Oral history interview with Robert “Bob” Brown conducted by Ian McLaughlin on February 23, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brown discusses his background in the food business working for various hotels and restaurants in the city. Brown discusses some of the developments of the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, including the opening and closing of various casinos, as well as issues relating to the increasing crime rate, rise in air pollution, and growth in population in the city. Brown also mentions some of the entertainers from the Strip such as Wayne Newton and Frank Sinatra, and he describes the various recreational activities available to Las Vegans in and around the city. The interview concludes with Brown’s discussion about how means of transportation have evolved and how the city has grown since he moved to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bernice Johnson conducted by Dan Buress on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johnson discusses her personal history and her reasons for moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Johnson describes moving between Southern California and Las Vegas while her husband worked for the railroad company. The interview concludes with Johnson recalling her memories of the Von Tobel family and the rapid population growth in Las Vegas after the construction of the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Muriel Parks conducted by Judy Drappo on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parks discusses her personal history and the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Parks discusses her career working at UNLV as the Director of Admissions and Records, and how the university has changed over time. Parks also discusses the career of Maude Frazier and their personal relationship.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Prince Spencer conducted by Claytee White on January 09, 2005 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Spencer discusses his career as a dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sands Hotel and Flamingo Hotel. He also talks about his activity in the Civil Rights Movement, work as a casino host, and participation in the Second Baptist Church in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Miguel Villarba conducted by David Islas on December 6, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
In this interview, Miguel Villarba shares his family's history growing up in Manila, Philippines and immigrating to the United States in 2016. He talks about first living in Chattanooga, Tennessee before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to be near family when Miguel was in high school. Miguel Villarba shares stories of his grandfather's farm in Pangasinan, Philippines, the differences in city and town life across Manila, Chattanooga, and Las Vegas, and his educational plans. He also talks about Filipino culture and traditions, and racial discrimination.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ryann Juden conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 23, 2016 and November 3, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Ryann Juden, an Assistant City Manager, talks about the growth of North Las Vegas under the leadership of Mayor John Lee. He shares information about Mayor Lee's partnership with Brookings Institution for real estate development and electric vehicle negotiations with Faraday Future by Dr. Qiong Liu.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Neil H. Holmes conducted by James Greene on January 14, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Holmes discusses the Boulder City, Nevada education system, family life, employment opportunities, housing, and the building of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold C. Flint conducted by Patricia McFadden on February 15, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Flint discusses unions in the casinos, prostitution, minority groups’ populations, the Nevada Atomic Test Site, education, and entertainers’ residencies.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald English conducted by Mara E. Vernon on March 12, 1997 for the UNLV Libraries Oral History Collection. English discusses his time working for the Las Vegas News Bureau. He also discusses publicity and photography work in Las Vegas, Nevada and the opportunities being in the industry afforded him.
Archival Collection