Oral history interview with John West conducted by Claytee D. White on August 10, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, West discusses his family background and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954. West describes his educational experiences in Las Vegas and his career as a clinical psychologist. He recalls his father’s career in medicine and becoming the first African American licensed medical doctor in Las Vegas. West then talks about attending entertainment events before race integration was introduced, and the voting patterns in West Las Vegas. Lastly, West discusses his father’s decision to remain living in West Las Vegas and operating his medical office there after integration.
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 Darwin Lamb conducted by David Blanton on October 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Lamb discusses his early life living in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and various United States presidents who visited Las Vegas. Lamb also discusses his involvement in politics as a Clark County Commissioner, Las Vegas economics, and the growth and change of the hotel and casino industry over time.
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 Verlean Whitley conducted by Jasmine Smith on November 26, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Whitley talks about her parents and upbringing in Arkansas and traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada by bus in her late teens to live with relatives. She continues discussing her marriage and work, her church and community activities, and efforts to encourage voting in the late 1960s. She also mentions her involvement with the NAACP, her concerns about the closure of F Street in 2008 and her hopes for the revitalization of the Westside community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mabel Newton conducted by Don C. Bittle on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Newton discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. Newton discusses living in Henderson, Nevada. Newton also talks about growth in housing, flooding, and overall changes in Henderson.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen D. Newman conducted by Keri Morgan on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Newman discusses her early life and why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses changes in the city from housing developments to growth in education due to the construction of additional schools and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also discusses the construction of new hotels and resorts. Newman later describes the growth of the Girl Scouts in Las Vegas.
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 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
Oral history interview with Joseph LaVoie conducted by Stephanie Gillson on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, LaVoie discusses being a police officer in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1945 to 1966, as well as life around the city at the time and its expansion. LaVoie also discusses the nearby nuclear testing.
Archival Collection