An oral history statement conducted by herself. Lucile Whitehead Bunker (b. 1907 in Overton, Nevada), at the request of Doreen Day, provides an oral history statement about her experiences growing up and living in Southern Nevada. Bunker recalls her first experiences in Las Vegas and Overton and talks about her family, specifically about her mother, an ice cream maker, and father, the first assessor of Clark County. She then speaks about her various positions, including being a secretary at a school and law firm, a schoolteacher, and a deputy county clerk. She also describes her experiences as the wife of former Senator Berkeley Bunker, particularly living in Washington, D.C. where she met several presidents and attended several events with other lawmakers’ wives. Bunker additionally talks about her missionary work in her church and the various locations to which she travelled. She concludes the statement by talking about her interests in china painting, the early above-ground atomic testing, and the building of Hoover Dam.
Eric Henninger interviews Detective Ronald Bananto at his home on March 15, 1981. Born in Coal Run, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bananto moved to Pioche, Nevada in 1949. A year later, and after a short period in San Francisco, California, Bananto relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950. Bananto discusses police work, and life in Pioche, Nevada.
Kate Hausbeck Korgan was raised and educated in Buffalo, New York. In 1995, after receiving her doctorate in sociology from University of Buffalo, her job search brought her to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It was a great fit and she tells of falling in love with the school, the city, and the John S Park Neighborhood. Kate retells the story of the house where she and her family reside. It's original owners were the Gambles who built the house in 1936. It was the second house built in the neighborhood and is the only inhabited adobe house in the city. The house is located on the fringe of John S. Park Neighborhood, about a block off the Strip. Though the location creates traffic that she doesn't like, it is not enough to cause her to move. She describes the newer generation of residents and the changes as the number of school aged children increased. Kate's perspective includes what she describes as the ebb and flow of the community, the beginning of First Fridays, the
On March 1, 1979, collector Steven Cohen interviewed school administrator, Don Hayden (born in Ogden, Utah) in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview offers a historical overview of the education system in Nevada. Don also discusses gambling, the early atomic tests, the first hospitals built in Las Vegas, and offers his own personal account on home and family life in Nevada.
On March 27, 1977, collector Jeff Crampton interviewed accountant, Ruth E. Hazard (born June 25th, 1907 in Marshall, Michigan) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The interview takes place at the collector’s home and offers an overview of life in early Las Vegas from 1931 to 1977. The interview concludes with a discussion on local atomic testing.
On February 7, 1977, collector Enrico Messina interviewed Edith Leavitt (born April 12th, 1924, in St. George, Utah) at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview, Mrs. Leavitt talks about teaching in Southern Nevada, including in the Virgin Valley and in Las Vegas. She also discusses the changing education system in Southern Nevada during her time as an educator.