Oral history interview with Bobby Morris conducted by Cork Proctor on September 07, 2004 for the Arnold Shaw Oral History Project on Las Vegas Entertainers. Morris discusses his early work in New York City, New York and working with many jazz players. He also reflects on playing at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. Morris then discusses how he became Elvis Presley’s musical director at the International Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Nancy Deaner conducted by Claytee D. White on June 05, 2018 and June 11, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Deaner talks about her upbringing in Reno, Nevada and in Las Vegas, Nevada. She remembers her father’s career in gaming, and her employment at the Mint Casino and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Later, Deaner talks about her involvement with the Shade Tree, her role as the Las Vegas Cultural Affairs Director, and public art in Las Vegas. In the second interview, Deaner discusses working with the Neon Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, and the Arts District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Burton Cohen conducted by Bill Willard on May 31, 1995 for the Arnold Shaw Oral History Project on Las Vegas Entertainers. In this interview, Cohen discusses his experiences working with the entertainment industry, booking entertainers for local shows, and lessons that he learned about successfully advertising shows to attract varieties of audiences.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Priscilla Alexander conducted by Norman Vallata on 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Alexander was born in Southern California, and in approximately 1952 Alexander relocated to Nevada with her aunt and her uncle who worked in the gambling industry. During the interview Alexander discusses gambling ships in Southern California, early above-ground atomic testing, Nevada’s gambling industry, buffets in the early days on the Las Vegas Strip, and working for Howard Hughes.
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Oral history interview with Dr. Frank Lamping conducted by Karen Bennett and Nancy Heavey on July 23, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Lamping reflects upon his roughly 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District. He discusses his opening of Thurman White Middle School, programs that were implemented such as computer classes, and challenges that were faced with curriculum changes and standardized programs. He also discusses his personal approach to education, and how his upbringing and experiences shaped his approach.
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Oral history interview with Thelma Coblentz conducted by Judith Chavez on February 17, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Coblentz discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and some of the medical services she helped to provide at Nellis Air Force Base. Coblentz later describes Downtown Las Vegas, specifically the development of the casinos and shopping businesses. Coblentz concludes with a discussion on the first physicians in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Bugbee conducted by John Lopez on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bugbee discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953 and how both the population and housing have changed since then. Bugbee additionally speaks about the changes in infrastructure, including the building of roads and increased air travel. Throughout the interview, he mentions some of the various specific housing tracts that were built throughout Las Vegas. Bugbee also mentions topics such as the building of Hoover Dam, the first popular casinos in town, the Carole Lombard crash, and the MGM Grand fire. The interview finalizes with Bugbee’s thoughts on the future of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Brooks conducted by Jeff Kennedy on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske ORal History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview Brooks discusses gaming, education, the early above-ground atomic blasts, the Boulder Dam, and social and environmental changes in Nevada. Brooks also discusses the Old Ranch, economic changes, religion, politics, family life, the Navy, sports, the railroad, Fremont Street, and the hotels on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth Hazard conducted by John Neal on March 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hazard goes in-depth about her knowledge of municipal politics and her husband’s friendships with a number of Nevada politicians. Hazard also briefly talks about her fascination with the above-ground atomic tests, speakeasies during Prohibition, and local anxieties about Las Vegas, Nevada “losing its identity.”
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Betty (Elizabeth) Krolak conducted by Irene Rostine on November 25, 1995 and September 23, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview Krolak discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in April of 1962 with her husband and six children. Krolak then discusses her unexpected entry into the real estate business and her experiences in the industry. Krolak talks about the scope of the Las Vegas real estate scene, some of its regulations at the time, and the organizations that had influence over real estate brokers. Finally, Krolak describes opening her own real estate business in 1964.
Archival Collection