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Displaying results 1611 - 1620 of 2517

Eleanor and Elmer H. Nighswonger oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01387

Abstract

Oral history interview with Eleanor and Elmer H. Nighswonger conducted by Rick Isom on September 24, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Elmer and Eleanor explain why they moved to Southern Nevada, Elmer's career as battalion chief of the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department, and living in Boulder City, Nevada. The Nighswongers also discuss Elmer's political affiliation, nuclear weapons tests, economic changes of Southern Nevada, and pollution caused by the chemical and metal plants in Henderson, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Burton Cohen oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00230

Abstract

Oral history interview with Burton Cohen conducted by Claytee White on January 09, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Burt reflects on the positions he held in numerous famous Las Vegas, Nevada Strip casinos, the celebrities he hired and befriended, and offers a unique look at the behind the scenes marketing and entertainment strategies that he helmed. He shares stories of becoming entrenched in casino operations and his reflections of union experiences.

Archival Collection

Mary and Bruce Eaton oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00514

Abstract

Oral history interview with Mary and Bruce Eaton conducted by Beatrice Scheid on March 8, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mary discusses growing up in the early days of Boulder City, Nevada, specifically the influences of the churches and schools. She also talks about housing, transportation, and her career as an educator. Bruce, her husband, talks about his employment with Six Companies, Inc., the issues of worker’s compensation, and the cooling system used to cool the concrete of the dam as it was being built.

Archival Collection

Ron Tomlin oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03893

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ronald (Ron) Tomlin conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Tomlin recalls growing up as child with his mother, Dorothy Dalton Tomlin, who started the Dotty Dee Dancers in 1952. Ron recalls spending much of his childhood with his grandmother while his mother toured the country with the Dotty Dee Dancers. In 1955, his father, Donald Sherwood Tomlin, opened a clothing store, Scottie's Clothing Store, in the Moulin Rouge shopping strip on the Westside of Las Vegas, where he sold the latest fashion trends to Black men. Ron traveled across country with his parents after high school, helped them run a small resort on the Russian River called the Bohemian Grove, and then began his photography career. Throughout his career as a photographer, he has photographed Mike Tyson, Naomi Campbell, and Elvis. Tomlin also talks about having a passion for dancing, like his mother.

Archival Collection

Stanley Paher oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03889

Abstract

Oral history interview with Stanley Paher conducted by Claytee D. White on March 20, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Paher recalls his childhood, being born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. His family built and owned the Gateway Auto Court, now the Gateway Motel, at the corner of Las Vegas and Charleston Boulevards. After a brief period serving in the United States Navy and obtaining a bachelor's degree, Paher entered the master's program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Paher discusses his love of researching and writing about Nevada ghost towns, including writing his first book on the subject in 1970. He recalls seeing the physical book on the printing press, and talks about the profound impact that moment had on his life. It led to the founding of Nevada Publications, and his involvement with 59 Las Vegas and northern Nevada authors from 1970 through 2023. Paher has written fifteen books on Nevada, Arizona, and California.

Archival Collection

Diana Bennett oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-03861

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Diana Bennett conducted by Claytee D. White on February 4, 2022 and April 16, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In these interviews, Bennett discusses growing up as the daughter of William "Bill" Bennett, the visionary behind Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, and the Sahara hotels. She recalls no one hiring her after dropping out of Arizona State University to pursue her passion of entering the gaming industry. Finally, Dick Thomas hired Bennett to work at the Flamingo. Today, Diana Bennett is the CEO and co-founder of Paragon Gaming, a developer and operator of gaming-based properties, second generation casino operator, and one of the most effective and respected executives in the gaming industry. Bennett discusses her role in developing, constructing, and managing the River Cree Reserve outside of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the first ever First Nations gaming property in Alberta.

Archival Collection

Delon Potter oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01500

Abstract

Oral history interview with Delon Potter conducted by Eleanor Christoffersen on February 3, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this brief interview, Potter, a Mesquite, Nevada native, talks about his birth in 1909 and his move to Las Vegas in 1933. He describes the early town and some of the more notable inhabitants including "Pop" Squires, working at the Winterwood Ranch at the base of Sunrise Mountain, as a sheep herder near Kaolin, Nevada, and later as a construction worker at the Hoover Dam. After the war, Potter explains that he tried running his own ranch in Utah before moving back to Henderson, Nevada, working for U. S. Lime and trading horses throughout Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.

Archival Collection

Iona Thompson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01822

Abstract

Oral history interview with Iona Thompson conducted by Lisa C. Krueger on March 08, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses different aspects of life in Las Vegas, Nevada during World War II. Thompson describes the rationing of food and fuel, as well as the increased military presence in Las Vegas and how that affected the city. Thompson also describes how Las Vegas has changed since the 1940s, prominent locations in the city such as Lorenzi Park and McCarran Field, and pollution caused by the chemical and metal plants in Henderson, Nevada. Lastly, she talks about flight and bombing trainings in Las Vegas and working at the Las Vegas Army Gunnery School.

Archival Collection

Nadine Tobin oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01829

Abstract

Oral history interview with Nadine Tobin conducted by Pamella Perry on February 10, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tobin discusses her personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Tobin describes moving to Las Vegas as a child in 1941, life in the city, and how the city has changed and grown. Tobin then talks about the arrival of Bugsy Siegel; new casinos in Las Vegas; and the El Dorado Ranch, a divorce ranch. She goes on to discuss her career as a photograph lab technician, how photographs were developed, new printing technology, and printing photographs for the Atomic Energy Commission and Nevada Highway Patrol. Lastly, she discusses her recreation activities and the Helldorado Parade.

Archival Collection

Mike Velardo oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01874

Abstract

Oral history interview with Mike Velardo conducted by his son, William Velardo, on March 15, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Velardo discusses his career in the gaming industry in Las Vegas, Nevada. Velardo describes the history of casinos and gambling in Las Vegas, including how those industries have changed since he first moved to the city in 1957. He goes on to discuss the cost of entertainment, cheating in casino games, and the benefits of the design of the Caesars Palace pit, where Velardo is a casino manager.

Archival Collection