Oral history interview with Bud Bodell conducted by an unidentified collector in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bodell discusses Six Companies, the building of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and the development of the local sheriff’s department and the police department. Bodell also discusses the impact of gambling on the local economy, and the development plans and construction of the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip hotels.
Oral history interview with Arlene and Nephi Potter conducted by Shirley A. Myers on July 07, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Arlene discusses her personal history, education, and church activities. Nephi then discusses his employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant and the two recall atomic bomb explosions at the Nevada Test Site. Later, Nephi and Arlene discuss Carole Lombard’s plane crash and the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Lastly, the two recall their experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Black and white image of "Big Bertha," the Six Companies, Inc. motor transport used to haul workmen between Boulder City and Hoover Dam. This double-decker truck could haul 154 men. Note: Boulder Dam was officially renamed Hoover Dam in 1947.
Oral history interview with Helen Manix conducted by Sherry O’Neil on October 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Helen Manix shares her experiences in Boulder City, Nevada as the owner of the first department store. Manix discusses the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada as gambling became legal.
Oral history interview with Melvin Eugene Serviss conducted by Juan Ortiz on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Serviss discusses his personal history in Missouri and Las Vegas, Nevada. Serviss describes going to clubs and meeting celebrities who were in Missouri for the filming of the movie Jesse James. Serviss also describes his time working for Harry S. Truman's political campaign to become Senator for the state of Missouri. Serviss discusses how he arrived to Las Vegas in 1930, the construction of the Hoover Dam, and how the city has changed and expanded.
Lillian Morrison was the first uniformed female who worked for Park Service and has worked for Reclamation for 20 years during the war at Camp Williston. Morrison recalls life in Boulder City during the late 1930s and 1940s. Morrison is the wife of Lloyd Shorty Morrison.
The Elton and Madelaine Garrett Photograph and Architectural Drawing Collection contains photographic prints and architectural drawings of Boulder (Hoover) Dam; Las Vegas, Nevada; Boulder City, Nevada; and other locations in the American Southwest from approximately 1927 to 1990. The photographs primarily depict Hoover Dam's construction and areas around Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, and Boulder City during the 1930s and 1940s. The bulk of the architectural drawings and maps are projects and diagrams related to the planning and development of Boulder City, Nevada between 1943 and 1985.
Oral history interview with Russell K. Grater conducted by Frederick Dougan on February 10, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grater first talks about his move to the Southern Nevada area and his work that impacted the Hoover (Boulder) Dam project. He then talks about the town of St. Thomas, Nevada, the Lost City, and the activities of tourists. Grater also talks about his work in excavation, the indigenous American Indian tribes of the area, findings on petroglyphs, and the types of wildlife that were found in the area. He later talks about findings related to fossils, gold mining, the effects of World War II on the Hoover Dam project, and vegetation in the area.
Oral history interview with Harvey N. Dondero conducted by Iskandar A. Batlouni on February 26, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dondero discusses relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931 to teach at Las Vegas High School. Dondero also discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, the gaming industry, school integration, the Westside, the Strip, Howard Hughes, Block 16, and the growth of Las Vegas from a sleepy railroad town to a thriving metropolis.