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.
Oral history interview with Dorothy and Altus E. "Tex" Nunley by Dennis McBride on June 9, 1986 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. The interview starts with Tex, who relates how he arrived in Nevada in 1931 as a government "rod man", employed to assist the engineers planning the infrastructure for the construction of Hoover Dam. He discusses the early tent city called "McKeeversville" named after the mess hall cook who pitched the first tent in the area, and the process of building railroad tracks from the Union Pacific spur that ended in what would soon become Boulder City. After this, both speak at length about the details of the dam's construction, Tex's work as a high rigger, the development of Boulder City, and many anecdotes about individuals associated with bost the city and the dam.
Oral history interview with Therese Thomas conducted by Dennis McBride on March 13, 1995 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In the interview, Thomas discusses her early life in Thistle, Utah before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in approximately 1931, where her father worked on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) construction. Thomas then talks about her early schooling in Boulder City, Nevada, her experiences as a swing and dance band musician, Block 16 in the Clark Las Vegas Townsite, and her memories of Las Vegas hotels and casinos. Other subjects Thomas covers include Las Vegas entertainers, entertainment venues, and women in the music industry during the 1930s.
Oral history interviews with Helen Manix conducted by Art Rader on October 29, 1974 and November 01, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interviews, Helen Manix discusses moving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1939 with her husband, John Manix, to operate a general merchandise store. Helen Manix and her son, Joseph "Joe" Manix, Jr., also discuss their local community, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and their experiences in Boulder City during World War II.
Oral history interview with Tommy Nelson conducted by Art Rader on November 29, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nelson discusses the history of Boulder City, Nevada and his career as a musician. He describes moving to Boulder City in 1932 and working as a laborer on the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Nelson describes life in the city during the construction of the dam, how the dam was built, and how Boulder City has changed. Nelson continues, talking about being a trumpeter, performing in various orchestras in Las Vegas, Nevada casino shows, and for injured United States service members during World War II.
Oral history interview with Chet Carrigan conducted by Robert Kahre on February 17, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Carrigan first talks about his background in construction as well as some of his experiences in the Sheriff’s Posse before describing the major events and changes of Las Vegas, Nevada that he witnessed. Carrigan also talks about his family, the effects of the Great Depression on the city, the flooding problem, and the building of Hoover Dam. He also describes the first schools in Las Vegas, means of transportation, his laundry business, his experience on the volunteer fire department, the first movie theaters, and Cashman Field.
The visual materials series (1927-1991) contains photographs and transparencies of places such as Las Vegas, Nevada; the Hoover Dam; Sedona, Arizona; Oberlin, Ohio; and other states Robert Woodruff traveled to during cross-country road trips. The material documents city scenes, community events, landscapes and animal life, national and state parks, and Woodruff's family. Cities and places around Nevada include Goodsprings, Tonopah, Rhyolite, Boulder City, Mount Charleston, Valley of Fire, and Death Valley. Events pictured include Henderson's Industrial Days, Helldorado, and the construction of the Hoover Dam. Materials are comprised of formats including 4x5 photographic prints; 35 mm, 120 mm, and 4x5 negative and positive transparencies; and 35 mm and 120 mm projection slides. The series also contains audio reels, a cassette tape, two early cameras, and a slide viewer.
Archival Collection
Robert Woodruff Papers
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Collection Number: MS-00455 Collection Name: Robert Woodruff Papers Box/Folder: N/A