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Henry E. Wellman oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01942

Abstract

Oral history interview with Henry E. Wellman conducted by Rebecca Rounds on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wellman discusses his personal history and the history of Boulder City, Nevada. Wellman describes the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), being a laborer working on the dam, and life in Boulder City during the 1940s. He talks about the United States government selling housing and land after the completion of Hoover Dam and how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed and expanded. Wellman also discusses the legalization of alcohol in Boulder City.

Archival Collection

Anna Jennings Welsh oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01946

Abstract

Oral history interview with Anna Jennings Welsh conducted by Judith Siu on July 05, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Welsh begins by describing her family's history in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning in 1911 with her grandmother. She discusses her grandmother's life and her collection of artifacts, which would later become part of the Southern Nevada Museum by the Henderson, Nevada Chamber of Commerce (now the Clark County Museum). Welsh continues talking about her own life, including her education, hobbies, family, friends, and living in Las Vegas. She also discusses nuclear weapons testing, the history of casinos in Las Vegas, her father's work constructing Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), and how Las Vegas has changed.

Archival Collection

Elsie Whipple oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01964

Abstract

Oral history interview with Elsie Whipple conducted by Hugo A. Cascos Jr. on March 22, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Whipple discusses Southern Nevada history and recalls the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Whipple also recalls the first hotels and casinos to open on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, and her work as a missionary with the Mormon Church.

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

Leora M. Wilcox oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01977

Abstract

Oral history interview with Leora M. Wilcox conducted by Alex D’Andrea on January 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilcox discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945, and shares her disappointment upon arrival. Wilcox also describes what it was like to live in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada while efforts for World War II were taking place. Wilcox later describes some of the most noticeable changes throughout Las Vegas, as well as the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.

Archival Collection

Erma Linda Rivera oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03546

Abstract

Oral history interview with Erma Linda Rivera conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez, Nathalie Martinez, Maribel Estrada Calderón, and Barbara Tabach on January 09, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Erma Linda Rivera discusses her early life as a grandchild of immigrants. She shares her experiences growing up in a mining town in Arizona. After marrying, both Erma Linda and her husband Jose became federal civil servants. This would lead Erma Linda Rivera to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1984. Prior to retirement, Rivera worked as an regional Equal Employment Opportunity manager. Rivera discusses her career working for the Department of the Interior, sharing how her job helped fuel her passion for social justice. Erma Linda relates the importance of civic involvement in her life. Finally, she reflects on how Henderson, Nevada has changed over the years she has lived there.

Archival Collection

Helen Jensen, Esther Faircloth, and Helen Rosati oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02438

Abstract

Oral history interview with Helen Jensen, Esther Faircloth, and Helen Rosati conducted by Claytee D. White on October 25, 2005 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Jensen discusses her early life and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1923. She remembers the city at the time, Fremont Street, and the increase in population through the 1930s. Jensen talks about the construction of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and the legalization of gambling in 1931. Then, Faircloth and Rosati describe growing up in North Las Vegas and recreational activities they participated in. Lastly, Jensen, Faircloth, and Rosati recall the Helldorado parade, rodeos, and changes in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Elton Garrett oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-00651

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Elton Garrett conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on December 05, 1980 and December 06, 1980 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In the first interview, Garrett discusses his career in journalism, education, and business. He talks about Boulder City, Nevada in the early 1900s, the Boulder Canyon Project Act (1928), and becoming a writing for the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 1931. Garrett talks about Six Companies, Inc., and the Williamsville (Ragtown) camp where dam construction workers lived before housing was completed in Boulder City. In the last interview, Garrett talks about the increase of businesses in Boulder City during the 1930s, permissions required to open a business at the time, and the increase of people moving to the area.

Archival Collection

Marion Allen oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00026

Abstract

Oral history interview with Marion Allen conducted by Dennis McBride on April 14, 1986 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Allen discusses the construction of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and his father’s employment on the dam. He talks about becoming a dam construction worker and the working conditions during the early stages of the dam. Allen recalls the labor strike in 1935 and the opening of the dam. Lastly, Allen talks about engineer Frank Crowe’s involvement with the the project.

Archival Collection

Helen Jamison Baker oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00056

Abstract

Oral history interview with Helen Jamison Baker conducted by Rod Lotspeich on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Baker discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1932. She talks about housing at the time, Six Companies, Inc., and the development of Boulder City, Nevada in the 1930s. Baker describes the construction of the Hoover Dam, and the increase of convention centers in Las Vegas through the 1960s and 1970s. Lastly, Baker compares living in Henderson, Nevada to her past experience living in Boulder City.

Archival Collection