Oral history interview with Tom Wright conducted by Claytee White on February 14, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas History Project. Wright opens his interview by discussing his family history and his education. He then describes what the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) was like in the 1960s and his father's experiences working at the newly established university. Wright then recalls his own experiences at UNLV in the history department as a "Latin Americanist" professor and dean. He also discusses Latin American history and his dissertation about Chilean politics.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Acres conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 11, 2017, and September 28, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Acres discusses his progressive jackpot system for the Lady Luck Casino, which was also installed in the Aladdin, the Frontier, and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. Acres relates history of his work in engineering and manufacturing gaming technology and recalls how and why he sold his first company, Electronic Display Technology (EDT). Acres then discusses Acres 4.0, which develops artificial intelligence that creates customer experiences while reducing operational costs, and explains the Gen7 concept of planning solutions that will last for seven generations.
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 Dean Ishman conducted by Claytee D. White on July 02, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Dean Ishman discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995, becoming the President of the Las Vegas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 2003, and reorganizing the NAACP when he was president. He also discusses the numerous fundraisers he attended, Freedom Fund banquets, the Suave Lopez shooting, and efforts to recruit Hispanic people to the NAACP during his presidency.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sonny Reizner conducted by Jack Painter on an unknown date between 1970 and 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reizner discusses his time working at the sports book for Castaways Hotel and Casino Bowling in Las Vegas, Nevada. Reizner goes into detail about writing and managing the sports books. Later, Reizner talks about sports betting, the process, and its growth. Finally, Reizner describes the culture of sports betting and the logistics of how to succeed in the field.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Doris Evans conducted by Lance Kenny on March 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Doris Evans discusses real estate, local hotels, early transportation, and social recreation. She also talks about nuclear testing, crime, environmental changes, and marriage and family life in Boulder City, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Brinker conducted by Doug Coombs on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brinker discusses his experiences living in Southern Nevada and his career in carpentry. Brinker also discusses his background in watch repair, his move to Las Vegas, Nevada from West Virginia, his experiences in homesteading, grocery shopping in early Las Vegas, the building of his house for his family, and his various jobs and projects as a carpenter.
Archival Collection
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Oliver Crickman conducted by William Hawley on March 03, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Crickman discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and his gradual move from the position of cook’s helper to executive chef at the Royal Inn. Crickman goes into detail about the operation of Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas restaurants, the demographics of cooks, and how the hospitality and housing industries have changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Mulroy conducted by Claytee D. White on November 18, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Mulroy discusses her arrival in Las Vegas, Nevada as a University of Nevada, Las Vegas student. She also discusses water conservation for the Las Vegas Valley, becoming the general manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District from 1989 to 2014 and the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority from 1993 to 2014.
Archival Collection