Oral history interview with Mike Meade conducted by Steve Gortz on February 28, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Meade speaks about growing up in Tonopah, Nevada before its decline in population, his move to Elko, Nevada and eventually to the city of Las Vegas. Moreover, he talks about the development of the Strip, the differences between Las Vegas and rural Nevada, as well as the changing environmental landscape. Meade also spends time discussing the controversy surrounding the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) dormitory at the time of this interview, the attitude of locals, and his opinion on brothels and prostitution. Lastly, Meade talks about the city’s pollution, the sports and recreation throughout the whole of the state and ends by reading a poem about Nevada from a Bicentennial book.
Oral history interview with Hildred Meidell conducted by Greg Abbott on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Meidell covers a range of topics about living in Las Vegas, Nevada, from her and her husband’s time as tourists in the city and their subsequent retirement to Las Vegas from Los Angeles, California. Meidell describes the Las Vegas Strip, the interstate and highway conditions between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, as well as their numerous visits to Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Moreover, she speaks about the changing layout of the city, the increase in shopping centers and department stores, and the clothing stores inside of hotels. Lastly, Meidell talks about the prominence of churches in local communities, the atomic testing program and the structural damages these tests caused in her neighborhood, and the influence of the railroad and passenger train on the town.
Oral history interview with Mary Carol Melton conducted by Kathy Ricks on March 05, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Melton discusses early life in Henderson, Nevada and recalls the development of the United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. Melton speaks about moving to Las Vegas because of her husband’s health, her time working with attorney offices and in the Las Vegas Courthouse, and the different homes in which her family lived. Moreover, Melton talks extensively about starting the first Sunday school in North Las Vegas in a garage as well as the church she and her husband built. Melton discusses the programs and minstrels performed in the church, the crafts sold to make money for the church and the organ they purchased. Lastly, Melton talks about going to the Hoover Dam nearly every week to see new developments, her participation in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and watching the above ground atomic tests.
Oral history interview with Steven R. Melugin conducted by R. C. Taliaferro on April 08, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Melugin discusses his birth at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, his early education, imprisonment, the growth of Las Vegas, and racial segregation. Other topics discussed include Melugin's international travels.
Oral history interview with Jack Melvin conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 24, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Melvin discusses his work as publicity and advertising director for the El Rancho Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada starting in 1948. He goes on to explain his methods of selling advertisements and publicity.
Oral history interview with John Mendoza conducted by Perry Kaufman on May 26, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mendoza discusses Mexican American life in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls memories of his education in law.
Oral history interview with Sue and Leo Borns conducted by Claytee D. White on March 21, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project. Leo Borns discusses working for various architectural firms before developing his own identity as an architect and designing buildings for state public works. Borns and his wife, Sue, then discusses buying a house on Strong Drive in the McNeil Estates Neighborhood, and being active in social and philanthropic organizations, including the development of the Kiwanis Water Conservation Park.
Oral history interview with Fred Gibson conducted by David Emerson on February 13, 2008 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Fred Gibson discusses organizing Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada with his father in 1955, being a trustee director of the Nevada Development Authority, and helping with organizing an engineering school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Ray Merrill conducted by his son, Rick Merrill, on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ray Merrill describes how Las Vegas, Nevada has evolved and expanded over the years since he moved to Southern Nevada in 1942.