Oral history interview with Catherine Hammelrath conducted by Claytee D. White on October 31, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hammelrath, a Las Vegas, Nevada native, discusses her early family life in Las Vegas, her parents professions, her education, and many stories about the people, places, and events that defined Las Vegas over her sixty-five years in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Grant Snow conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on November 16, 1982 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Snow discusses arriving to St. Thomas, Nevada in 1925. Snow also describes teaching in St. Thomas, the significance of mines to the region, and increase of local businesses.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alfred Brimacombe conducted by Kevin Cunningham on February 23, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brimacombe discusses his printing business, Las Vegas, Nevada’s railroads, and the Lion's Club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Emily McKinley conducted by Glorialyn Gutierrez on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McKinley begins by speaking about her childhood, her siblings and her extended family. McKinley gives a variety of anecdotes about being raised in Las Vegas, her family’s economic hardships and the house she grew up in. Lastly, McKinley talks about the businesses she owned with her husband, their hardships and her time working multiple jobs.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jack E. Howard conducted by Michael K. Ericksen on February 27, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Howard discusses living in Overton, Nevada and shares his personal experiences and recollections about Southern Nevada, including recreational activities, education, and early hotels and casinos. Howard’s wife, Helen Howard, is also present during this interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ellis LeFevre conducted by A. D. Hopkins on March 01, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, LeFevre discusses his early life in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as his experiences with bootlegging during Prohibition Era, and his encounters with local law enforcement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sandra Peña conducted by Lada Mead and Stefani Evans on March 27, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Peña recalls the family move to Porterville, California, and her work with Parson’s Dillingham, a contractor for the Metrolink rail system. She then discusses the link between the Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada construction communities. Peña also discusses her ability to gain employment in Las Vegas at Parson’s and her move to Richardson Construction.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Midge Innis conducted by James Thomas Griffin on May 8, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss her occupational history as well as how she met her husband. Innis discusses the changes inside casinos and gambling. The interview concludes with Innis’ thoughts on environmental and social changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carole Vilardo conducted by Derek Armstrong and Claytee D. White on August 11, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Vilardo discusses the implementation of a sales tax to further fund education in Nevada. She then describes her first legislative session in 1973 and describes Nevada property taxes. Later, Vilardo explains the significance of taxes and how changes in tax rates are made. Lastly, Vilardo recalls lobbying for certain bills and explains the tax structure in Nevada at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pete Berger conducted by David Schwartz on June 14, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Pete Berger discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 after serving in the United States Air Force in California. He talks about his career working as a pit boss at over a dozen Las Vegas casinos , other positions he held, and the people he met throughout his career.
Archival Collection