Oral history interview with Sam S. Earl conducted by Laura Button on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses the family’s early residence in a tent and their religious participation. He also discusses welfare benefits, gambling, the first members of the police force, and the Helldorado parade. Earl then talks about his work on the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, as a building contractor, and as a truck driver.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Erbe conducted by Marcela Yepes on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Erbe discusses his educational background, his first teaching position as a fifth grade teacher, and his military experience. He also talks about church activity, politics, and social activities in Las Vegas, Nevada. Erbe also discusses his views on the educational system, his experiences as a principal, and some challenges he encountered at the administrative level.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Byron Thornton conducted by Kay Harris on October 27, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thornton discusses his personal history and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931. Thornton then recalls working for the Las Vegas Gas Company and starting his own concrete business. Lastly, Thornton describes installing petroleum gas tanks and pipes inside of homes used for testing atomic bombs at the Nevada Test Site and recalls the destruction caused by the explosions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Julie McDonald conducted by Michael Richardson on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McDonald describes life in Las Vegas, Nevada after moving there in 1956, as well as the city's layout. McDonald also passionately describes the complexities, perks, and pitfalls she faced while working as a card dealer in various casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lomie Heard conducted by Stephen M. Singer on February 09, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Heard discusses education over the span of thirty years, and includes an overview on the building of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also discusses Nellis Air Force Base, jet airplanes at Nellis, military families, and the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Manix conducted by Sherry O’Neil on October 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Helen Manix shares her experiences in Boulder City, Nevada as the owner of the first department store. Manix discusses the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada as gambling became legal.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Forbuss conducted by Suzanne Becker on February 12, 2009 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. In this interview, Forbuss discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history while sharing childhood memories of the neighborhood. He also discusses his mother buying a home in 1944 in the Huntridge development, adjacent to the John S. Park Neighborhood and living there for the rest of her life. He then mentions her owning a dry cleaning business, which he later owned.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Pavlikowski conducted by Jay Brewer in 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pavlikowski discusses his career in politics and as a district judge after his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s. Pavikowski describes his time at Nellis Air Force Base while he served in the U.S. Air Force. Finally, he talks about changes throughout Las Vegas, specifically economic, environmental, and legal changes regarding gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kirk Kerkorian conducted by K.J. Evans on February 10, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview Kirk Kerkorian discusses Howard Hughes and Jerry Williams and how they were two men who he respected and learned from. He also talks about how Jerry Williams introduced him to Las Vegas, Nevada. He then discusses how he was ecstatic when he saw Las Vegas for the first time and how he helped build Bally's, The International, and the MGM Grand Hotel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward C. Perkins conducted by Judith Plaster on November 03, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perkins discusses his personal history after moving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1942 following his employment by the United States Bureau of Mines. Perkins discusses the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada and magnesium's uses during World War II, gold mines in California and Nevada, and other mining operations throughout the state of Nevada. Perkins also discusses his career with the United States Bureau of Mines and life in Boulder City.
Archival Collection