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Gragson, Oran K.
Politician Oran Gragson was the longest-serving mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada, a position he held from 1959 to 1975. He was born February 14, 1911, near Tucamari, New Mexico. In 1919 his family moved to Arkansas, then later to Texas. Gragson came to the Las Vegas area in 1932, and worked at the Hoover Dam for a short time before finding employment in highway construction. He later managed the Boulder Inn Casino and Dance Hall and then became part owner of a new and used furniture store. He later opened the North Main Furniture Store, followed by the Charleston Appliance Center.
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Transcript of interview with Herbert & Erma Holtam by Marc Hechter, February 7, 1976
On February 7, 1976, collector, Marc Hechter interviewed Herbert and Erma Holtam in the collector’s home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the history of the early Las Vegas Valley area. The discussion includes an in-depth overview of the Helldorado Parade and Helldorado Village. The building of the hotels on the Strip, homesteading, and local housing developments, are also discussed.
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Mario C. Monaco interview, March 12, 1981: transcript
On March 12, 1981, Kim Rhodes interviewed Mario C. Monaco (born in Italy) about his life as an educator in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the interview, Monaco speaks about his various teaching positions, how he ended up in Las Vegas, the changes seen in the Clark County School District and how it compares to educational districts throughout the nation. Moreover, Monaco discusses wages and teacher education opportunities, sports and extracurricular activities in school, community involvement, and racial integration through busing. Lastly, Monaco talks about his appointment to Director of Vocational Education in the Clark County School Districts, the programs offered by the vocational center in the valley and the importance of education.
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Transcript of interview with Bob Campagna by Kathleen Neumann, March 17, 1978
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Transcript of interview with Norman Forsythe by Steve Flint, March 19, 1981
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Transcript of interview with Eldon Cunningham by Randall L. Williams, March 14, 1981
On March 14, 1981, Randall Williams interviewed Eldon Cunningham (born 1920 in Granby, Missouri) about his life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cunningham first talks about his family background, his reason for moving to Las Vegas, and his service in the military during World War II. He also mentions the Twin Lakes area of Las Vegas, his hobby of prospecting, and his work with Clark County Electric as an electrician. Cunningham also talks in detail about some of his experiences while working at the Nevada Test Site in electrical work. As the interview concludes, Cunningham talks more about family illnesses, experiments at the Test Site, and his former hunting practices.
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