Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

Search Results

Display    Results Per Page
Displaying results 31 - 40 of 55

John J. Weeteling oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01935

Abstract

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

Ward W. Wengert oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01948

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ward W. Wengert conducted by Robert D. Myles on March 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wengert discusses his personal history and Las Vegas, Nevada history. Wengert describes living in Las Vegas, observing the nuclear tests, and economic and environmental changes of Las Vegas. Wengert also discusses how Las Vegas has developed and changed, and flooding in Nevada.

Archival Collection

Jesma and Carlyle Wilcox oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01976

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jesma and Carlyle Wilcox conducted by Sally Griffis on February 19, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jesma Wilcox begins by describing her family ranch, how her father leased the property to tenants, and what it was like living without air conditioning and refrigeration. She describes using a nearby stream as a water source, recreational activities, and the Mormon settlers and missionaries who first settled on the ranch. Wilcox talks about her religious involvement with the Mormon Church and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the mid-twentieth century, as well as how Las Vegas has changed. Wilcox, with her husband Carlyle, also discusses the history of the nuclear weapons tests. Carlyle then describes the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada.

Archival Collection

William Wright oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02033

Abstract

Oral history interview with William Wright conducted by Andrew Weiss on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wright discusses his career working for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s. Wright describes how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed and expanded, the crash of Carole Lombard's plane, and the history of McCarran International Airport. He also talks about nuclear weapons tests and their negative effects, the effect World War II had on Las Vegas, and prominent local politicians.

Archival Collection

Dennis Ortwein oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01416

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dennis Ortwein conducted by Claytee D. White on May 06, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Ortwein discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956 and his various careers as an elementary school teacher, a junior high teacher, and an elementary school principal. He also discusses working at a teacher's college in Nigeria, being a church choir director, and his experience as a singer. He then talks about school integration in Las Vegas and above-ground nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site.

Archival Collection

Liermann L. Ousley oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01420

Abstract

Oral history interview with Liermann L. Ousley conducted by Brian Emil on April 29, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ousley discusses his career as a lineman, a type of electrician, in California and Nevada. Ousley also discusses how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed since moving there in 1933 and observing the first nuclear weapons test.

Archival Collection

Joseph Tooley Phillips oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01479

Abstract

Oral history interview with Joseph Tooley Phillips conducted by Joanne P. Marshall on March 15, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Phillips discusses his personal history in Nevada and his job as a printer at the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Las Vegas Sun. Phillips describes nuclear weapons tests, how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed over the years, and the union strike at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Archival Collection

John Pocock oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01487

Abstract

Oral history interview with John Pocock conducted by Jeffrey J. Wild on March 08, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pocock describes his history as an Irish immigrant, his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950, and life in the city during the 1950s. He discusses housing availability in Las Vegas and the development of the city, including the construction of casinos which he claims encouraged the growth of Las Vegas. He talks about working in a casino that eventually became the Sands Hotel and Casino, organized crime in Las Vegas, and the future of the city. Pocock concludes by discussing how Las Vegas and the quality of its customer service in casinos has changed, his recreational activities, and nuclear weapons testing.

Archival Collection

James Prather oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01506

Abstract

Oral history interview with James Prather conducted by Bruce Finkelstein on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Prather discusses his childhood and personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prather discusses his education, recreational activities he did as a child, and how Las Vegas has changed. Prather describes the swampy marshlands he used to play in near Las Vegas, viewing nuclear weapons tests and the nuclear fallout safety drills they would perform in school, and witnessing a plane crash in the North Las Vegas, Nevada area. Prather also discusses the arrival of Howard Hughes in Las Vegas and the effect he had on the city.

Archival Collection

Gerald Price oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01513

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gerald Price conducted by Mike Labrum on October 23, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Price discusses his personal history and experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes his career as a dealer in casinos, prominent celebrities visiting Las Vegas, and his recreational activities. Price also talks about nuclear weapons tests, how Las Vegas has changed, and gambling.

Archival Collection