Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Samanthia Kerwin on March 11, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tomiyasu discusses his family life, being raised on a farm, and enlisting in the United States Army some time between 1940 and 1944. Tomiyasu talks about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and witnessing changes in the city including hotel and casino construction and change in ownership. Tomiyasu describes transportation in Nevada and people moving to Las Vegas for job opportunities.
Archival Collection
The Wende Lestelle Photograph Collection is comprised of one black-and-white photographic print, two photographic postcards, and one photographic negative depicting the Sahara Hotel and Nevada Club in Las Vegas, Nevada between 1954 and 1961.
Archival Collection
The Esther Ruth Peaslee Postcard Collection (approximately 1900-1983) consists of postcards and postcard reproductions depicting a Labor Day celebration in Goldfield, Nevada, the Angelus Hotel, and the Goldfield Hotel. The reproductions were made approximately between 1960 and 1983. Also included is a postcard showcasing scenes in Goldfield.
Archival Collection
The Joan D. Norris Photograph Collection, approximately 1960 to 1971, consists of black-and-white photographic prints depicting scenes from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Images portray the Atlantic City Boardwalk, storefronts, and hotels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Billie Milton conducted by John Losky on May 05, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Milton discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from New York state in 1948. Milton discusses her family life and her career as a housekeeper. She also discusses hotels and casinos in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lillian and Jonathan Sarno conducted by David G. Schwartz on February 08, 2007 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Lillian discusses her personal history and experiences with her brother-in-law Jay Sarno. Jonathan talks about growing up with Jay and shares anecdotes of their childhood. Later, Jonathan and Lillian discuss the businesses that Jay was involved in, the opening of his various hotels and casinos around the United States, and the opening of Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lastly, the two describe how the hotels Jay founded in Las Vegas changed with new ownership.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alex Shoofey conducted by David G. Schwartz on March 13, 2003 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Shoofey discusses his personal history as an orphan in Brooklyn, New York. He describes his experience with casino owner Kirk Kerkorian, opening of the Flamingo Hotel, and the clientele that junkets brought to the Las Vegas, Nevada casinos. Shoofey discusses opening the International Hotel and Casino in 1969 and talks about designing the procedures for operating the casino. Lastly, Shoofey recalls Elvis Presley performing at the International Hotel and selling the property to Hilton a year into its operation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Larry Ruvo conducted by David G. Schwartz on January 27, 2009 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. Ruvo begins by discussing his position as a front desk clerk at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1970s. Ruvo then describes how Jay Sarno changed the casino industry by designing Caesar’s Palace with a single theme. Ruvo then chronicles how gaming gradually was legalized in more areas throughout the world and how Sarno capitalized on making Caesar’s Palace an iconic casino which made people want to travel to Las Vegas. Lastly, Ruvo discusses Sarno’s focus on offering both gaming and entertainment options for guests at Caesar's Palace.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mazie Martin Jones conducted by Jane P. Kowalewski on November 03, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jones discusses her father, Doctor Royce Martin, the first doctor to own a private practice in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jones then explains how her father first arrived in Southern Nevada and his different investments in real estate, hospitals, and hotels. She goes on to share her father’s hotel pursuits after retiring from medicine in the late 1940s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dorothy Kelsey conducted by James M. Greene on January 20, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the early days of Nelson, Searchlight, and Las Vegas, Nevada, as Kelsey offers an in-depth personal narrative on the life of a local. The interview concludes with a discussion on hotels and casinos.
Archival Collection