Oral history interview with Augusta Newton conducted by John Harmon on October 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Newton discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1948 for her husband's job. She describes the Las Vegas Strip and its hotels and casinos, as well as the growth of Las Vegas. Newton briefly talks about gambling, organized crime, and Howard Hughes.
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 Oran Gragson conducted by Perry Kaufman on December 25, 1972 for the UNLV Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Gragson discusses his employment at Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and Basic Magnesium Plant, and eventually opening his own business in 1967. He then describes changes in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls his involvement with politics. Gragson then discusses his time as the mayor of Las Vegas and explains the challenges he faced as mayor. Lastly, Gragson describes the difference between county government and city government.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alice Waite conducted by Claytee D. White on July 14, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Waite primarily discusses her time in The Rhythmettes, a female student dance group based out of Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s. Waite describes the group's choreographer and coach, Evelyn Stuckey, her fellow Rhythmettes, and the performances they gave at Las Vegas High School and around the state. Waite also talks about her family history, what she likes about Las Vegas' downtown, and her career as a teacher.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Erma O. Godbey conducted by Dennis McBride on November 07, 1986 and November 08, 1986 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In these interviews, Godbey discusses her move from Oatman, Arizona to Needles, Nevada in 1931. She remembers the economic depression at the time, life in the desert before air conditioning or refrigerators, and her husband’s employment as a road paver. Godbey talks about living in the tent-city Ragtown (Williamsville) and moving to Boulder City, Nevada. Godbey describes early housing, the first school in Boulder City, and the money printed by Six Companies to use at their stores. Lastly, Godbey discusses the Boulder City 31ers and preserving the history of Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Douglas R. Gougar conducted by Ann Dahlheimer on November 3, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Gougar reflects on his upbringing in a farming family, and describes how that farming ethic influenced his work ethic as a school administrator. He then discusses how he decided to become a teacher, and eventually a middle school and junior high school administrator with the Clark County School District from the 1970s to the early 2000s. He describes his philosophy for establishing relationships with staff and students, and the importance of extracurricular activities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ernest Oon conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Stefani Evans, and Jerwin Tiu on February 16, 2023 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Oon recalls his childhood in Singapore, where his father worked on the Health and Sports Council for the Singaporean Government and his mother worked as a television assistant producer. Growing up, Oon recalls being very active, participating in everything from soccer to Tae Kwon Do. In an effort to continue his education without being being interrupted by Singapore's civil service program, Oon applied to college in the United States and ended up attending California State University. Although he was on the medicine track in Singapore, he switched to finance. After a series of jobs within credit banking, he is now a chief credit officer for Bank of Nevada. Throughout the interview, Oon reflects on the changes in his life living in different places, the street food from Singapore, and his unique tennis game.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Habbart conducted by David R. Patt on March 07, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview offers an overview of life in Las Vegas, Nevada in the early days, which included: atomic testing, floods, prostitution on Block 16, early Fremont Street and Duck Creek. Also discussed during this interview: Sunset Park, The Roosevelts, Bugsy Siegel, local government and the Hoover Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Verna Chadwick conducted by Keri Wright on February 24, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Chadwick first talks about her early life in Utah, and some of the activities in which she took part when first arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada. She then talks about her involvement in Cub Scouts, her church membership, political involvement, recreational activities, atomic testing, the first stores, casinos, and Las Vegas utilities during the 1950s, particularly water. The interview finalized with a discussion on social changes and the changes in prices of goods over the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cheryl Radeloff conducted by Suzanne Becker on July 27, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Cheryl Radeloff discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to accept a research position at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), then being hired as a graduate assistant for the UNLV sociology department, and finally her involvement with the UNLV Gay Straight Alliance. She also talks about receiving her PhD in 2004 and going to the American Sociological Association Job Employment Fair in 2005.
Archival Collection