discusses the NAACP and housing discrimination.

Archival Collection

Sammie Armstrong oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03152

Abstract

Oral history interview with Sammie Armstrong conducted by Claytee D. White on March 08, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Armstrong discusses his early life in Camden, Arkansas and growing up working on a farm. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963, and describes the Westside at that time. Armstrong talks about the businesses on Jackson Street, churches on the Westside, and integration in Las Vegas. Later, Armstrong discusses co-founding a transportation business in the early 1980s, Ray & Ross Transport, and providing transportation for Nevada Test Site employees. Lastly, Armstrong talks about growing his business into one of the largest bus companies in Nevada.

Archival Collection

Nathan Harper oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03869

Abstract

Oral history with Nathan Harper conducted by Claytee D. White on July 29, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Harper describes his childhood and growing up in Wichita, Kansas and how those early days shaped his belief system today. After discussing his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Cyprus, Harper discusses his role, beginning in 2007, as Archaeologist for the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about unearthing the history of John Howell, the first Black man in Las Vegas who claimed land near what is now Springs Preserve. He also talks about relocating railroad cottages to the Preserve, restoring, and even decorating the buildings. He talks about the history of early Las Vegas and the area's water supply throughout the interview.

Archival Collection

Virginia Houser oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00894

Abstract

Oral history interview with Virginia Houser conducted by Karen Reed on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Houser discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954 and the developments and changes that she has observed in the city. Houser also discusses the entertainment that Las Vegas, Nevada offered at the time, and surrounding areas, including Lake Mead and Mount Charleston, Nevada. Houser then discusses some of the first casinos that opened on the Las Vegas Strip and on Fremont Street.

Archival Collection

Albert Datke oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00346

Abstract

Oral history interview with Albert Datke conducted by Joe Toscano on Octocber 2, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. He discusses atomic testing, economic and environmental changes, and getting to shake hands with President Eisenhower when he visited Las Vegas, Nevada. A Mormon and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mr. Datke discussed having an active church and religious life, including serving as financial clerk and historian clerk for the church.

Archival Collection

Harold Bradford oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-03178

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Harold Bradford conducted by Claytee D. White, Camille Morris, Anna Frederick, and Remy Chwae on April 24, 2017 and June 10, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Bradford discusses his early life in New Orleans, Louisiana. He recalls going through a segregated school system, and his experience with integration. Bradford remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1985, his employment for the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO), and becoming an art director for YESCO. In the second interview, Bradford discusses his initial interest in neon signs, and his work ethic as a visual artist.

Archival Collection

Junior Craig oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00444

Abstract

Oral history interview with Junior Craig conducted by Donald E. Bodkin on February 15, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Craig discusses bringing trucks in from Los Angeles, California to work on the building of the Davis Dam. Craig recalls being an active member of the member of the civil defense in Clark County, Nevada.

Archival Collection