Oral history interviews with J. A. Tiberti conducted by Claytee D. White on August 17, 2000 and August 24, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Tiberti begins by discussing his family history and his upbringing in the mining town of Morley, Colorado, and later in Detroit, Michigan. He describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1941, where he worked for the United States Corps of Engineers on the construction of Nellis Air Force Base and later established his construction company, J. A. Tiberti Construction Company. Tiberti talks about being a member of the City of Las Vegas Planning Commission, the duties and responsibilities that came with being on the Planning Commission, and describes how a construction company is run. He also discusses his wife, children, and how Las Vegas has changed and grown since the 1940s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barbara Mowry conducted by Jon Sedlacek on February 16, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mowry describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from California in 1949 to get a divorce, before remarrying and entering into the restaurant business with her new husband. Mowry discusses buying an established restaurant, the Villa Venice, with her husband, and the eventual fire that would destroy the restaurant in 1952. Mowry describes running the restaurant, the different kinds of recreation in Las Vegas during the 1950s, and how Las Vegas has changed since she moved there. Mowry also discusses the prejudice against African Americans in Las Vegas, and how her husband would have to let in African American performers such as Sammy Davis Jr. or Pearl Bailey through the back door of their restaurant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Evelyn Miller McDonald conducted by Maylene C. Cabatingan on February 26, 1980 and February 27, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McDonald discusses her occupational history and how her father started the first car garage in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about the Great Depression, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and the appeal that Las Vegas, Nevada had to tourists and divorcees. McDonald later discusses how prostitution was accepted by the Las Vegas, Nevada community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Paluzzi conducted by Claytee D. White on September 05, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Paluzzi discusses his personal history and his experiences serving in the United States military in the 1940s. He talks about the Great Depression of 1929 and how that impacted his decision to join the military. Paluzzi then describes the state of the economy before and after joining the military, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1949, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Later, Paluzzi shares his thoughts on organized crime and its possible connections with casino executives. He talks about the success and growth that Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino had, and his role as convention coordinator for Caesars Palace. Lastly, Paluzzi describes the growth and changes in Las Vegas and the impact that Jay Sarno had on casino development.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patty and Harry Todd conducted by Claytee D. White on May 28, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Patty Todd describes her childhood on the Westside of Las Vegas, and remembers a friendly community. She attended the Westside School and graduated from Rancho High School. Patty met her husband, Harry, at a Military Appreciation Ball on October 15, 1966. Harry Todd grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada when he joined the Air Force. The two share memories of living on the Westside and growing up with the city in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Patty shares about her family's long history in Las Vegas, and at one point an earlier generation homesteaded property at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo where the Bellagio stands today. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leslie Earl Stewart Sr. conducted by Vicki J. Stewart on February 06, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stewart discusses his personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the early twentieth century. Stewart talks about local politicians, organizations he is involved with, and his recreational activities. He describes how Las Vegas has changed, how Southern Nevada has improved economically, and the history of railroads in Nevada. He also discusses his parents' land, Stewart Ranch, as well as the Native Americans who worked on the ranch.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Stafford conducted by Gale Robinson on March 05, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stafford discusses her personal history and the history of Henderson, Nevada. Stafford describes living in Henderson during the 1950s and the importance of the Basic Magnesium Plant during World War II. She then talks about how Henderson has grown and the different chemical plants that opened in the town. Stafford goes on to discuss her career working for the local newspaper,
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Ullum II conducted by Gerald Brooks on September 28, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ullum discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1910s. He describes life in the city during the early twentieth century and how the city changed and expanded, including construction of various buildings, casinos, and roads. Ullum goes on to discuss the careers he held, such as officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, district manager and safety engineer for the Nevada Industrial Commission, and city manager for the City of Las Vegas. He also talks about his family, political involvements, and the areas of Las Vegas he has lived in.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edith and Arthur Block conducted by Claytee D. White on September 15, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Arthur and Edith Block talk about living in rural towns in Northern Nevada, his career in law enforcement and her career in banking, and living in Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Schreck conducted by Claytee D. White on April 10, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Frank Schreck discusses his upbringing in Henderson, Nevada in the 1940s, his education at Yale University and University of California Berkeley School of Law in the 1960s, and his return to Las Vegas, Nevada after graduation. Schreck shares stories of growing up conservative and becoming more liberal after attending college, including attending antiwar demonstrations. He talks about helping locals with welfare rights, standing up to housing discrimination against people of color, and his experiences working pro bono cases within the Las Vegas community. Schreck recalls the influence Mike O'Callaghan had on his life, both as an educator encouraging Schreck to become a lawyer and later as a mentor appointing him to the Nevada Gaming Commission. Finally, Schreck talks about his professional career as a corporate gaming lawyer and activism efforts within Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection