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Henry Shepherd oral history interview
Oral history interview with Henry Shepherd conducted by Claytee D. White on October 22, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Shepherd discusses being an African-American bartender on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, hired as a result of the 1971 consent decree. He also recalls memories of Jackson Street, the homes in North Las Vegas, and the hotels in downtown Las Vegas and on the Strip.
Archival Collection
Eunice Claxton oral history interview
Eunice Claxton oral history interview conducted by Claytee White on June 4, 5, and 10, 2015 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Claxton discusses living in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, attending the Westside School, working as shield in El Morocco nightclub, and memories of Jackson Street life.
Archival Collection
Ruth Eppenger D'hondt oral history interview
Oral history interview with Ruth Eppenger D'hondt conducted by Claytee D. White on August 25, 2011 and July 9, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Eppenger D'Hondt discusses her family's restaurant business on Jackson Street. She also discusses what it was like to be one of first black families to live in Berkley Square.
Archival Collection
Rebecca Gipson and Bennie Trotter oral history interview
Oral history interview with Rebecca Gipson and Bennie Trotter conducted by Claytee D. White on November 11, 2021 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Gipson shares memories of the Westside in the 1960. She recalls walking to the Westside School, going to the bowling alley on Jackson Street, and dancing at the Jefferson Center. Trotter, who worked for Clark County School District, also recalls living in Berkley Square and describes the Westside community with fondness. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Shirley Edmond Papers
The Shirley Edmond Papers (approximately 1950-2019) contain newspaper clippings, magazines, and church bulletins related to Edmond's civic participation over the years. The collection also contains photographs and ephemera related to the Johnson family and their business on Jackson Street on the Westside, Johnson's Malt Shop. Shirley Edmond grew up on the Westside, and was the first African American woman in Southern Nevada promoted by the United States Post Office to be a supervisor. She also worked at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Archival Collection
Agnes Marshall oral history interview
Oral history interview with Agnes Marshall conducted by Claytee D. White on September 12, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Marshall discusses her family being one of the first families to move into Berkley Square, the first middle-class black housing development designed by Paul Williams. She also recounts her experiences with the nightlife in Las Vegas, Nevada during the heydays of Jackson Street, including clubs such as Cotton Club and Town Tavern, and restaurants like Mom's Kitchen.
Archival Collection
Rosa Lee Brewer, Maxine Westby, and Angelia Carter oral history interview
Oral history interview with Rosa Lee Brewer, Maxine Westby, and Angelia Carter conducted by Claytee D. White on April 17, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Brewer discusses her early life in Birmingham, Alabama and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957. Brewer and Westby remember living in the Westside, J Street and Jackson Street businesses, and the issue of homelessness in that area. Later, Brewer, Westby, and Carter discuss the schools on the Westside and school integration. Lastly, Brewer, Westby, and Carter discuss changes in the Westside.
Archival Collection
Mary Wesley oral history interview
Oral history interview with Mary Wesley conducted by Claytee D. White on October 22, 2007 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Wesley discusses her early life in Quitman, Mississippi. She recalls the racism she experienced during her youth, the church community in Quitman, and traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada by train. She talks about the welfare rights movement in Las Vegas, Operation Life, and businesses on Jackson Street. Lastly, Wesley describes the entertainment on the Westside, and integration on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Earls Coiffeurs (Hair salon chain)
Earl’s Coiffeurs was a combined beauty salon and barbershop operating on Jackson Street. The business maintained two locations: Shop No. 1 at 507 Jackson Street and Shop No. 2 at 512 Jackson Street. In addition to in-shop services, Earl’s Coiffeurs also offered 24-hour home service.
Corporate Body