Oral history interview with John Wittwer conducted by Perry Kaufman on May 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kaufman discusses living in Santa Clara, Utah and describes families from Switzerland migrating there as converts to the Latter-Day Saints Church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Domingo Cambeiro conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 18, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cambeiro discusses his upbringing in Havana, Cuba. He talks about his initial interests in architecture, starting his own architecture drawing service, and attending the University of Havana. Cambeiro recalls submitting a request to leave Cuba, emigrating to the United States, and arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962. Cambeiro talks about working with Las Vegas architect Julius Gabriel, obtaining his architecture license, and starting an architectural firm. Lastly, Cambeiro discusses being selected to create architectural drawings for the Thomas & Mack Center.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Matson conducted by Ken Rose on February 23, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Matson discusses his early life in Pensacola, Florida and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work in resort and housing construction in 1952. Matson also discusses his family, his part-time work as a personal security guard, and the growth of Las Vegas. Lastly, he discusses African American racial discrimination and economic opportunities in Las Vegas in the 1950s to the 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Lockhart conducted by O’Sheyon Rollins on April 17, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Lockhart discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965 after transferring to Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas). He talks of his impressions of the city at the time, his first accounting job at Southwest Gas Corporation, and his employment with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) in the 1970s. Lockhart then recalls being the first African American Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Nevada in 1977 and being appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission in 1983. Later, Lockhart discusses the process to qualify for employment as a CPA and owning a CPA firm in the 1980s. Lastly, he describes West Las Vegas businesses and shares his thoughts on the growth of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Greg Thompson conducted by Jim Colleran on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses growing up around the Crestwood neighborhood and recalls his education in Las Vegas, Nevada. He then describes the Huntridge Theater, local businesses, and the increase of casinos. Lastly, Thompson discusses fishing at Lake Mead and population growth.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Laughlin conducted by A. D. Hopkins on June 13, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview, Laughlin discusses his early life in Minnesota, his start in gambling, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952. Laughlin describes how he started his business including the process of obtaining licenses and buying property. Lastly, Laughlin talks about gaming competition in Arizona, his children, and his business' expansion.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Roth conducted by Claytee D. White on June 29, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Roth begins by describing his early life and education, then explains how he began his later career in commercial real estate. He details his work as a commercial realtor, preparing lots for shopping centers and grocery stores in California and later in Las Vegas, Nevada. Roth then discusses his work as a boxing judge, judging multiple title fights in Las Vegas and around the world. Roth describes some of the fights he has judged, such as Oscar De La Hoya versus Félix Trinidad and Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Catherine Perroitti conducted by Steven Labonte on February 27, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perroitti describes her personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada and how the city has changed over time. Perroitti describes her perception of the increase in crime and drugs present in the city over time. Perroitti discusses her work on the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board in Las Vegas and the importance of older generations, as well as her career as a registered nurse. Perroitti also discusses veterans legislation and the needs of veterans after they returned home from deployment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rita Deanin Abbey conducted by Claytee White on November 29, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. The artist and UNLV Emeritus Professor of Art discusses her early education and training in art that led her to work in sculpture, painting, stained glass, and other mediums. She also talks about her pieces created for the Jewish community in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Irving J. Foreman conducted by John Russell Foreman on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Foreman speaks about his career in the construction industry in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses the changes in the construction industry from the 1950s to the 1970s, including the machinery used.
Archival Collection