Oral history interview with Edward Butera conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on July 28, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Butera discusses moderating an American Institute of Architects (AIA) panel entitled "A City Growing Up" and working as a mechanical engineer for JBA Consulting Engineers. He goes into detail about his first casino project, Stardust Hotel and Casino, and working on all Steve Wynn properties in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Verilee Shelbourne conducted by Mark Simons on March 07, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shelbourne discusses her personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shelbourne discusses prominent figures who have visited Las Vegas, her personal and political involvements, and nuclear weapons tests. Shelbourne also discusses how Las Vegas has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth Johann conducted by Gloria Banks on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johann discusses the origin of his business and early land prices in Southern Nevada. Johann also explains the history of his investments and how land development progressed in Las Vegas, Nevada from the 1950s onward.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hank Kovell conducted by Patrick F. Smith on September 26, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Kovell briefly discusses his life in Northern California before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in July 1956, where he would open and run a Las Vegas, Nevada advertisement agency, Kovell Inc., between 1964 and 1969. He then discusses his company's publications of political campaigns, Las Vegas casino publicity, and his work as a public relations director in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kathleen Fuson conducted by Lance Goss on March 04, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fuson discusses her life in Las Vegas, Nevada including her employment history, her knowledge about the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, the desert’s flora and fauna, and the education system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Laralee Nelson conducted by Claytee D. White on April 20, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project Oral History Project. Nelson discusses her career as a cataloger at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries from 1982 to 2010. She also discusses witnessing monumental changes in the library such as changes in leadership, a move from the old Dickinson Library to the new Lied Library, and the impact of the technology on the campus.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vera Renteria conducted by Dan West on February 11, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Renteria discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1928 in search of job opportunities and talks about the various jobs she held. Renteria then describes the Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam), recreational activities, and wildlife around the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steve Hobbs conducted by Howie Basuk on February 17, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hobbs describes the different sports he was in and includes the various rewards and championships he accomplished. Hobbs also talks about becoming general manager of Olympian Incorporated.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Myram Borders conducted by Mara E. Vernon on April 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Borders discusses her work as a United Press International (UPI) reporter after her graduation from the University of Nevada, Reno. Borders describes her administrative experiences with the UPI bureau in Las Vegas, Nevada, difficulties regarding news photography and Nevada statutes, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the Las Vegas News Bureau, Las Vegas tourism, and influential figures in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Sparrow conducted by Robert Tolbert on March 20, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sparrow discusses her career as a telephone operator and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sparrow describes her duties as an operator before the advent of the dial system, the growth of Las Vegas, and life in the city during the 1950s.
Archival Collection