Oral history interview with Priscilla Alexander conducted by Norman Vallata on 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Alexander was born in Southern California, and in approximately 1952 Alexander relocated to Nevada with her aunt and her uncle who worked in the gambling industry. During the interview Alexander discusses gambling ships in Southern California, early above-ground atomic testing, Nevada’s gambling industry, buffets in the early days on the Las Vegas Strip, and working for Howard Hughes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on February 20, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses her personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956. She then talks about her employment at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital and the change to University Medical Center (UMC). Smith recalls an air conditioning business she co-owned with her husband at the time, and the activities she did as a member of Daughters of the Nile, a women's community service organization. Lastly, she discusses education and the general changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Reithal Urioste conducted by Mary K. Keiser on January 20, 2006 for the Living to Dance Oral History Project: Tapping in Las Vegas. In this interview, Urioste discusses her early life in Burbank, California and her career in dancing. She talks about the various dancing styles that she learned and her introduction to tap dancing. Urioste remembers touring around the world and performing at different hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Al Levy conducted by Cheryl Caples and Martha Zehnder on February 23, 1979 and March 8, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Levy discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history, notably Jewish discrimination in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise Madden conducted by Jerry Masini on July 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Madden discusses her personal history and recalls her various occupations in Las Vegas, Nevada casinos. Madden also discusses the changes in the casinos and the Las Vegas Strip while Las Vegas, Nevada grew in population.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Bilbray conducted by Claytee D. White on September 06, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Jim Bilbray discusses his attendance at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) right after it was founded. He also discusses how he helped found the alumni association, became a member of the Board of Regents, and his current career as a lawyer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Margaret Barnett conducted by Tina Weiss in 2005 for the UNLV Women's Studies Veteran Oral History Project. The interview covers Barnett's service in the United States Airforce during the Korean War. Print draft transcript available; no audio available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Wilson conducted by Patricia Conerly on March 23, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Wilson discusses her personal experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada as an African-American woman living in Las Vegas in the 1950s and onward.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lela Holliday conducted by Jeff Stewart on February 29, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Holliday discusses her family background, growing up in Oklahoma, and eventually arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1944. Holliday then describes early Las Vegas, the rapid growth of the city, and Las Vegas climate.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leo Dunbar conducted by Dennis McBride on June 16, 1986 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In this interview, Dunbar gives a brief history of the Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau of Land Management) and the beginning of his life-long career with that agency, first working on two major projects in Colorado. He then discusses how The Six Companies won their bid to build the Hoover Dam, the establishment of the federal reservation that would house Boulder City, and the growth and development of both the city and the dam project.
Archival Collection