Oral history interview with Frank Martin conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 13, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Martin discusses his early life in Montana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. He recalls his initial interests in carpentry, his employment at the Nevada Test Site, and co-founding his business, Martin-Harris Construction. Martin describes building custom homes, cooperating with architectural firms on a project, and the relationship built between building owners and the construction company. Later, Martin discusses the innovation of technology and its use on the construction site. Lastly, Martin talks about the differences in working for corporations and private owners.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Deacon conducted by Elizabeth Warren on August 28, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Deacon discusses his ichthyological and environmental research around the geological formation of Devils Hole in Nevada, where he studied the Devils Hole pupfish. Deacon also describes other species of fish he studied in several different bodies of water in Nevada and his experiences over the course of those studies. He talks about how they measured population size of different fish, how species interacted with each other and responded to environmental changes, and performing ichthyological research for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with LaVerne A. Reid conducted by her daughter, Nancy Ann Reid, on March 13, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reid describes her early life living in Bunkerville, Nevada and the town's history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Darrell Luce conducted by Claytee D. White on September 28, 2003 and October 06, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Darrell Luce discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family in 1932, the history of Las Vegas, the testing of nuclear weapons, Basic Magnesium Inc., Carver Park, the construction of Hoover Dam, and businesses in early downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marjorie Pierce conducted by Andres Moses on January 17, 2006 for the Living to Dance: Tapping in Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Pierce discusses her early life in Kansas City, Missouri and becoming a dancer at a young age. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951, performing at the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino and the Dunes Hotel and Casino, and being cast in the musical
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William McCullough conducted by Pete Wahlquist on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McCullough discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931 for employment opportunities at the Boulder (Hoover) Dam. McCullough later goes into detail about the process of building the dam and what it was like to work there. Lastly, McCullough discusses the Las Vegas Strip, the hotels, and entertainers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Luther Pennington conducted by Greg Decker on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pennington discusses working on the trains for the Union Pacific Railroad Company starting in 1927 and explains the various jobs he held on the train. Pennington then describes his position as locomotive engineer and recalls his experiences. Later, he discusses train routes, stations, and the dangers of working aboard a train.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald L. Eckert conducted by Robert A. Kamp on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview Donald Eckert discusses the geographical boundaries of Las Vegas when he was first born and the types of recreation people would take part in. He then talks about the Helldorado Parade, how the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has changed, the MGM Grand Hotel fire, horse racing, changes in gaming, the Basic Magnesium plant, and the development of Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Bugbee conducted by Karol Sorrells on July 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bugbee briefly discusses his role as part of the Savings and Loan Commission in Nevada, as well as his thoughts on the above-ground atomic testing. He then talks about gaming and mining, the development of the Las Vegas Strip, and some of the biggest floods storms in the city. He mentions some of the early important community figures and talks about how Las Vegas, Nevada has grown over time, specifically in education. Bugbee later talks about the Sheriff’s Jeep Posse and eventually his thoughts on racial issues and prejudice in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Bugbee conducted by John Lopez on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bugbee discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953 and how both the population and housing have changed since then. Bugbee additionally speaks about the changes in infrastructure, including the building of roads and increased air travel. Throughout the interview, he mentions some of the various specific housing tracts that were built throughout Las Vegas. Bugbee also mentions topics such as the building of Hoover Dam, the first popular casinos in town, the Carole Lombard crash, and the MGM Grand fire. The interview finalizes with Bugbee’s thoughts on the future of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection