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Calvin Shields oral history interview
Oral history interview with Calvin Shields conducted by Claytee D. White on May 07, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Shields begins by discussing his upbringing in Florida and his early interest in playing the trumpet before being drafted into the United States Army during World War II, where he learned how to play the drums in a military orchestra. Shields describes his career as a musician following his military service, playing as a drummer for singers such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Billy Williams and in various club and casino orchestras in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shields provides his experiences of segregation in Las Vegas as an African American man, and discusses how African American culture has changed and progressed.
Archival Collection
UNLV Libraries Collection of Project Faultless Photographs
The UNLV Libraries Collection of Project Faultless Photographs (1967 August 08-1968 February) contain black-and-white photographic prints of Project Faultness, a megaton nuclear test site in the Mojave Desert within Nye County, Nevada. The photographs depict scenes near and at the test site; buildings; and the area post-detonation.
Archival Collection
Jennilee Thayer oral history interview
Oral history interview with Jennilee Thayer conducted by Claytee D. White on August 12, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thayer discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 when it was still a mining town. She describes early Henderson, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and recalls her father’s employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant. Lastly, Thayer discusses her employment in show production, atomic bomb testing, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Elizabeth Harrington Photograph Collection
The Elizabeth Harrington Photograph Collection (approximately 1910-1959) is comprised of black-and-white and color photographic prints and negatives. The images primarily depict the Kiwanis Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as the Potosi mine in Nevada. Other images depict early Helldorado parades, airplanes at Anderson Field (Rockwell Field), and First State Bank employees. Also included are images of locations in Las Vegas, including Las Vegas grammar schools, the El Portal Theater, El Rancho Vegas, Fremont Street, Overland Hotel, and the Old Arizona Club. Additional images include portraits of Maude Frazier, Ray Lyman, and Arthur Harrington.
Archival Collection
Elmo and Charlotte Ellsworth Photograph Collection
The Elmo and Charlotte Ellsworth Photograph Collection (approximately 1940-1959) is comprised of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives. The images depict Charlotte and Elmo Ellsworth. Also included is an image of Elmo Ellsworth on horseback at the Las Vegas, Nevada airport for the arrival of the first United Airlines flight and an image of people at the Last Frontier Village in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
John Nichols Photograph Collection
The John Nichols Photograph Collection (approximately 1930-1950) is comprised of black-and-white photographic prints depicting the western region of the United States including Southern Nevada, the Hoover Dam (then known as Boulder Dam), Lake Mead, and various desert landscapes. Photographs were collected by former Las Vegas and Boulder City, Nevada resident, John Nichols, who is a longtime art collector and gallery owner based in California. The collection includes some photographs taken by American photographer Glenn Davis who was known for photographing the Las Vegas Valley and the construction of the Hoover Dam.
Archival Collection
Fedora Bontempi Simpkin Photograph Collection
The Fedora Bontempi Simpkin Photograph Collection (1970-1983) consists of black-and-white and color photographic prints depicting Clark County, Nevada Mother's Day Celebrations and mother of the year award ceremonies. Pictured honorees include Grace Hayes, Frances Liberace, and Joyce Straus. Other images include Fedora Bontempi Simpkin with Nevada Senator Howard W. Cannon and Nevada Governor Richard Bryan.
Archival Collection
Christina Frausto oral history interview
Oral history interview with Christina Frausto conducted by Claytee D. White on November 16, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Frausto discusses her personal history, her career as an artist, and owning an art gallery in Boulder City, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her involvement with Desert Sculptures, the Boulder City Preservation Committee, and the Historic Boulder City Foundation.
Archival Collection
David L. Washington oral history interview
Oral history interview with David L. Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on March 18, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Washington discusses his personal history, education, experiences in the military, and becoming a firefighter in Las Vegas, Nevada. Washington talks about his employment at the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue department, explains the procedures for certain fire emergencies, and what it was like when women joined the department in the 1960s. Finally, he recalls becoming the City of Las Vegas Fire Chief.
Archival Collection
Johnny Griffin oral history interview
Oral history interview with Johnny Griffin conducted by Claytee D. White on September 13, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Griffin discusses his personal history and working at an all-white country club as a golf caddy. He recalls receiving a golf scholarship to Jackson State University, and describes starting a junior golf program at Craig Ranch Park in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Later, Griffin discusses his senior golf tour and the history of black golfing in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection