Oral history interview with Madeleine and Will Bradley conducted by Claytee D. White on October 11, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Madeleine Bradley and her son Will discuss their familial ties to Henry Benjamin Cave, a Confederate soldier, by his widow Daisy Cave. Madeleine and Will talk about the Civil War, life in South Carolina compared to Nevada, and Will's occupation as a pilot. Will also shares his experiences with the military and serving during Operation Desert Storm.
Subjects discussed include: Confederacy; Daisy Cave; Civil War pension.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Inez Rambeau conducted by Jane Ellsworth Olive on March 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Rambeau begins by discussing her family's history in gambling, specifically how her family ran a casino in Louisiana before it was legalized there. Rambeau then discusses her career as the director of sales at the Riviera Hotel & Casino and the convention sales business, as well as efforts to transform Las Vegas into a convention city. She also talks about her boss, Elmo H. Ellsworth, and how he generated interest in Las Vegas with clients and encouraged the city's development.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Corrine Sidney conducted by Claytee D. White on June 05, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Corrine Sidney discusses her life as an actress, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a showgirl at the Sands Hotel and Casino, moving back to Los Angeles, California, marrying George Sidney, and moving back to Las Vegas with George.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Bryan conducted by Stephen Kulifay on February 20, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Patricia Bryan discusses her education at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Northwestern and her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. Bryan also discusses her family’s involvement in the soda bottling industry and eventual involvement in real estate. She goes on to describe a wide range of topics including the first hotel properties in the city, the entertainers at the time, minority communities, the railroad, shopping, and housing. She also discusses the popularity of Las Vegas, with a focus on tourists and gaming. Digital audio and transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gretchen Braner conducted by Stacey Skidmore on November 24, 2009 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Braner reflects back on her career as a teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District from the 1980s to the early 2000s. Braner discusses the process by which she trained to become a school administrator, which portions of the training were most beneficial, and the importance of life experiences in shaping her philosophy of education. She describes her regular job responsibilities, and explains the importance of balancing work priorities to avoid burnout. She also discusses the importance of fostering relationships with students and staff to make school administration meaningful.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Monica Gresser conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 20, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Gresser discusses her upbringing in El Campo, Texas and her initial interests in architecture. She recalls attending Texas Tech University and the University of Houston, designing sustainable buildings, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001. Gresser talks about gentrification in the Las Vegas downtown area, low-income communities, and the environmental conditions in disadvantaged areas. Later, Gresser describes her focus on developing transitional housing for military veterans and unhoused individuals, hostile architecture, and the issue of poverty across the United States.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ricki Barlow conducted by Claytee D. White on April 10, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Barlow discusses his work being a Las Vegas city councilman for the Westside community, Ward 5. He also talk about how he grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. More topics that Barlow discusses include school, politics and his vision for the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pete Menefee conducted by Su Kim Chung on April 14, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Menefee begins the interview by talking about his childhood in San Diego, California, where he took dancing classes starting at the age of ten. He discusses working as a dancer on shows starring Dick Van Dyke, Terry Gar, Goldie Hawn, and Elvis. Menefee recalls working in shows and musicals including Bye Bye Birdie, Fair Lady, and Viva Las Vegas. He describes his evolution as a costume designer and stage designer from his childhood creating miniature stages of Disney shows to creating costumes for shows on the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada. He also talks about surviving the MGM Grand fire in 1980.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Ronzone conducted by Terrence R. Black on October 20, 1972 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Ronzone discusses his upbringing in Manhattan, Nevada and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1929. He talks about his involvement in local politics, campaigning for Clark County Commissioner, and political changes in Southern Nevada. Ronzone describes recreational activities he participated in, above ground atomic bomb testing, and the increase of tourism to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Norton conducted by Sergio Pellegrino on April 3, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project.
In this interview, Paul Norton discusses his life in Henderson, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada from 1952 onward. He shares details of his work at Basic Magnesium Inc. (BMI) and at mills around the Valley. Norton talks about his opposition of the MX missile, in contrast to his opinions about atomic testing in Nevada. He also discusses the businesses that operated from 1950 to 1980, how the Las Vegas Strip was constructed, details of Fremont Street and the I-15 freeway, and flooding that was particularly destructive in Henderson.
Archival Collection