Oral history interview with Jerrie Merritt conducted by Lisa McAllister on November 23, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Merritt discusses her early life in Alabama, and relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carl Ciliax conducted by Gary Wood on March 08, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ciliax first describes his family history, and his early interests in wildlife. Ciliax then discusses his early experiences in hunting and his eventual interest in conservationism and preservation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Clinton Wright conducted by Claytee D. White on October 13, 2005 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Clinton reflects on the societal changes he observed over the years, particularly in the black community of the Westside and North Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls how he changed his personal thoughts about raising his children in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Gary Ostensen conducted by Claire McCoy on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. in this interview, Ostensen describes the difficulties that face bellmen in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ostensen later discusses the requirements to be a good bellmen.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harry Block conducted by Mark McLane on February 24, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Block discusses recreational activities, his experience during World War II, early businesses and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Helldorado Parade, Block 16, atomic testing, changes in technology, and visiting Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William McLeod conducted by Valerie McLeod on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McLeod begins by speaking about his career as a contractor, the growth of Las Vegas in the 1960s and the city’s population. Moreover, he speaks about recreational activities such as riding motorcycles and exploring mines around Nevada. McLeod also spends time going over Indian reservations around Nevada and neighboring states, the Lost City in Nevada, boomtowns and ghost towns. Lastly, McLeod talks about the history of water and springs in the state of Nevada, what he would consider to be the Old Ranch and the stagecoaches that passed through Gold Point, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert H. Lias conducted by Verna M. Holley on March 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lias describes life in early Las Vegas, Nevada after arriving in 1932, and his career as a postmaster.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary E. Habbart conducted by Pamela Larkins on July 15, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss Habbart’s personal family history and her family’s reasons for moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Habbart also describes social and economic changes to Las Vegas and her local dairy farm.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth Johann conducted by Gloria Banks on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johann discusses the origin of his business and early land prices in Southern Nevada. Johann also explains the history of his investments and how land development progressed in Las Vegas, Nevada from the 1950s onward.
Archival Collection