Oral history interview with Owen Earl Cox conducted by Mark Milford on March 6, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Owen Earl Cox first talks about his early relocations to Nevada. He then discusses his career at the Basic Magnesium Inc.. Cox also talks about his family, the Mormon Church, and managing his store, Vegas Village. Cox then discusses crime, his hobby of cattle ranching, and his views on the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Isabella Jessie Curtis conducted by Andrew B. Levy on February 15, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Curtis first talks about her career in waitressing at several restaurants and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses her involvement in politics, her early recreational activities, and the atomic testing. Curtis then describes living in Sandy Valley, Nevada, and some of her first memories of the Union Pacific train depot in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Michael Drakulich conducted by Jane Finfrock on May 8, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Drakulich discusses his career after graduating college and holding several teaching and coaching positions at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, including professor, golf coach, and athletic director. He also discusses the growth of the university, important figures in sports coaching at the university, and the growth of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sam S. Earl conducted by Laura Button on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses the family’s early residence in a tent and their religious participation. He also discusses welfare benefits, gambling, the first members of the police force, and the Helldorado parade. Earl then talks about his work on the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, as a building contractor, and as a truck driver.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Erbe conducted by Marcela Yepes on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Erbe discusses his educational background, his first teaching position as a fifth grade teacher, and his military experience. He also talks about church activity, politics, and social activities in Las Vegas, Nevada. Erbe also discusses his views on the educational system, his experiences as a principal, and some challenges he encountered at the administrative level.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Norman Forsythe conducted by Bill Cunningham on March 04, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Forsythe discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and joining the City of Las Vegas and Clark County Fire Departments. He also goes into detail about fighting the fire at the El Rancho Vegas in 1960 and his responsibilities as a battalion chief. The interview concludes with Forsythe talking briefly about his family’s recreational activities and his experience as a baseball coach.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Owen Nitz conducted by his daughter, Ashley Nitz, on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nitz discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada while in the U.S. Air Force. He discusses his career at the Nellis Air Force Base as well as the growth of the Las Vegas Strip. Nitz also discusses studying law in Colorado and later moving back to Las Vegas. Lastly, Nitz discusses the legal community in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Clay Lynch conducted by Linda M. Trust on June 28, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Lynch discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Illinois in July 1955, his education at the University of Pittsburgh, Nevada social welfare programs, and Las Vegas, Nevada casino showrooms. Lynch also briefly discusses his work as a United States Army engineer training officer, as well as a transportation engineering consultant and contractor for his company, Lynch Brothers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Herb McDonald conducted by Perry Kaufman on an unknown date in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Herbert Cobb McDonald discusses his work as a managing director and chamber director at Las Vegas, Nevada hotels and casinos including the El Rancho Vegas and the Last Frontier Hotel. McDonald also discusses his experiences promoting tourism through conventions, the Las Vegas News Bureau, celebrity advertisements, and the first sporting events held in casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Byron Thornton conducted by Kay Harris on October 27, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thornton discusses his personal history and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931. Thornton then recalls working for the Las Vegas Gas Company and starting his own concrete business. Lastly, Thornton describes installing petroleum gas tanks and pipes inside of homes used for testing atomic bombs at the Nevada Test Site and recalls the destruction caused by the explosions.
Archival Collection