Oral history interview with Thomas Barbarite conducted by Dennis Chamberland on March 03, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Barbarite discusses his time at the Four Queens Hotel and the Dunes Hotel as a dealer as well as his work as a pit boss at the Flamingo Hotel, the Aladdin Hotel, and Caesars Palace. Barbarite also discusses the involvement of the mob in Las Vegas, particularly the influence of Bugsy Siegel in the operation of various properties.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mildred Bardy conducted by Deborah Grant on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview Bardy discusses the famous celebrities who would come to purchase clothing at the specialty clothing department store where she worked, as well as the costumes that were made there for the Helldorado Parade. Bardy also discuss some of the changes in Las Vegas over time, particularly the changes in fashion styles.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ethlyn Barneby conducted by Claytee White on October 16, 2002 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. During this interview Barneby discusses her experiences as a resident of Boulder City, Nevada during the 1940s. Barneby also discusses life with her husband, a member of the National Guard, and her husband’s employment as an operator for the City of Los Angeles, California during the construction of the Hoover Dam. She also describes their experiences moving back and forth between Boulder City and Los Angeles as well as the growth of Boulder City in relation to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barbara Barnett conducted by Charles Chesnutt on March 08, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Barnett discusses her experiences as a nurse in different units within several of the early hospitals in Las Vegas, Nevada with a specific focus on how patients were cared for and how the profession has evolved. Barnett also briefly talks about her time at the Hacienda Hotel and Casino and what it was like working in a casino. Barnett additionally discusses how the city has grown, specifically on social changes, climate change regarding the increase in humidity, and the casino additions to the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown areas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rene de Haven conducted by Nancy Hardy on August 2, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Rene de Haven discusses his career as a dancer in shows in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Los Angeles, California as well as acting in movies and being a choreographer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ray Christian conducted by Russell Ellis on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christian discusses race relations within schools, baseball teams, theatres, and Boy Scouts in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about his custodial at the El Portal Theatre, the Las Vegas Westside neighborhood, and living through the Great Depression. Christian ends the interview discussing how white and black veterans helped improved race relations in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Norman Christiansen conducted by James Courtney on November 28, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christiansen describes his family, and background before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956 from Montana. Christiansen then talks about working at the Nevada Test Site and about his career as a teacher. He speaks about the various changes he has noticed over the years in Las Vegas, including those in climate, pollution, economy, occupation, and standard of living.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gordon Christie conducted by Larry DuRussel on June 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Christie discusses working on the building of the MGM Grand Hotel, Fremont Hotel, Sahara Hotel, Desert Inn Hotel, and the Frontier Hotel. He also discusses religion, politics, family life in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the growth of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fermin De Leon conducted by Generoso E. Sayon on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. De Leon speaks about the Filipino experience in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the 1950s. De Leon also discusses being a veteran who served in World War II. De Leon also recalls how a majority of Filipinos living in Las Vegas worked as kitchen help in the hotels in the Las Vegas Strip area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Cichoski conducted by Tracey Bradley on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cichoski discusses, the roles and functions of the Cumorah Credit Union, the development of the credit union, the effects of the transition from federal to state charters and those advantages, and the overall function of a credit union.
Archival Collection