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Transcript of interview with Dennis Ortwein by Claytee White, May 6, 2009
Dennis Ortwein arrived in Las Vegas in 1956. He shares many details about growing up in Montana, his parents and siblings, his education, and the moment in time when he was offered an opportunity to work in Las Vegas. He also lays out the path his singing career took, starting with school plays, duets with his sister, and high school quartets. Once in Las Vegas, Dennis taught for a while, served as principal, and was involved in creating programs that helped integrate schools. He also talks about his church choir work, entertainment in early Las Vegas, above-ground testing at the Nevada Test Site, and anti-nuclear protests. Dennis served as lab school and student teaching coordinator in Nigeria. He offers several anecdotes and stories about the time he and his family spent there. After retiring early (age 53), Dennis acted as consultant to the Esmeralda County school board, executive director for the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and wrote a book. He is currently enjoying his singing career by appearing at conventions, in musicals, and at weddings and memorials.
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Transcript of interview with Dorothy Ross Fletcher by Sharon Hildebrandt, June 26, 1975
On June 26, 1975, Sharon Hildebrandt interviewed Dorothy Ross Fletcher (born 1936 in Las Vegas, Nevada) about growing up in and living in Southern Nevada. Fletcher first talks about that various towns in which she lived while growing up before discussing the schools she attended. She also discusses the changes in schools, her involvement in politics, church activity, gambling as a recreational activity, and prominent visitors who came to Las Vegas. Fletcher also talks about living in Nevada during World War II, the atomic testing, environmental changes and extreme weather, and the social changes in Las Vegas. The latter part of the interview involves discussion of real estate, the introduction of air conditioning for cooling, changes on the Las Vegas Strip, recreational activities available to youth in Las Vegas and the increase in the nonnative population.
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Transcript of interview with Colleen Gregory by Tim Waters, April 6 & 7, 1976
On April 6 and 7, 1976, Tim Waters interviewed Colleen Gregory (born 1928 in Santa Clara, Utah) about her life in Southern Nevada. Gregory first talks about her original move to Las Vegas, her early education, school activities, and her college education. She also talks about the first banks, Helldorado, the atomic testing, and environmental changes. Other topics covered include Howard Hughes, Western-style influences, first properties on the Strip, World War II, racial prejudice, and changes she has noticed during her career in banking.
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Margot Mink Colbert oral history interview
Oral history interview with Margot Mink Colbert conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 11, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Colbert discusses her Jewish heritage and her background in ballet dancing. She also talks about “Transitions Trilogy,” her original story of Jewish immigration into New York and Jewish contributions to mainstream media, all expressed through dance.
Archival Collection
Marilyn Glovinsky and Melissa Lemoine oral history interview
Oral history interview with Marilyn Glovinsky and Melissa Lemoine conducted by Barbara Tabach on April 02, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Glovinsky and Lemoine recall moving from Salt Lake City, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss helping start Congregation Ner Tamid, and their involvement with the Jewish community.
Archival Collection
Lois M. Goodall oral history interview
Oral history interview with Lois M. Goodall conducted by Judy Harrell on November 12, 2013 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 1. Goodall discusses the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), including the development of the Thomas & Mack Center, the Barrick Scholar Award for students and the Distinguished Scholar Award for faculty. Goodall also discusses her husband, the fourth UNLV president.
Archival Collection
Speech transcript by Joyce Mack for UNLV Alumni Association honor as 2008 Silver State Award recipient
In 2008, Joyce Mack was honored for her continued support of UNLV with the Silver State Award.
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"To Spite Our Faces": article draft by Roosevelt Fitzgerald
From the Roosevelt Fitzgerald Professional Papers (MS-01082) -- Drafts for the Las Vegas Sentinel Voice file. On the consequences of individual actions on others' votes.
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"The Recruit": article draft by Roosevelt Fitzgerald
From the Roosevelt Fitzgerald Professional Papers (MS-01082) -- Drafts for the Las Vegas Sentinel Voice file. On colleges needing to recruit Black faculty like they recruit Black athletes.
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Homero "Alex" Garza and Crisanta "Cris" Marshall oral history interview
Oral history interview with Homero "Alex" Garza and Crisanta "Cris" Marshall conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on October 28, 2025 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, the two siblings describe their childhood and experience as children of immigrants living in Nevada. Cris, born in Ojinaga, Mexico, and Alex, born in Bunkerville, Nevada lived with their parents, who immigranted to Nevada when Cris was young, to work on ranches in Bunkerville, Hiko, and Alamo, Nevada. Their father, a hardworking and educated man who ran successful businesses in Mexico, eventually built and ran a corner store and gas station. The two recall that growing up in a small town in the 1970s was difficult, and they faced many obstacles and discrimination during their upbringing. They talk about how their parents instilled a strong work ethic in all of their children. Alex worked as both a special education teacher and real estate agent, while Cris spent over fifteen years as an emergency phone operator for Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. They are both extremely grateful for the opportunities their parents gave them, and both admire them fondly. At the time of the interview, both siblings live in Las Vegas and are active in their community.
Archival Collection