Oral history interview with Colleen Gregory conducted by Tim Waters on April 6, 1976 and April 7, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gregory first talks about her move to Las Vegas, Nevada; her early education, school activities, and her college education. She also talks about the first banks, Helldorado, the atomic testing, and environmental changes. Other topics covered include Howard Hughes, Western-style influences, the first properties on the Strip, World War II, racial prejudice, and changes she has noticed during her career in banking.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Yolanda Rayford conducted by Claytee D. White on August 11, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rayford discusses her personal history and what it was like to have a parent in the armed services during her youth. She talks about living in Tokyo, Japan while her father was stationed there and describes life on the military base. Rayford recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969 and describes the riots that were happening in West Las Vegas at the time. She goes on to talk about the entertainment on Jackson Street and discusses how Jackson Street was the downtown for the Westside community. Lastly, Rayford talks of her employment at the Nevada Test Site doing clerical work and the future of the African American community in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Edward Tabor conducted by Mary Livingston on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tabor discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1941 at the Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunnery School (Nellis Air Force Base) where he did administrative work. Tabor then discusses his work in television, sales, and recalls the growth of gambling throughout Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Heather Victorson conducted by Nancy Hardy on June 26, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Victorson discusses her early life in Nairobi, Kenya and London, England. She remembers being enrolled into the Royal Ballet School, and her experience dancing in show productions for the Royal Ballet Company. Victorson talks about winning a dancing audition that required her to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, dancing in the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Foley conducted by Irene Rostine on May 11, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Foley discusses how he and his siblings created a law dynasty in Las Vegas, Nevada as attorneys. He also discusses his time as a Nevada State senator.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Von Eisinger conducted by Marilyn Eisinger on February 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Von Eisinger discusses weather conditions of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Hoover Dam, political representation of the different regions within Nevada, hunting, fishing, and labor unions in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Francisco conducted by Joanne Goodwin on August 12, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Francisco opens her interview by discussing her early life in Arizona and California. Francisco then talks about her dance career in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting with her work at the Dunes Hotel. Francisco also discusses working for choreographer Harold Minsky. Finally, Francisco describes common dancer experiences, such as getting injured or sick.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cora Williams conducted by Kathlyn Wilson on March 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cora Williams discusses arriving in Las Vegas in 1952. She talks about working as a hotel maid and later owning a beauty shop. Williams also discusses the NAACP and housing discrimination.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Verzani conducted by James Little on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Verzani discusses his personal history and being a rancher in Searchlight, Nevada. Verzani describes life in Searchlight during the 1930s, and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Verzani goes on to describe living in Las Vegas, and how the city has changed and expanded. He also talks about the murder of Bugsy Siegel, hunting in Nevada, and his career as a truck driver.
Archival Collection