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Violet Tracht oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01841

Abstract

Oral history interview with Violet Tracht conducted by Joyce Moore on January 09, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Tracht discusses life in Southern Nevada during the 1920s to 1940s. Tracht describes living in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Westside and what the city was like before there was any major development on Fremont Street or the Las Vegas Strip. She also describes living in Boulder City, Nevada, and her husband's grocery store business. Tracht also talks about prominent stores in Las Vegas during the time, her family history, and their recreational activities.

Archival Collection

Ruth Gust oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00755

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ruth Gust conducted by Rebecca Bonenfant on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gust discusses about her life in Nevada. Gust first talks about her original move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947 and some of the first businesses that existed at the time. In this brief interview, she also talks about the first casinos, the culinary union, her employment as a server, and Mount Charleston.

Archival Collection

Russell Howard oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00898

Abstract

Oral history interview with Russel Howard conducted by James W. Howard on January 10, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Howard recalls being transferred to Las Vegas, Nevada for work in 1947 and how impressed he was by the number of celebrities from the movie and entertainment industry that frequented Las Vegas in the early 1950s. He also discusses the expansion of the Las Vegas Strip and how rapidly the number of hotels grew.

Archival Collection

William Star oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01757

Abstract

Oral history interview with William Star conducted by Tony Morneau on September 15, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Star discusses moving from Brooklyn, New York to Henderson, Nevada in 1955. In 1959, Star moved from Henderson to Las Vegas, Nevada to run a family-owned pawn shop. Star goes into detail about atomic bomb testing, the growth of Las Vegas, and gambling.

Archival Collection

Lloyd Bell oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00106

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lloyd Bell conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 12-13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview begins with Bell discussing advancements in technology have affected police relations with the community, particularly in the context of the transition from “beat” policing to vehicle patrol. Bell also discusses the advantages and disadvantages between having an elected sheriff versus an appointed police chief. The interview continues into a discussion of county licensing requirements as they relate to businesses and the influence of organized crime. Bell additionally discusses specific organized crime figures and prostitution.

Archival Collection

Frances Faye oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03474

Abstract

Oral history interview with Frances Faye on December 30, 1974 with an unknown interviewer for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.

In this interview, Frances Faye shares memories of performing as a cabaret singer in the 1930s. She talks about her entertaining career at several clubs in New York and various other locations including the Yacht Club, the Hickory House, Club Calet, and other venues. Faye recalls songs she wrote and performances across the United States including those in Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Las Vegas, Nevada; and various locations within California. Faye reminisces with the interviewer about people they know in show business and briefly recounts a hip injury she sustained at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, causing her to stop performing for over nine years.

Archival Collection

Phyllis Syzdek oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03590

Abstract

Oral history interview with Phyllis Syzdek conducted by an unknown fifth grader on April 24, 2009 and is part of the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. Syzdek opens her interview by discussing her childhood during the Great Depression, and moving around the United States often as her father searched for work. She then talks about moving to a small farm town in Colorado for her high school years. Sydek then recalls December 07, 1941 and where she was when she found out about the Pearl Harbor bombing. She remembers that her town had a considerable Japanese American population but they were not sent to internment camps because of their farm work. She then describes how World War II affected her, how young people helped the war effort, and her sister's service in the United States Marine Corps. Syzdek then discusses what life was like in the 1940s, how much things cost during that time, and what she remembers from when she was in 5th grade. Lastly, Syzdek talks about her adult life and family.

Archival Collection

Frank Fahrenkopf oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03933

Abstract

Oral history interview with Frank Fahrenkopf conducted by Tony Batt on October 14 through 21, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Fahrenkopf begins by recalling his childhood in New York and later moving to Nevada with his father and sister. Following graduation from the University of Nevada, Reno, Fahrenkopf earned a law degree from the University of California in Berkeley. Fahrenkopf details his career as a lawyer, being chairman of the Nevada Republican Party, and his close relationship with Paul Laxalt, and his appointment as chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1983 by Laxalt’s best friend, President Ronald Reagan. He also details how he created the American Gaming Association.

Archival Collection

Claude N. Warren oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01917

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dr. Claude N. Warren conducted by Claytee D. White on March 1, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview, Warren discusses his early life in Washington state and some of the hardships his family encountered. Warren then talks about the city of Seattle, Washington and he expresses his general admiration for the western United States. He speaks about his time as a graduate student and working at University of California, Los Angeles. He then explains the different types of archaeology, including cultural resource management and academic archaeology. Warren then describes his career path, different academic positions he was offered, and his time as a professor in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Anthropology Department. Lastly, Warren briefly discusses UNLV past presidents Zoran and Maxson and his thoughts about the future of the university.

Archival Collection

Emma Oliver oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01414

Abstract

Oral history interview with Emma Oliver conducted by Jan Marshall on March 19, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Oliver discusses her personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Oliver discusses how Las Vegas has changed, casinos in Las Vegas, the Mormon Church, and the race riots at a shopping center in North Las Vegas in 1968. Oliver also discusses race relations between white and African American children in schools.

Archival Collection