Oral history interview with William Rehn conducted by Melissa Valentine on February 15, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rehn discusses how he believes people have changed in Las Vegas, Nevada since he moved there in 1939. Rehn bemoans how African Americans were treated and segregated in Las Vegas, and describes his career as a political cartoonist. He describes clubs in Las Vegas and their connection to organized crime, as well as the inner workings of the casinos and their relation to the economy.
Oral history interview with Margaret Duncan conducted by Mustafa Adamu on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Duncan discusses discrimination on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip and the first black entertainers on the Strip like Sammy Davis Jr. She also talks about the opening of the Sands Hotel, the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, Howard Hughes, atomic testing, and gambling.
Oral history interview with Myron E. Leavitt Sr. conducted by Monique E. Kimball on September 28, 1975, October 26, 1975, and December 04, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Leavitt discusses growing up in Bunkerville, Nevada in 1895. He also describes working as a freight driver in the early 1900s. Leavitt later describes Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1920s and shares his reaction upon arrival.
Oral history interview with Linda Hartley conducted by Pauline Marchese on March 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview, the two discuss Hartley’s personal history, such as schools that she had attended and her recollection of local recreational activities. The two go on to talk about changes in crime, the environment, and briefly discuss a variety of issues at the time, including: segregated schools, prostitution, and effects of the Nevada Test Site.
Oral history interview with Thomas Barbarite conducted by Dennis Chamberland on March 03, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Barbarite discusses his time at the Four Queens Hotel and the Dunes Hotel as a dealer as well as his work as a pit boss at the Flamingo Hotel, the Aladdin Hotel, and Caesars Palace. Barbarite also discusses the involvement of the mob in Las Vegas, particularly the influence of Bugsy Siegel in the operation of various properties.
Oral history interview with Lestor Burgwardt conducted by Connie Carr on February 09, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Burgwardt covers local entertainment, Lake Mead, school districts, and gaming’s effect on the educational system. He also recalls his move to Nevada and offers a general overview of Henderson, Nevada in 1954.
Oral history interview with George Bogdanovich conducted by Gretchen Schroeder on September 08, 2009 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Bogdanovich discusses his parents immigrating from Europe to the United States and how they met. He describes the mining process for gypsum in Blue Diamond, Nevada, including transporting the mineral. Bogdanovich recalls the living conditions in Blue Diamond and how residents got their water and electricity.
Oral history interview with Jean Rambo conducted by Mary Fitzgerald on April 29, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rambo discusses her career as a nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her initial impressions and responsibilities as a nurse in Las Vegas, as well as the construction of Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital (University Medical Center). Lastly, Rambo discusses her experiences in nursing school.
Oral history interview with Joylin Vandenberg conducted by Charlie Bloom on February 09, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vandenberg discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Vandenberg then describes the plane crash that killed Carole Lombard, the opening of Boulder (Hoover) Dam with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the atomic bomb tests. Vandenberg later discusses the changes in Las Vegas, specifically the increase in pollution, population, and casinos.