Oral history interview with Calvin Leavitt conducted by Patricia van Betten on March 09, 2007 for the History of the Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Leavitt discusses his birth in Mesquite, Nevada at his family's dairy farm, and goes into detail about his schooling in Mesquite. Leavitt describes his family's dairy farm and their conversion from a Grade B to a Grade A farm. He then details his summers spent working odd jobs at the Blue Diamond mine in the summers of 1950 and 1951. Leavitt primarily discusses his outdoor hobbies, namely hunting, fishing, trapping, and rockhounding. He also describes his reasons for moving to Blue Diamond in 1995.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth J. Kiley conducted by Claytee D. White on January 24, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kiley discusses her personal history and living in the Eastwood neighborhood in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes local restaurants that were popular during the mid 1960s, the development of downtown Las Vegas, and race relations in the 1960s. Lastly, Kiley recalls attending and graduating from Rancho High School in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Phillip B. McVey conducted by Carl Amante in approximately 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, McVey discusses his ancestors moving to Nevada between 1867 and 1868 and his birth in Eureka, Nevada. McVey describes graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, working as a land and water surveyor throughout Nevada, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in approximately 1960. Other interview topics include visiting the Las Vegas Mormon Fort with Jim Cashman, Sr., public transportation, environmental and noise pollution, and social acceptance toward minorities within Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Gubler conducted by Suzanne Becker on December 29, 2008 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Gubler discusses his parents moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 and growing up in the John S. Park Neighborhood. He then discusses becoming a lawyer and moving back to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lee Martin conducted by Dennis McBride on May 01, 2013 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Martin discusses his involvement with the Nevada Gay Action League and the Pacifica Hotel, an effort to open a gay resort in Las Vegas, Nevada during the mid 1980s. He describes managing Paradise Bookstore, a bookstore for gay literature, in downtown Las Vegas. Lastly, Martin discusses other gay businesses that he was involved with in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gerald Price conducted by Mike Labrum on October 23, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Price discusses his personal history and experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes his career as a dealer in casinos, prominent celebrities visiting Las Vegas, and his recreational activities. Price also talks about nuclear weapons tests, how Las Vegas has changed, and gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fredric “Rick” Watson conducted by Mark Romonoski on April 19, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Watson reflects upon his more than 30-year career with Nevada’s Clark County School District as a teacher and administrator from 1964 to 2000. He describes the process by which he became an elementary school principal, and discusses his personal approach to education. He describes challenges that he faced at different elementary schools, discusses political challenges within the school district, and comments on having a school named after him.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vera Love conducted by Sophia Phillips on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Love talks about real estate development in Las Vegas, Nevada. She specifically talks about the role of women in real estate and business ownership, schools, and city growth in early Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jack Melvin conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 24, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Melvin discusses his work as publicity and advertising director for the El Rancho Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada starting in 1948. He goes on to explain his methods of selling advertisements and publicity.
Archival Collection