Oral history interview with Melissa Warren conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2015 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Warren begins by discussing her early history in Utah and how she started her career in advertising and public relations. She describes the work she has done for the Howard Hughes Corporation in coordinating the advertising for the Summerlin community in Las Vegas, Nevada before and after its construction. Warren also details how the Howard Hughes Corporation made its decisions on how to plan and structure the Summerlin community, how it handled education in the community, and various promotional events that were held for Summerlin.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard "Dick" Richards conducted by his son, Rick Richards, on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Richards describes his own personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Most notably, Richards describes his time working as a dealer in casinos owned by the mob and his interactions with individuals involved with organized crime.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise LeClair conducted by Dennis Luppens on March 21, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, LeClair talks about her family history in Nevada, and the flu epidemic of 1918. She specifically talks about Boulder (Hoover) Dam, Eldorado Fair, and how Las Vegas, Nevada has grown.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marilynne Recker conducted by Beverly Fails on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Recker discusses coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 for a brief visit and then eventually moving there in 1972. Recker further discusses her first impressions of Las Vegas and the layout of the city in the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marcus Mason conducted by Leon Green on February 04, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Mason talks about his childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada, his parents’ past occupations, and how his religious upbringing influenced his career choices as an adult.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Aquiles Garcia conducted by Claytee D. White on January 10 and February 20, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Garcia discusses the political atmosphere and risks of being gay in Juan Perón’s Argentina in the 1940s, Las Vegas, Nevada life in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and his dual Las Vegas careers as a dancer and a casino dealer throughout the second half of the twentieth century.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron M. Portaro conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 27, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Portaro speaks about Built-Rite Construction, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993, and meeting notable Las Vegas men such as Pastor Paul Goulet Arnie Adamsen, and Charlie Kajkowski. Potaro also discusses how these experiences enabled him to benefit his church, his family, and his adopted community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Emil Pahor conducted by his granddaughter, Shelley Pahor, on March 04, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pahor discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada after moving there in 1936. Pahor describes what life was like living in Las Vegas at the time and the kinds of facilities and recreation available. Pahor discusses starting his own sheet metal business, which eventually became an air conditioning business. Pahor also discusses the first radio broadcasts in Las Vegas and the shows he enojyed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Habbart conducted by Jane Finfrock on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Habbart first talks about her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1920 and her husband’s subsequent employment. She also talks about the first casinos, the development of the university campus, visits of U.S. presidents, and the Mormon Fort. She also discusses the Helldorado Parade, flash floods, snowing in Las Vegas, her role in developing Sunset Park, her family, and her education.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Virginia T. Lanier conducted by Heidi G. Hughes on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lanier discusses living on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip from the 1950s through the 1960s. Lanier then describes riding the public bus, and working in food service.
Archival Collection