Search Results
Lindquist, Ward A., 1921-1982
Ward Lindquist was born June 7, 1921 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lindquist family moved to South Dakota in approximately 1925 and to San Bernardino, California in approximately 1938. Lindquist moved to Las Vegas, Nevada between 1942 and 1945 and he began working at the Lake Mead Lodge as a bartender. He later became a captain for the Lake Mead Boat Company that operated recreational boat tours of Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. Lindquist later became a sheet metal worker at the Nevada Test Site. He died in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 12, 1982.
Person
Polk, Leonard, Jr., 1948-
Leonard Polk Jr. was born in 1948 in Monroe, Louisiana. He and his mother moved to Las Vegas in 1949 when he was just two months old. His father worked on the Hoover Dam. Polk grew up in West Las Vegas and remembers the movement to integrate the schools in the city. As a young adult, he joined the Marines and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. Polk began to work for shows in Las Vegas after he finished his military career. He worked for the Aladdin Baghdad Theater and for the MGM Grand Hotel.
Person
Vernon S. Caples oral history interview
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Abstract
Oral history interview with Vernon S. Caples conducted by Cheryl Caples on February 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vernon S. Caples (born August 7th, 1891 in St. Johns, Oregon) discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Vernon describes what Las Vegas was like in the early days, from the Red Light District to the Nellis Air Force Base. He also mentions the implementation of a government program that was set in place to aid senior citizens living in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Helen Mott Cecil oral history interview
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Abstract
Oral history interview with Helen Mott Cecil conducted by Claytee D. White on April 24, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Helen Mott Cecil discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Westside, including seeing the Helldorado parades and Hoover (Boulder Dam). She also discusses working for Farmers Home Association and in the medical care and entertainment industry during the 1930s. She then discusses her divorce and other topics like the atomic bomb testing, the bus system, and downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Louise Riley oral history interview
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Abstract
Oral history interview with Louise Riley conducted by Bryan Neel on March 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Riley discusses her life after moving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1946, and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Riley describes dates with her husband on the Las Vegas Strip, which included visiting clubs or watching Liberace perform. Riley also discusses her husband's job as an accountant at the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, as well as briefly discussing her experiences viewing nuclear weapons tests.
Archival Collection
Transcript of interview with Mary Habbart by David Patt, March 7, 1975
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Archival Collection
Description
On March 7, 1975, collector David R. Patt interviewed dairy and vegetable farm owner, Mary Habbart (born January 1st, 1719 in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview offers an overview of life in Las Vegas in the early days, which included: atomic testing, floods, prostitution on Block 16, early Fremont Street and Duck Creek. Also discussed during this interview: Sunset Park, The Roosevelts, Bugsy Siegel, local government and the Hoover Dam.
Text
Photographs of prayer dedication of the Boulder Dam site, circa 1931
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Two views of the assembled guests present for the dedicatory prayer of the Hoover Dam construction site.
Transcribed Notes: Transcribed from the back of Photo 1: "Dedicatiary (sic) site of Boulder Dam, 1-r, 4- Mrs. Thomas, 5- Art Ham Sr., 6- Bess Pembroke (white hat), 7- Ata Ham (lt. tweed coat), 8- Nana Lightfoot, 9- Mrs. Minetti, 10- Mrs. Martin, 1st row- far right Harley Harmon." Transcribed from facsimile accompanying Photo 2: "Prayer; dedication of damsite (sic), r-1, 6- Nellie Martin, 7- Bess Pembroke, 8- "Nana" Lightfoot, 9- Roy Martin, 10- Art Ham, Sr."
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John H. Pappas oral history interview
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Abstract
Oral history interview with John H. Pappas conducted by James Greene on October 04, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pappas describes coming to the United States during the early twentieth century, eventually making his way to Nevada in 1904. Pappas discusses working for the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad Company helping to build the railroad from Caliente, Nevada to Las Vegas, Nevada. Pappas later discusses leaving Nevada, then returning to help build the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, before leaving due to the extreme heat. Pappas describes his personal history in Las Vegas, the city's changes, and opening his own restaurant.
Archival Collection
Emery, Murl, 1903-1981
Murl Emery was born June 07, 1903 in Colton, California. In the 1930s and 1940s, Emery wandered and boated in previously unexplored areas of the Colorado River. During this time, he started a ferry company that brought Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) workers to construction sites and also gave tours of Cottonwood Cove, a recreation area which he helped develop. Murl Emery passed away in March 1981 at his home in Boulder City, Nevada.
Person
Fyhen, Ragnald, 1884-1971
Ragnald “Rags” Fyhen was an original member of the Nevada Central Labor Council. He was a labor organizer in the Clark County area. Fyhen was born in Tromso, Norway on August 1, 1884.
Fyhen was a machinist by trade. He came to Clark County in 1934 to work on the Hoover Dam and founded the Central Labor Council with some colleagues, which was instrumental in negotiating the labor agreement with Six Companies, Inc. to complete the dam. He served as the secretary-treasurer for the Central Labor Council from 1934 to 1947.
Person