Oral history interview with Lovey McCurdy conducted by Greg McCurdy on March 19, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lovey recalls arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951, meeting white people in Las Vegas, Nevada, the atomic bomb testing, and other aspects of being part of the African American community during the 1950s and 1960s.
Oral history interview with Andrew Brewer conducted by Claytee D. White on July 1, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Brewer's interview starts with him discussing tenure as National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President beginning in January 2008. He also gives details about the fund raisers that allowed the NAACP to benefit students with grants, support voter outreach and a prison ministry, and provide guidance for those suffering discrimination.
Oral history interview with Irving Kirshbaum conducted by Cheryl Rogers on February 23, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Kirshbaum discusses the Riviera Hotel where he began working in 1955. He also talks about the landscape of the Las Vegas Strip in the 1950s, and the state of gambling, comps, customer service, and dealer training. Kirshabum discusses the treatment of minorities at the Riviera and in Las Vegas, Nevada generally.
Oral history interview with Roosevelt Toston conducted by Claytee D. White on July 11, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Toston discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and his various careers at the Test Site, Bell Telephone of Nevada, as a television anchorman and cameraman, and the Convention and Visitors Authority to bring conventions to Las Vegas. He also talks about ways African American entrepreneurs might get involved in the convention business.
Oral history interview with Rex A. Bell Jr. conducted by Craig S. Klatt on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bell discusses his movie star parents, growing up on his family ranch, and his education, from the 5th Street Grammar School to attending Notre Dame University. Bell also discusses his time living in Oregon and Southern Nevada, including his time working in a western clothing store in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bell also discusses social changes, as well as changes in policing styles over time.
Oral history interview with Teresa Jones Denning conducted by Lynn Ballard on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Denning first discusses living on a farm and her education in Overton, Nevada. Denning also talks about the construction of Hoover (Boulder) Dam while living there, her work as a bus driver for Las Vegas High School and the changes in Boulder City, Nevada over time.
Oral history interview with James W. Watts Jr. conducted by Linda Musser on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Watts discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956, and describes working as a pit boss and card dealer at the Four Queens on Fremont Street. Watts then discusses the first female card dealers, cheating in casinos, and security inside gambling halls. Watts later explains the origins of the Nevada Gaming Commission and explains how it affected gambling throughout Nevada. Lastly, Watts talks about the responsibilities of a pit boss.
Oral history interview with Felice John "Rocky" Russo conducted by Marta Planzo on March 14, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Russo discusses his life and living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Russo describes moving to Las Vegas to work in construction, later becoming a teamster, and making deliveries in several towns in Nevada. Russo also talks about seeing Howard Hughes at the El Rancho Hotel and Casino and Hughes' effect on the town, how Las Vegas has changed and expanded, and the various social clubs in the city.
Oral history interview with Mary K. Rymer conducted by Mary Fitzgerald on May 04, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rymer discusses her career as a nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada, which began at Clark County Hospital. Rymer tells several anecdotes of her experiences during her career, and discusses how hospitals have changed and evolved in Las Vegas. Rymer goes on to discuss her short retirement from nursing, before returning to the profession after being hired as a nurse for the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Patricia Brinton, Margaret Carnell, and Sharon Von Tobel Schmitt conducted by Lois Goodall on April 30, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Brinton, Carnell, and Schmitt discuss their grandparents, Ed Von Tobel Sr. and Mary Hameril. They also discuss their own parents, growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Von Tobel lumberyard, Helldorado Days, and how Las Vegas has grown.