Oral history interview with Della Coates conducted by Bill Hitchcock on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Coates discusses public services, atomic testing, Nellis Air Force Base, the education system, military life, the difference in wages between careers, and wage changes. She also describes her time working for the telephone company.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sally Halko conducted by Roberta Farmer on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Halko first talks about her family background, education, traveling, and church membership. She later talks about the development of Las Vegas, Nevada casinos, racial minorities, housing growth, Lake Mead, and the first theaters.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lena Brass conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 17, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brass discusses her upbringing in Winsboro, Louisiana and describes living during segregation. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1975 with her husband, her employment at Nevada State Bank, and participating in the Martin Luther King parade. Brass then talks about the advancement of banking technology, the utilization of computers, and her experience as an African American bank manager. Later, Brass talks of her mentors, her faith, and the economic downturn of Jackson Street businesses in the Westside. Lastly, Brass discusses the future of the African American community in Las Vegas, the Westside, and business networking with the church community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Raymond Roberts conducted by his wife, Genevieve Roberts, on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Roberts describes his career as a musician and as a draftsman. As a draftsman, Roberts designed schools and houses for architect Julius Gabriel. Roberts also helped design road improvements and community buildings for Clark County, Nevada as a civil engineer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Norman Forsythe conducted by Bill Cunningham on March 04, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Forsythe discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and joining the City of Las Vegas and Clark County Fire Departments. He also goes into detail about fighting the fire at the El Rancho Vegas in 1960 and his responsibilities as a battalion chief. The interview concludes with Forsythe talking briefly about his family’s recreational activities and his experience as a baseball coach.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Victoria Nozero conducted by Claytee D. White on December 03, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Nozero discusses her personal history, experiences in law school, and her employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Nozero describes the committees she has been involved with at UNLV and becoming the director of User Services in the Circulation Department at Lied Library. Later, she discusses the significance of reference work, and the challenges of making information accessible. Lastly, Nozero describes changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Maheu conducted by K. J. Evans on April 19, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview, Maheu discusses Howard Hughes and attempts by Bill Gay and associates to take Hughes' business. Maheu then discusses his career in the FBI and CIA before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Finally, Maheu talks about working for Hughes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Russell K. Grater conducted by Dennis McBride on March 15 and 28, 1995 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. Grater opens his interview by discussing his upbringing on a farm in Indiana. Grater talks about his career with the National Park Service and how his mother's interest in birds guided his professional interests. He discusses the locations he has worked, including Grand Canyon National Park and Lake Mead Recreation Area. Grater describes his work classifying and studying plants. Lastly, Grater discusses his interactions with the Civilian Conservation Corps at Lake Mead.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Bearce conducted by Guy Pence on September 29, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bearce discusses some of the social and developmental changes, including the recreational activities involving swimming, going to theaters, watching stock car races, and attending Helldorado events. She also discusses some of the development of Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Carolyn MacMullen conducted by Su Kim Chung on April 21, 2014 and July 07, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In these interviews, MacMullen discusses being a dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sands, Desert Inn, and Sahara throughout the 1950s. She recalls working as a dresser and describes what it is like to be backstage during a show production. MacMullen then talks about changes in showgirl costumes, the Texas Copa Girls, and her decision to stop dancing. Lastly, MacMullen discusses living in the West Charleston area and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection