Oral history interview with Wayne Rowe conducted by Claytee D. White on November 10, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Rowe discusses his early life and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his employment at Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino as a utility porter and joining the United States Army in 1966. Later, Rowe recalls going through the citizenship process, working as a bellman at Bally’s, and the opening of MGM Grand Hotel in 1973. Lastly, Rowe discusses Las Vegas nightlife and the development of the Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Judith Harrell conducted by Lois Goodall on November 19, 2013 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Harrell discusses growing up in Fitzgerald, Georgia, later moving to Houston, Texas, and her high school experience in Houston. She describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961, attending Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas), and teaching at E.W. Griffith Elementary School. Lastly, Harrell recalls moving to the Westside of Las Vegas, teaching at Paradise Elementary School, and recreational activities she participated in.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Carolyn MacMullen conducted by Su Kim Chung on April 21, 2014 and July 07, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In these interviews, MacMullen discusses being a dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sands, Desert Inn, and Sahara throughout the 1950s. She recalls working as a dresser and describes what it is like to be backstage during a show production. MacMullen then talks about changes in showgirl costumes, the Texas Copa Girls, and her decision to stop dancing. Lastly, MacMullen discusses living in the West Charleston area and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oneil Madden conducted by Yasmine Shahar and Taylor Burk on March 31, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Madden discusses his upbringing in Montreal, Canada. He talks about his religious family background, being involved in church activities, and his involvement with church youth programs. Madden describes food banks organized by the churches, tutoring services for children, and explains the significance of the Sabbath. Lastly, Madden discusses his role as pastor of Abundant Life Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gloria Hewitt conducted by Claytee D. White on June 21, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Hewitt discusses her early life in Cleveland, Ohio. She recalls attending Talladega College in Alabama, her teaching experience in Chicago, Illinois, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1991. Hewitt talks about her interests in politics, organizing an event to register people to vote, and being a founding member of the Southern Nevada Coalition of Concerned Women (SNCCW). Lastly, Hewitt discusses the importance of education and parental involvement in schools.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Curtis Myles conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 16, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Myles discusses his childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside. He recalls his employment at McCarran International Airport, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), and later the Las Vegas Monorail. Lastly, Myles talks about corporate gaming mergers as they apply to monorail transit in Las Vegas, and speaks to the future of monorail transport relative to the airport, Maryland Parkway, and Downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Timothy Cashman conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 10, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cashman discusses his family background and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his family’s car dealership business, the Helldorado Parade, and the establishment of Cashman Field. Cashman remembers purchasing his father’s franchise for Cadillac, buying a Harley Davidson dealership, and his decision to leave the car sales industry. Lastly, Cashman discusses professional sports in Las Vegas, and the importance of community oriented businesses.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Plaster conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 21, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Plaster discusses his early life in Santa Monica, California, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. He recalls his early interests in real estate, forming his company Signature Homes, and the first home building projects he was involved in. Lastly, Plaster describes land acquisition during the late 1970s, building mass housing, and his role as President of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (SNHBA).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lon Bronson conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 23, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bronson discusses his early life in Keene, New Hampshire, and his initial interest in music. Bronson talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1985, the musical scene in the city at the time, and the musician’s union strike of 1989. He describes when casino shows switched from live musicians to prerecorded music, and the shortage of jobs for musicians after that decision. Lastly, Bronson discusses the current entertainment scene in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jolie Brislin conducted by Barbara Tabach on April 21, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Brislin discusses her family background and upbringing in Redwood City, California. She remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1991, her involvement in the Jewish community, and going on a trip to Israel. Brislin talks about joining the Anti-Defamation League, becoming the Regional Director of the organization in 2015, and her mentors at the time. Lastly, Brislin discusses the rise of hate acts towards minority groups across the country, and the issue of cyber-bullying.
Archival Collection
