Oral history interview with Kenneth W. Swallow conducted by Cynthia Brannon on March 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Swallow discusses his personal history and the history of Southern Nevada. Swallow describes moving to Boulder City, Nevada during the 1940s and his career working for the postal service. Swallow goes on to describe prominent figures who visited the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, his involvement in organizations, recreational activities, and nuclear testing. He concludes by discussing the history of Basic Magnesium Inc. and the city of Henderson, Nevada, and how Boulder City has developed and changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eleanor Scholl conducted by Ryk Galloway on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Scholl discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about the changes in Las Vegas since the 1950s, and the Helldorado parade.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Steelman conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 24, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Steelman discusses his early life and initial interests in architecture. He talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987, working with architect Joel Bergman, and designing the Mirage with Steve Wynn. Steelman remembers opening up his architecture firm, Steelman Partners LLP, and the properties they have built in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Delibos conducted by Claytee D. White on October 2, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. John Delibos discusses moving with his family from Wisconsin in 1959 to Las Vegas, Nevada and his experience being raised in a Catholic household. He then discusses graduating from Cornell University and returning to Las Vegas to work in various casino jobs. Delibos also discusses retiring from gaming and becoming a full-time interior designer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Modestina Rivera conducted by Elsa Lopez and Barbara Tabach on February 05, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Modestina Rivera starts her interview by describing her childhood in the Dominican Republic. She shares memories of her large family and their family history. Rivera recalls the political climate of the Dominican Republic at the time and shares how it affected her family. While in university, Modestina began experimenting with the fine arts, which would later become an important part of her career. She moved to New York in 1984 and began her work as an interviewer and producer. She discusses her career and how it brought her to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001. Rivera also shares her artistic career highlights and her passion for painting.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron Saccavino conducted by David Schwartz on June 17, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Saccavino recalls his career working as a casino manager in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Landmark, Lady Luck, Foxy's Firehouse, and the Paddlewheel. Ron also discusses his work at the Riviera, Hacienda, Jackpot, Royal Inn, Dunes, and O'Shea's.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leslie H. Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses his life in Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls anecdotes of the city during the 1950s and 1960s, growing up near downtown Las Vegas, and the influence of organized crime. Smith talks about starting a construction contracting firm and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dewitt Tracht conducted by Jay Brewer on April 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tracht discusses business in Southern Nevada and how the business market expanded and developed in his lifetime. Tracht lastly talks about the early techniques of advertisement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maureen Preuit conducted by Michael Johnson on March 03, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Preuit discusses her experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her experience working as a bar owner and bartender, places she resided in Las Vegas, and environmental changes that has happened during the 1960s and 1970s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jimmy Wike conducted by David Schwartz on June 02, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. Wike discusses his career as a card dealer and pit manager at casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada including the Las Vegas Club, Fremont Hotel and Casino, Stardust, MGM Grand, Landmark, Bally’s, Hilton, and Caesars Palace. Wike then recalls stories of card dealing in the 1970s.
Archival Collection