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 Marian Oakes conducted by Bernard Kulifay Jr. on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Oakes describes her childhood after moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931, and her experience in the school system. Oakes discusses how Las Vegas has grown and the types of opportunities, jobs, and recreation that have been available to women. Oakes also discusses her career as a hairdresser and owning her own salon. Oakes goes on to describe the presence of individuals involved in organized crime around the city, as well as the presence of Howard Hughes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Andrea Gardea conducted by Barbara Tabach on June 26, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Gardea starts talking about her early life, family, and family history. She explains why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002 and why she chose to attend University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After, Gardea describes what happened before and during the Route 91 Harvest festival, what she experienced during the shooting, and her journey in escaping the scene. She talks about the aftermath of the shooting, the trauma and PTSD experienced, and her healing process. Gardea also talks about the making of Engelland’s Vegas Born Heroes Foundation in 2018, what they do, and what they represent. Lastly, she talks about her opinions on gun control and her viewpoint on making peace.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lois Sagel by Jeff Van Ee on April 4, 2009 for the Voices for Nevada's Environment Oral History Project. In this interview, Sagel describes how her upbringing in Montana and Big Bear, California gave her a deep appreciation for nature and wilderness. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada as a young wife and mother in 1958, how families would take their children to watch the above-ground nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site, and how the rapid growth and enroaching development in the city was not matched by planned infrastructure improvements. She explains how her desire to protect Nevada's environment increased as she saw developers moving toward the mountains surrounding Las Vegas, how this pushed her into the environmental justice movement, and her long association with the Soroptimists organization.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dani McLaughlin conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 14, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Dani McLaughlin discusses the October 1, 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada and how she tried to find safety with her husband and a group of friends, one of whom was shot. She talks about finding refuge in her office at Atlantic Aviation. McLaughlin mentions the different ways her life and the lives of her family members have been affected, including how her children reacted to the shooting.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elton Garrett conducted by Alan Gurwitz on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Elton Garrett discusses the development of Boulder City, Nevada, how the city has grown, his work for the Boulder City Journal, atomic testing at the Nevada Test Site, and the founders of the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Reed Phelps conducted by Kim Geary on November 02, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Phelps discusses his career working on the railroads in Nevada and California before moving to Blue Diamond, Nevada to work as a miner. Phelps describes life as a miner in Blue Diamond and the town's history. Phelps also discusses changes that occurred in the town after the Flintkote Company took over the mining operation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maxine James conducted by Danny DiGiacomo on March 2, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss the ease with which people could find jobs in early Las Vegas, Nevada. James talks about the Sahara, Thunderbird, and El Rancho casinos. The interview ends with a discussion on the rapid growth of the city in the 1950s and 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louis Evans conducted by Jeannette Lonpergan on February 17, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Evans discusses his earliest recollections of the Nellis Air Force Base and the McCarran Airport. Evans also discusses the development of roads, employment, religious activities, housing, early above ground atomic tests, and environmental changes in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jessie Emmett conducted by Irene Rostine on October 16, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Emmett discusses moving from Southern California to Nevada for her husband's job at the Nevada Test Site in 1954. Emmett goes on to discuss working at the New Frontier Hotel briefly, and her eventual decision to go into real estate. Emmett then talks about creating a real estate agent training program, and about the work environment for women real estate agents. Lastly, Emmett describes her experience running her own real estate office, and the personal satisfaction the job provided.
Archival Collection