Oral history interviews with Virginia James conducted by Claytee D. White on various dates in October and November 2004, and March and July 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, James describes her experiences as a dancer with the Texas Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel and Casino, and with the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Kopczak conducted by Claytee D. White on September 04, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kopczak begins the interview by discussing his family history and personal history in the United States Air Force before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife in the 1980s. He then describes his career working for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a storekeeper for Lied Library, explaining his job duties and how the university has changed since he began working there. Lastly, Kopczak also talks about various library employees and administrators he has worked with, and life in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jinetta Daniels conducted by Rani Dunn on November 30, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Daniels talks about her upbringing in Mississippi and traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada by bus in 1962. She continues discussing her work as a maid at the Dunes Hotel, her membership in the Victory Baptist Church, and comments on various church and community leaders in the Westside. She also mentions her concerns about the closure of F Street in 2008 and her hopes for the revitalization of the Westside community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Kine conducted by Eileen Reedy on February 14, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kine discusses Boulder City, Nevada and the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Wittwer conducted by Perry Kaufman on May 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kaufman discusses living in Santa Clara, Utah and describes families from Switzerland migrating there as converts to the Latter-Day Saints Church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Laughlin conducted by A. D. Hopkins on June 13, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview, Laughlin discusses his early life in Minnesota, his start in gambling, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952. Laughlin describes how he started his business including the process of obtaining licenses and buying property. Lastly, Laughlin talks about gaming competition in Arizona, his children, and his business' expansion.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oscar Schwartz conducted by Claytee D. White on January 25, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Schwartz discusses his personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1980s. Schwartz describes being a casino dealer before becoming a comedy magician and the transition of ownership of casinos from organized crime to corporations. He talks about his career in property and real estate appraisal in Las Vegas and the methods he would use to determine the value of different possessions and estates. Schwartz also discusses his opinion on the spending of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on a new stadium, the development east of Fremont Street, and casinos wanting to build Ferris wheels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ellis Rice conducted by Claytee D. White on April 09, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rice discusses his personal history and growing up in St. Louis, Missouri during the 1960s. He describes his experiences attending Webster College in 1975 and talks about the increase of African American students at the time. Rice recalls starting his first company, African People Art Continuum (APAC) to help connect the arts and with the community. Later, he discusses the theater companies he was involved with, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1991, and working with the West Las Vegas community to hold theater performances. Lastly, Rice talks about the music he writes and how it connects to his life story.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dominic Clark conducted by Larry Hutchinson on October 09, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Clark briefly discusses his church activity, his political activity, and some geographic and social changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with DeeDee Jasmin conducted by Claytee White on March 19, 1998 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Jasmin opens the interview discussing her life growing up on the Westside of Los Angeles, California. Jasmin goes on to discuss her pursuit of a dance career as a youth. Jasmin got her first big break playing in the comedy musical Sugar Hill and after her high school years she starred in movies before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955. Jasmin describes her excitement meeting East Coast dancers during her stay in Las Vegas. Jasmin also discusses her interactions with the many famous actors, dancers, singers, and musicians she met during her career.
Archival Collection