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.
Oral history interview with Jennilee Thayer conducted by Claytee D. White on August 12, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thayer discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 when it was still a mining town. She describes early Henderson, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and recalls her father’s employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant. Lastly, Thayer discusses her employment in show production, atomic bomb testing, and changes in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Harry Myers conducted by Dan D’Amico on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Myers discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 to work at the Basic Magnesium Plant. Myers then discusses the increase in gambling and development of casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Myers later describes the social changes throughout Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Darrell Luce conducted by Claytee D. White on September 28, 2003 and October 06, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Darrell Luce discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family in 1932, the history of Las Vegas, the testing of nuclear weapons, Basic Magnesium Inc., Carver Park, the construction of Hoover Dam, and businesses in early downtown Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Joseph C. Mattingly conducted by Sean Powers on February 23, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Mattingly discusses moving back and forth between Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada during the 1930s and 1940s before finally settling in Las Vegas in 1954. Mattingly also discusses his life as a sheet metal worker for commercial buildings, Las Vegas Strip hotels, and buildings on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus.
Oral history interview with Hugh McAllister conducted by A. D. Hopkins on January 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, McAllister discusses his early life working as a miner in Colorado and Nevada, his time in Lathrop Wells, Nevada, and his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936. McAllister also discusses his work as a bread truck driver, highway construction worker, and a machine shop worker for Basic Magnesium, Inc.
Oral history interview with Estes McDoniel conducted by Gregory S. Hayes on March 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McDoniel discusses his personal history in Henderson, Nevada, including his campaign for Mayor. McDoniel then discusses the first high school in Henderson, Nevada, and the Basic Magnesium Plant.
Oral history interview with Grove Wilson "G.W." McMillin conducted by W.J. McMillin on February 18, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, G.W. McMillin discusses moving to Henderson, Nevada in May of 1943 to take a supervisory position at the Basic Magnesium Plant. McMillin goes on to discuss the development of Las Vegas, Nevada and Henderson. He also discusses historical events specific to Nevada and his work in law enforcement.
Oral history interview with John E. Jeffrey conducted by Frank Vivirito on April 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jeffrey discusses his occupational history, the disparity of work conditions and opportunities for Black and Mexican workers in the Henderson, Nevada magnesium plant, and his family’s medical history.
Oral history interview with Judith L. Hamblin conducted by Margaret Stambro on March 30, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hamblin covers the history of Henderson, Nevada, local schools, teachers, and Helldorado. Hamblin also discusses her fondness for Lake Mead, the Basic Magnesium Plant, Nellis Air Force Base, and the early aboveground atomic blasts.