Oral history interview with Ann Lynch conducted by Emily Powers on May 27, 2008 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. In this interview Ann Lynch discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, being camp director for the Girl Scout program at Mount Charleston, and being highly involved with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), not only at the local level, but at the state level as well. She also discusses being elected as Nevada PTA President, being one of the founding members of the Sunrise Hospital Children's Foundation and the Public Education Foundation, and lobbying in the Nevada State Legislature and in Washington, D.C.
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 William Verzani conducted by James Little on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Verzani discusses his personal history and being a rancher in Searchlight, Nevada. Verzani describes life in Searchlight during the 1930s, and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Verzani goes on to describe living in Las Vegas, and how the city has changed and expanded. He also talks about the murder of Bugsy Siegel, hunting in Nevada, and his career as a truck driver.
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 Edythe Katz conducted by Walter Duttweiler on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Katz discusses the Jewish community, Ralph Denton, atomic testing, and integration in movie theatres.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu (Nelson) Tomiyasu conducted by Samantha Kerwin on April 30, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tomiyasu discuses life, changes, and politics in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tomiyasu also talks about the organizations he was a part of, including The Southern Nevada Landscaping Contractors Association, and The Southern Nevada Urban League. The interview concludes with Tomiyasu recalling the above ground atomic test, and World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Carolyn MacMullen conducted by Su Kim Chung on April 21, 2014 and July 07, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In these interviews, MacMullen discusses being a dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sands, Desert Inn, and Sahara throughout the 1950s. She recalls working as a dresser and describes what it is like to be backstage during a show production. MacMullen then talks about changes in showgirl costumes, the Texas Copa Girls, and her decision to stop dancing. Lastly, MacMullen discusses living in the West Charleston area and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Allin Chandler conducted by Claytee D. White on December 9, 2002 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Allin Chandler discusses his education and career history, including being a teacher and educational administrator in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1968-1990 as well as being a part of the Clark County Association of School Administrators (CCASA). Chandler also discusses the instructional philosophy that he follows and the originators of it. Other topics discussed are developments in education, personal writing and public speaking skills, instructional leadership, school administration, and parental responsibilities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dolly Kelepecz conducted by Claytee D. White on April 29, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kelepecz discusses her career as a ballet dancer, a performer in a circus, and a showgirl and dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada, especially in the Lido at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. She also discusses her time as a model, a pilates instructor, and running the Opus Dance ensemble. Kelepecz then discusses teaching a class at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roosevelt Toston conducted by Claytee D. White on July 11, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Toston discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and his various careers at the Test Site, Bell Telephone of Nevada, as a television anchorman and cameraman, and the Convention and Visitors Authority to bring conventions to Las Vegas. He also talks about ways African American entrepreneurs might get involved in the convention business.
Archival Collection