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Polly F. Lilly oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01118

Abstract

Oral history interview with Polly F. Lilly conducted by Connie L. Patterson on March 26, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project. In this interview, Lilly discusses a range of topics, from building a Catholic church in early Las Vegas, Nevada, to the nearby nuclear weapons tests. She also describes witnessing a confrontation between Senator Joseph McCarthy and Hank Greenspun on stage at the now demolished War Memorial Building in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Frances Moore oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01319

Abstract

Oral history interview with Frances Moore conducted by Len Trout on March 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Moore begins by discussing her family's history in Nevada and the people she met in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about visits by prominent politicians to Las Vegas, the crash of Carole Lombard's plane, and life in Las Vegas during the 1930s and 1940s. Moore also describes how Las Vegas has changed, nuclear weapons tests, and the Stewart Ranch.

Archival Collection

Thomas Mulroy oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01350

Abstract

Oral history interview with Thomas Mulroy conducted by Don Kinney on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mulroy discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950 from Chicago, Illinois due to health reasons. Mulroy discusses the positions he held working for Southern Nevada Power and Telephone Company; Bonanza Air Lines, before it was taken over by Hughes Airwest; and for the City of Las Vegas as the Senior Citizens Coordinating Officer. Mulroy also describes nuclear weapons tests, how Las Vegas has expanded, and entertainment in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Diane C. Kneeland oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01034

Abstract

Oral history interview with Diane C. Kneeland conducted by Claytee D. White on May 19, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kneeland discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada and how the city has developed. Kneeland discusses her husband, William Coulthard, a former state assemblyman; the casinos she would visit on the Las Vegas Strip; and volunteering in the Junior League. Lastly, she describes life in Las Vegas during the 1950s, the entertainment available in Las Vegas, and nuclear weapons tests.

Archival Collection

Loretta K. Wait oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01891

Abstract

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

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

Joan Swift oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-01796

Abstract

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