Oral history interview with Suzette Cox conducted by Andrew Lazarus on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Suzette Cox discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She then discusses her careers in the police departments and a local newspaper company. Topics also included racial discrimination, sports, and how the development of the Strip influenced her life while attending school in Las Vegas, as well as its relation to tourism and aboveground atomic testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Shaffer conducted by Gary L. Mynatt on June 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shaffer discusses living in Las Vegas, Nevada and his career in banking. Shaffer describes the positions he has held in the banking industry, where he has lived in Las Vegas, his family life, and his affiliations with different social and professional organizations. He also discusses how nuclear weapons tests at the Nevada Test Site affected the city economically, how Las Vegas has changed and expanded, and credit ratings in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Susan Fine conducted by Cecillia Boland on February 18, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fine discusses her family background and moving to Boulder City, Nevada, and then later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses the educational system, church involvement, mercury test site, Howard Hughes’ impact to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lenny Martin conducted by Betty B. Rosenthal on March 24, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Martin discusses the experiences of African American entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip in early Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with M.J. Christensen conducted by Rick Maggot on October 23, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christensen recalls living in Las Vegas, Nevada during the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane and describes local reactions to the early aboveground atomic tests. He also discusses family, religious life, and the Mormon Church. Christensen speaks about his time as the head of the Merchant’s Bureau, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the president of the Southern Nevada Better Business Bureau. He also discusses being an assemblyman for eight years and serving for four years as a senator in the state of Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ree Wengert conducted by Jams A. Bibbee on February 28, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wengert discusses her personal history prior to arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951. Wengert then describes the El Rancho Hotel and Casino in the 1950s, and recalls being freely permitted into Nellis Air Force Base to see the aircraft stationed there. Wengert later discusses the significance of the Helldorado Parade, atomic bomb testing, and the advancement of telecommunications.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Loreta Monson conducted by Jon J. Howard on March 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Monson discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Utah for her husband's job. Monson also discusses the growth of Las Vegas over the years. She talks specifically about hotels and casinos. Finally, Monson briefly describes her family life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Walter V. Long conducted by Patricia Truman on October 19, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Long discusses early buildings and communities around Las Vegas High School, as well as his experiences as a teacher and principal in Las Vegas, Nevada. Long also discusses his early life before coming to Las Vegas, family, education, politics, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl Preston conducted by Melanie Viola on February 13, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Preston discusses his life experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about working for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, ownership of Frontier Cable Company, and his musical activities, including his experience as a member of the Helldorado Hillbilly Band. He also talks about his religious background.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marguerite Segretti conducted by Tommy Rendano on February 24, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Segretti discusses her personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Segretti discusses her career as the Clark County Democratic Central Committee Chairman, a position which she was serving in at the time of the interview, and politics on the local and national level. Segretti describes how Las Vegas has changed and expanded, life in Las Vegas, and the presence of religion in Las Vegas. Segretti also discusses sex work and prostitution in Las Vegas and the rest of Nevada, as well as misconceptions people have about the city.
Archival Collection