Oral history interview with Jocelyn Oats conducted by Claytee D. White and John Grygo on November 30, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Oats discusses her family background and living in Las Vegas, Nevada since the mid 1950s. She describes the city at the time, the Baptist church community, and the church's influence on African Americans in West Las Vegas. Later, Oats talks about the issue of drugs in the Westside community and how it has affected members in her family. Lastly, Oats describes the African American experience in Las Vegas throughout her life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Esther Wolverton conducted by Karl Kuopus on February 25, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Wolverton discusses her move to southern Nevada in 1928 and her life in Las Vegas, Nevada with her family. She also talks about life with her husband after he returned from serving in World War I. Wolverton describes the entertainment in Las Vegas and recreational activities she participated in. Later, she discusses the first Helldorado Parade, development of the Las Vegas Strip, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Suzette Cox conducted by Andrew Lazarus on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Suzette Cox discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She then discusses her careers in the police departments and a local newspaper company. Topics also included racial discrimination, sports, and how the development of the Strip influenced her life while attending school in Las Vegas, as well as its relation to tourism and aboveground atomic testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wendell Leavitt conducted by Quincy Vineyard on July 15, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Leavitt discusses growing up in Bunkerville, Nevada and the significance of politics in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leavitt later discusses his role as Justice of the Peace in Bunkerville, the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and mining.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert M. Tubb conducted by Robert B. Grzywacz on March 01, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tubb discusses moving to Nevada in 1907. He describes his early life and his father's career on the railroad, as well as the time he spent living in Ash Meadows Spring, Nevada and Death Valley. Tubb also goes into detail about his education and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Scott conducted by Stephen M. Magee on April 29, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Scott discusses his personal history living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1940. He then describes life in Las Vegas and the growth in both population and infrastructure. Later, Scott discusses the Las Vegas economy, the Helldorado Parade, and describes the above ground nuclear bomb testings.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eugene Perry conducted by Anneliese McKenna on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perry discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Denver, Colorado in 1955. Perry discusses his career as a dealer in the Golden Nugget and other Las Vegas casinos. Perry also describes how Las Vegas has benefited economically from gambling and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bernice Reid conducted by Brenda Sawyer on March 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Reid describes life in Nevada after moving there in 1926 and the challenges she and her ex-husband faced trying to breed chinchillas on their ranch on Mount Charleston. Reid also discusses the development of Las Vegas, Nevada, seeing President Hoover speak at the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, and the nuclear weapons tests.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harry Wham conducted by Martha Mast on March 07, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wham discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954 as an entertainer at the Silver Slipper Casino. Wham then talks about underwater diving and his experiences as a professional diver. Wham later recalls discovering jellyfish and other marine animals at Lake Mead during one of his diving trips. Lastly, Wham discusses the changes that Las Vegas went through, specifically changes in live entertainment around the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elbert Edwards conducted by Layne Covington on October 16, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Edwards first talks about his family background before talking about what it was like to live in Panaca, Nevada. Edwards later talks about his wife’s and his political involvement, and his involvement in education. He then discusses Hoover (Boulder) Dam, his job as a registrar in the Selective Service, and the effects that the World War II years had on Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection