Oral history interview with Joseph Gemma conducted by Dan Murphy on March 1, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gemma discusses employment opportunities, construction work, housing developments, and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. Gemma also recalls social and environmental changes, local recreation, sports, and the importance of gambling in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cecia Alvarado conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 15, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Cecia describes her personal history, moving to the United States as a teen in the year 2000. She talks of immigration, education, and her work as the State Director of "Mi Familia Vota."
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Norman Christiansen conducted by James Courtney on November 28, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christiansen describes his family, and background before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956 from Montana. Christiansen then talks about working at the Nevada Test Site and about his career as a teacher. He speaks about the various changes he has noticed over the years in Las Vegas, including those in climate, pollution, economy, occupation, and standard of living.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Monica Gresser conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 20, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Gresser discusses her upbringing in El Campo, Texas and her initial interests in architecture. She recalls attending Texas Tech University and the University of Houston, designing sustainable buildings, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001. Gresser talks about gentrification in the Las Vegas downtown area, low-income communities, and the environmental conditions in disadvantaged areas. Later, Gresser describes her focus on developing transitional housing for military veterans and unhoused individuals, hostile architecture, and the issue of poverty across the United States.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with JoNell Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White on January 12, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Thomas discusses working as an attorney with the Nevada Supreme Court, a staff attorney with a Las Vegas, Nevada firm, an adjunct professor at the law school at the University Nevada Las Vegas, and an attorney with the Clark County Special Public Defender's Office. She also discusses living in the John S. Park Neighborhood with her family since 2001.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Hill conducted by Claytee D. White on May 04, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Hill discusses being a Las Vegas, Nevada community volunteer and founding the Friends of Channel 10, Las Vegas Summer Camp Fund, and the Voluntary Action Center. She also discusses working with the Frontier Girl Scout Council, United Way, and the Home of the Good Shepherd Center Auxiliary. Hill then discusses working as a fashion consultant with William Rondina's Carlisle Collection.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold Smith conducted by Troy Durham on July 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943 and recalls his first impressions of the city. Smith also talks about his employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada. Finally, he discusses the development of Fremont Street, recreational activities, and the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roy Smith conducted by Gary Michael Buyacheic on March 13, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931 for job opportunities. Smith recalls the introduction of gambling and the impact it had on the city and throughout Nevada. Later, Smith describes the Stewart Ranch, Mount Charleston, and the growth of casinos and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Goldie Spicer conducted by Elmer Herren on February 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Spicer discusses working as a cocktail waitress. She also talks about the boom that Las Vegas, Nevada went through when the first casinos were being built, and when the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam occurred. She discusses El Rancho, Twin Lakes, and the Taylor Ranch.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gordon Reno conducted by Brian Galvin on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reno describes his early life living in Henderson, Nevada and watching the city of Las Vegas, Nevada expand over time. Reno discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam and how it was once heavily guarded, as well as Mormonism in Las Vegas. Reno also talks about being stationed at a U.S. Marine base at Lake Mead, his career as a police officer in North Las Vegas, and the Basque people and their influence in Nevada.
Archival Collection