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 Marie Padgett conducted by Tori Ascolillo on April 30, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Padgett discusses her family moving from Arkansas to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955. Padgett discusses her involvement in local organizations including the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the Women's Council, and the Allied Arts Council. She later discusses changes in Las Vegas such as the building of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the growth of the Strip, World War II, and atomic bomb testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Myrtle Cheel conducted by an unknown interviewer on February 02, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, Mrs. Cheel discusses education in the Las Vegas, Nevada Valley. She also discusses social, economic and environmental changes, particularly the rapid transformation and growth of Las Vegas from a small town to a major metropolis.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robin Trout conducted by Phyllis McKinnon on October 17, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Trout discusses being a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trout discusses the education required to be a nurse compared to the kind of education and experience she feels a nurse actually needs. She talks about issues of malpractice in the medical field and malpractice insurance, her current work duties, and other aspects of working in the medical field.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dinah Calhoon conducted by Margaret Neel on October 27, 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Calhoon first discusses the various schools that she attended and the recreational activities and social clubs in which she belonged. Calhoon then discusses the different occupations she has had and the various parts of town in which she and her family lived. The interview later includes Calhoon’s thoughts on how she believes Southern Nevada should develop socially and recreationally, and it concludes with her recounting some of her earliest memories of 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
Oral history interview with Goldie Spicer conducted by Elmer Herren on February 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Spicer discusses working as a cocktail waitress. She also talks about the boom that Las Vegas, Nevada went through when the first casinos were being built, and when the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam occurred. She discusses El Rancho, Twin Lakes, and the Taylor Ranch.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pierre Bezard conducted by Su Kim Chung on September 7, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Pierre Bezard shares stories of his time as a stage director of Vive Les Girls! and Casino de Paris at the Dunes Hotel. He discusses working with producer Frederic Apcar and his time directing the Lido de Paris cabaret show and Ballet de Roland Petit in France.
Pierre's wife, Nadine Bezard, and friend, Ginnie Palone Mollner, also participate in the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lynn Smith conducted by Aylwin Tai on March 04, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Smith begins by discussing why he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968, his religious affiliations, and musical entertainment in Las Vegas. He talks about his family, his affiliations with different social organizations, and the expansion of Las Vegas. Smith describes the insurance industry in Las Vegas from his perspective as an insurance adjuster. He concludes by discussing how Las Vegas has changed economically and elaborates on his job responsibilities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jan Jones conducted by Dennis McBride on March 26, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Jones discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 and describes the car dealership commercials she was involved in with Kenny Kerr in the 1980s. Jones recalls the No Hate rallies that were organized in Nevada to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. She then talks about the backlash she received as Mayor of Las Vegas because of her support for the gay community.
Archival Collection