Oral history interview with Ann Ronzone conducted by Claytee D. White on July 19, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Ronzone discusses her personal history and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1946. Ronzone recalls atomic bomb testing, local organizations that she was involved in, Ronzone's department store, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Albert Purdue conducted by Claytee D. White on August 16, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Purdue begins by explaining the importance of the railroad industry and specifically the Union Pacific Railroad Company to early Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses his family's military history and the presence of the military in Nevada during the 1940s for desert training for the North African front during World War II. He gives an overview of life in Las Vegas from the 1940s to the 1960s, and discusses how the city has changed and what the future of the city may look like. Purdue talks about when the casinos of Las Vegas were controlled by organized crime and when Howard Hughes arrived and began buying properties. Purdue also discusses racial segregation in Las Vegas and the diverse peoples who live in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elliott Schecter conducted by David Schwartz on May 27, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Schecter discusses his career as a card dealer at various casinos, including Seminole Hollywood, Downstream Casino Resort, Snoqualmie Casino, Reno Hilton, and the Palms in Las Vegas. Schecter also discusses card dealing in cruise ships, including Discovery cruises, the Palm Beach Princess, and the Palm Beach Kennel Club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alexander Nicholas conducted by Saleeh Sarwar Khan on February 24, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nicholas discusses the increase in population in Las Vegas, Nevada and describes the type of crime that is most common in the city. Nicholas also describes the increase in pollution as more factories were built. Lastly, Nicholas discusses general changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pat Geuder conducted by Darryel Mayes on On April 15, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Geuder discusses in detail the changes that occurred over the years to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, from the time she was a student to the then-present date when she worked as a professor.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Adelaide Robbins conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on April 18, 2008 and April 29, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Robbins discusses her experience in piano lessons at age six and having a professional career by the age of 12. Robbins also discusses playing many Las Vegas, Nevada venues and "always [being] the only woman in the band."
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Esther Lynn conducted by Dennis McBride on August 24, 2000 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. Lynn moved to Las Vegas, Nevada from Los Angeles, California in 1976. She is a writer and editor, focusing on the Las Vegas entertainment scene, with by-lines in many local and national publications.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gertrude Rudiak conducted by Claytee White on January 11th, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gertrude Rudiak was a local civil rights pioneer, wife of George Rudiak, and has lived in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1943. She raised her five children in Las Vegas and was active in the Jewish community. In her interview Rudiak discusses Jewish life and culture in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Grayson conducted by Elizabeth N. Patrick on May 23, 1983 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview covers Grayson’s experience with gaming in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Also present during John Grayson’s interview is Billy H. Gray, a longtime gaming associate of his, who helps Grayson go into greater detail about key events.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carl Esteban conducted by William Bailey on December 2, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Esteban recalls growing up in Salinas, California in a predominantly Asian community before relocating with family to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002. As a first generation Filipino America, Esteban's mother sacrificed her life in the Philippines to become the sole person in her family to immigrate to America. Esteban received his degree in Special Education and is currently pursuing to a master's degree in the same field. Esteban is currently a special education educator at the Yvonne Atkinson-Gates Center in North Las Vegas. Throughout the interview, Esteban discusses a wide range of topics spanning from his family migration story, his early childhood, his Filipino identity, Asian stereotypes as the model minority, and how his mentors helped shape him into the person he is today.
Text