Oral history interview with Loretta K. Wait conducted by Brian Nicoll on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wait discusses her personal history and the life of her father, Oscar G. Logan. Wait begins by describing her father's move to Nevada after serving in the military in the early twentieth century, Logan meeting his wife in Tonopah, Nevada, and how he worked at the ammunition storage depot in Hawthorne, Nevada as a carpenter. She then describes his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada and his carpentry work on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Wait continues, listing her father's business partnerships and other construction projects he was involved in. She concludes by talking about life in Las Vegas, her education, working at the Nevada Test Site, and observing an unidentified flying object.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John J. Weeteling conducted by his son, Terry Weeteling, on April 07, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Weeteling describes moving to Tonopah, Nevada in 1942 while enlisted in the United States Air Force and life in the town. He talks about moving to Ely, Nevada in 1945 and working there as a truck driver, how Ely has grown and changed, and opening a paint and body shop in Hawthorne, Nevada. Weeteling continues, explaining why he moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1947, joining the fire department on the Basic Magnesium Plant compound, and describes life in Henderson. He then describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951, Fremont Street during the 1950s, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Weeteling concludes by discussing local politicians, his recreational activities, ghost towns in Nevada, and nuclear weapons testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Verilee Shelbourne conducted by Mark Simons on March 07, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shelbourne discusses her personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shelbourne discusses prominent figures who have visited Las Vegas, her personal and political involvements, and nuclear weapons tests. Shelbourne also discusses how Las Vegas has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Melville Smith conducted by Karl Kuopus on February 17, 1977 and February 23, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith describes his career working for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada in the Planning and Development Department. Smith discusses city planning, how Las Vegas has changed, and housing in the city. Smith also talks about nuclear weapons tests, his children, and why he moved to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl R. Sorom conducted by his son, Earl M. Sorom, on March 06, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sorom discusses his personal history and Las Vegas, Nevada. Sorom describes his life before moving to Nevada to work at the Nevada Test Site, and later working there as a contractor for Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Co., Inc. (REECO). Sorom discusses his career in radiological health, nuclear tests that he was involved with, and radioactive decontamination of the Test Site. Sorom goes on to discuss his interest in gardening, his travels, and how Las Vegas has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Erick Spiess conducted by Gretchen Spiess on June 29, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Spiess discusses the history of the Nevada Test Site, and briefly discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history. Spiess describes his career as the technical liaison at the Nevada Test Site working for EG & G, Inc. and the research performed there, including the model town built to observe the effects of a nuclear weapon on an urban area. Spiess goes on to discuss how Las Vegas residents reacted to the testing, and how Las Vegas has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert and Janice Spurlock conducted by Claytee D. White on June 17, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Janice and Robert Spurlock discuss their individual histories in Las Vegas, Nevada. Janice talks about how her family moved to Las Vegas in the 1930s, going to school in Las Vegas, and the Helldorado Days. Robert discusses moving to Las Vegas in 1953, working in construction, and being accidentally exposed to radiation from the Nevada Test site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard L. Stanley conducted by Duane Reid on March 13, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Stanley begins by discussing moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1945 while enlisted in the United States Navy, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, and his history in law enforcement. Stanley talks about nuclear weapons tests, overall changes in Las Vegas, and the Old Mormon Fort. He concludes by describing the history of Nellis Air Force Base and McCarran International Airport.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maurine Swarts conducted by Teresa McGhie on May 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Swarts discusses her personal history and Southern Nevada history. Swarts discusses the crash of Carole Lombard's plane, above ground nuclear tests, and her recreational interests. Swarts also describes how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Joan Swift conducted by Sue Peterson on March 18, 2004, March 25, 2004, and June 22, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Swift discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s and 1950s. Swift begins the interview by describing her upbringing in the Basic townsite and Boulder City, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and life in Southern Nevada during World War II. She then discusses working in the Clark County Recorder's office, explaining her job duties and what function the office served for the county. Swift continues, talking about recreation activities at the time, including visiting the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and the Helldorado Parades. Swift discusses nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site and her career as the Clark County recorder. Lastly, she describes her thoughts on the future of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection