Oral history interview with Isabelle Rice conducted by Angela Tampol in November 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Rice discusses her childhood in moving around the United States as a child in a military family until settling down in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2018. She reflects on the concept of a "model minority" and shares her experiences with racism and stereotypes that surround that idea. Rice also reflects on her memories of Taiwan, her grandparents, and her family.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Pomeroy conducted by Jackie Ogden on March 23, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pomeroy discusses her personal history, education in Las Vegas, Nevada, and labor unions. She then describes Nevada politics, specifically being active with political campaigns. Later, Pomeroy discusses gambling and its significance to the Las Vegas economy, along with the consequences that come with gambling. Lastly, Pomeroy recalls social life, recreational activities, and her employment in the hospitality industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Samanthia Kerwin on March 11, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tomiyasu discusses his family life, being raised on a farm, and enlisting in the United States Army some time between 1940 and 1944. Tomiyasu talks about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and witnessing changes in the city including hotel and casino construction and change in ownership. Tomiyasu describes transportation in Nevada and people moving to Las Vegas for job opportunities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Warren V. Turner conducted by Arnol D. Wilks on March 10, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Turner discusses arriving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1948 while working for the Bureau of Reclamation. Turner recalls aboveground testing of atomic weapons at the Nevada Test Site and describes the magnitude of the blasts. Turner also describes the development of Las Vegas, Nevada, specifically the growth in population, casinos, and hotels. Turner later discusses the natural environment surrounding the Las Vegas valley.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Garland Ronnow conducted by Bertrand Giry on February 11, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ronnow discusses his personal history after moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Panaca, Nevada in 1923. Ronnow describes the first general store in Las Vegas, which his family owned. Ronnow describes how Las Vegas has grown since he first moved there, as well as the different businesses he helped his father run.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise Kirkwood conducted by Richard Probst on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Kirkwood discusses her life in Southern Nevada and her experience with navigating Las Vegas, Nevada as streets and buildings, home values, and living expenses changed over time. Kirkwood also discusses the energy crisis of the 1970s and the resulting gasoline rationing; the growth of the Strip, and pollution caused by atomic testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Margo Knowles conducted by Sonny Neighbors on March 25, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Knowles discusses jobs, governors, her family, and African American life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Margo speaks about growing up and going to school in Las Vegas. She also discusses her work as a telephone operator in Las Vegas, and at the Nevada Test Site in Nye County, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with J. Harold Tilton conducted by David M. Hollic on February 21, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tilton discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1925. He then describes the development of Las Vegas and recalls the expansion of the city in both the north and west. Lastly, Tilton discusses the construction of homes in undeveloped desert land, as well as environmental and social changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harry Brown conducted by James Hopkins for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview, Brown describes some of his experiences from being in the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, the equivalent of a modern search and rescue team, which was deputized by the sheriff. Brown additionally describes the tradition of the Helldorado parades, in which he was a part, and he provides his overall thoughts on living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wendell Bunker on October of 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wendell Bunker (b. 1911 in St. Thomas, Nevada), discusses early Las Vegas, Nevada and the socio-economic changes that have taken place in the Valley. Bunker talks about the Boulder (Hoover) Dam and religion and education in Nevada. He also describes working for the Union Pacific Railroad and the importance of the railroad to the economic development of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection