Oral history interview with Fairlaine Trousdale conducted by Lorna Blount Holmberg on February 2, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Trousdale discusses education in Southern Nevada, the Culinary Union, and changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Esther Horner conducted by Maureen Brannon in approximately 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Horner discusses the inaugural Helldorado Parade, her family’s establishment of B & H Grocery in Las Vegas, Nevada, atomic tests, presidential visits, social clubs, and the tragic death of actress Carole Lombard in a plane crash in Nevada. Horner also offers insight into religious life, the red-light districts, including the infamous Block 16, racial segregation, and gambling in the early days in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
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.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harvey N. Dondero conducted by Elizabeth N. Patrick on August 9, 1984 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview consists of Dondero's address before the Kiwanis Club during a luncheon meeting at the Fremont Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dondero gives observations on the growth of the education system in Las Vegas. He also answers questions after the address by audience members regarding the future of Nevada’s education system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Neil H. Holmes conducted by Laura Bell on February 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Holmes covers the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam and Las Vegas, Nevada’s living conditions in 1931.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marion Lindesmith conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on March 17, 1984 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lindesmith describes her unhappiness with moving to Nevada with her husband in 1942 and living in government-owned housing in Henderson, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carl Williams conducted by Claytee D. White and Kelli Luchs on April 20, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Williams discusses attending the Westside School starting in 1949. He recalls the teachers, staff, and describes the buildings as he remembers them. Lastly, Williams discusses activities held at the Westside School, community activities at the time, and his involvement with various churches.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Cope conducted by Marianne Johnson on March 15, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cope describes his occupation as distribution superintendent at the Las Vegas Valley Water District and meeting his wife who also worked for the water district as a secretary in the engineering department. Cope also mentions multiple organizations and committees that he was a part of.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elaina Blake conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 19, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Blake discusses being the first woman elected to head the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. She also discusses serving as vice chairman and chairman of the Clark County Planning Commission. Blake then talks about her involvement with the United Way, saving the YMCA from closure, and the Focus School Project in 1989. She then discusses working with major local builders such as Pageantry Homes, Heers Brothers, and Christopher Homes. Blake lastly discusses creating Blake and Associates and becoming became a real estate developer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Micheal Miller conducted by Broderick T. Ackerman on April 05, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Miller discusses arriving to Ely, Nevada in the 1920s and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1920s. Miller then discusses the businesses that he invested in and other properties that he purchased throughout his lifetime. Miller speaks about his time working on ranches and as a trapper in Northern Nevada. He also speaks about his time running nightclubs in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as seeing much growth throughout his time living in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection