Oral history interview with Ray Merrill conducted by his son, Rick Merrill, on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ray Merrill describes how Las Vegas, Nevada has evolved and expanded over the years since he moved to Southern Nevada in 1942.
Oral history interview with Thomas Mulroy conducted by Don Kinney on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mulroy discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950 from Chicago, Illinois due to health reasons. Mulroy discusses the positions he held working for Southern Nevada Power and Telephone Company; Bonanza Air Lines, before it was taken over by Hughes Airwest; and for the City of Las Vegas as the Senior Citizens Coordinating Officer. Mulroy also describes nuclear weapons tests, how Las Vegas has expanded, and entertainment in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Quincella Rivers conducted by Claytee D. White on November 20, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Quincella Rivers began by talking about where she grew up, her family life and history with the arts, and her childhood. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979 to finish college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and talks about different jobs and organizations she has participated in. Rivers serves as co-chair of the Youth in Arts for Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, President of the Las Vegas Society, Inc., Advisory Board of Forgotten Song Foundation, and sings with Sweet Adeline International. She talks about the histories of some of the organizations, how she helped out in each of them, what their goals were, and what they did for the community. Lastly, she talks about racism in Las Vegas in the past and her personal experience with racism and segregation.
Oral history interview with George Durkin conducted by Claytee D. White on July 26, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Durkin describes his childhood in Schenectady, New York, where he first became interested in music. After college, Durkin enrolled in a master's program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and worked at Strip locations behind some of the great entertainers in the industry. While at UNLV, he studied with composer, arranger, and musician Don Hannah, and became a life-long friend of his son, Paul Hannah. Durkin explains that while he currently works in real estate, he still plays in shows when possible and is a regular percussionist for the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Over the years, Durkin played for many entertainers in Las Vegas, including Robert Goulet, Dorothy Hamill, Julio Iglesias, Dionne Warwick, Liberace, Joan Rivers, Sammy Davis, George Burns, and many more. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Oral history interviews with Moniru Ravanipur conducted by Claytee D. White on February 13, 2013, March 06, 2013, and April 24, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In these interviews, Ravanipur discusses her upbringing in Iran, her experience of the Iranian Revolution, and her writing, which ranges from fiction to autobiographical. Ravanipur describes living by the sea in the Persian Gulf, and how the religious beliefs of the people in that area differed from those of the Islamic Republic and the rest of Iran. She describes attending Tehran University during the revolution and being persecuted for her political beliefs, forcing her to flee to Kurdistan to escape possible execution. Ravanipur explains the history behind the Iranian Revolution and how she observed the country changing religiously and in its customs and norms, as well as the violence she witnessed. She concludes by describing how she became a prominent writer in Iran and internationally, and briefly describes applying for fellowship at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Jack Cherry conducted by Cheryl Mawhinney on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jack Cherry, M.D. (b. 1897 in Little Rock, Arkansas) discusses about his experiences as a practicing physician in Southern Nevada. Dr. Cherry first discusses the steps he took to initiate the building of what would become the Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital, where he would later become the hospital administrator. The interview concludes with Cherry’s opinion on the modern practice of medicine.
Oral history interview with Fred Thompson conducted by Henry A. LeClaire Jr. on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses his personal history and upbringing in Nevada. Thompson describes moving around the state due to his father's work as a miner and the types of ores his father would mine, including tungsten and uranium. Thompson also describes life in the rural desert, desert wildlife, the miners' lifestyle, and the interactions he had with Native Americans. Thompson goes on to discuss moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965 after his father was hired as an operating engineer for the Nevada Test Site. He talks about the differences between living in the city compared to the country and how Las Vegas has evolved.
Oral history interview with Daniel A. Moore conducted by Norwood Germany Jr. on March 03, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Moore discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952 for his father's career. Moore discusses his own career at McCarran Airport as well as his interest in bowling. Moore also discusses the African American community in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Jack Wesley Day conducted by Claytee D. White on August 19, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Day begins by discussing his upbringing and his service in the United States Army. He describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961 to work as a teacher at Rancho High School before joining the Clark County School District administration in 1963. Day talks about race relations at Rancho High School, life in Las Vegas during the 1960s, and being the coordinator for manpower development training classes between the Nevada Department of Education, the federal government, and the Clark County School District. Day also describes the early years of Vo-Tech High School and other aspects of the history of Clark County School District, as well as his experiences working for the district.
Oral history interview with Robert M. Fisher conducted by DeeAnn Coombs on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fisher first discusses his background and upbringing, from being born at Nellis Air Force Base to attending several schools in Las Vegas, Nevada, and joining the U.S. Navy. Fisher also talks about the development of Las Vegas, particularly Las Vegas Strip properties, and the various recreational activities in which he would participate, such as water skiing, drag racing, and skydiving. Fisher also talks about his work at the Nevada Test Site, including his work as a draftsman for underground atomic testing.