Oral history interview with Ralph L. Canfield conducted by Mariann McDuffee on March 21, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Canfield discusses different housing developments in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos, Lake Mead, Nevada’s environmental quality; prostitution, and atomic testing.
Archival Collection
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.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty and Gus Ciliax conducted by Connie Boich on March 2, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Southern Nevada and early development of the area. During the interview, they discussed local recreation, prostitution, Block 16, and various social activities. Additionally, they discussed how the economy changed with the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam and Nellis Air Force Base.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Conti conducted by Charles Conti on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Charlotte Conti discusses Mormon church activity, education, marriage, and raising a family in Las Vegas, Nevada. She then speaks about the Helldorado Parade and its social significance. She also discusses the overall growth and development of Las Vegas, Nevada, from 1953 to 1978.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Alvin (Todd) Early Jr. conducted by Brenda Sue Cody on March 25, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview, Early discusses mining, the building of Hoover (Boulder) Dam, and train travel being the central mode of transportation in the early days of the region. He also discusses the quick and easy divorce process and gambling as the main tourist attractions in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by Lester Wisbrod on February 18, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan discusses his experiences in journalism, including his work as an editor for the Review Journal. He provides details on some of the major events covered by the newspaper and his work in establishing Nellis Air Force Base. Cahlan also describes some of the social changes over time, including the growth of air travel for tourism and gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by James Weslowski on April 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan discusses his memory of the beginning of Nellis Air Force Base, originally named the Las Vegas Aerial Gunnery School for the Army Air Corps. He also discusses the role of the city commissioners in establishing Nellis as a permanent airbase, as well as the role of Western Air Express, a commercial air company which eventually became Western Airlines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by Radmila Radovich on February 27, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In his interview, John Cahlan discusses the beginnings of Las Vegas, Nevada, including the role of the Union Pacific Railroad and its need for water. Cahlan also discusses the changes in Las Vegas over time, including the evolution of the Western Air Express station to Nellis Air Force Base, as well as his concerns for the future of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marjorie Barrick conducted by Mary Beth Nitzschke on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas.In this interview Barrick discusses the sociological view of Nevadans in the gaming industry. Barrick also discusses the beginnings of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas history, founding Child Haven, a center for abused and neglected children, owning the Flamingo Hotel and Casino and the Fremont Hotel, and the lack of cultural activities in the 1950s.
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