Oral history interview with Nell Jeffers conducted by Yatska Aldarondo on February 26, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jeffers discusses her work as the student and faculty counselor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also discusses some of the hardships of living in a desert, as well as her plans to move into private psychiatric practice.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mike Devere conducted by an unnamed interviewer on September 24, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Mike Devere discusses atomic testing, the Las Vegas Strip, recreational activities, and cultural changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard "Dick" Richards conducted by his son, Rick Richards, on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Richards describes his own personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Most notably, Richards describes his time working as a dealer in casinos owned by the mob and his interactions with individuals involved with organized crime.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barry Holt conducted by Lee LaVecchia on February 11, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Holt talks about the history of Southern Nevada. He specifically talks about the major changes in Southern Nevada since the 1930s, the Great Depression, and the changes in mode of transportation in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Holt speaks about the differences between growing up in Las Vegas in the fifties and sixties compared to how his children are growing up at the time of the interview. He also discusses education and the religious community in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Perle Garrett conducted by Marilyn Swanson on March 02, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Perle Garrett discusses Boulder City during the 1930s, the building of the Boulder Dam, Six Companies houses, family life, churches in Las Vegas, Nevada, and recreational activities for local children.
Archival Collection
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Priscilla Alexander conducted by Norman Vallata on 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Alexander was born in Southern California, and in approximately 1952 Alexander relocated to Nevada with her aunt and her uncle who worked in the gambling industry. During the interview Alexander discusses gambling ships in Southern California, early above-ground atomic testing, Nevada’s gambling industry, buffets in the early days on the Las Vegas Strip, and working for Howard Hughes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Abe Schiller conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schiller discusses the history of the Las Vegas Strip. He also discusses his career as the head of publicity for the Flamingo Las Vegas. Lastly, Schiller discusses working with various stars and entertainers in order to draw business to the hotel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with doctor Nancy Leveque conducted by Robin Wright on July 03, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview covers, among many wide-ranging topics, Leveque’s move to and away from Las Vegas, her career as a veterinarian, and the practice she and her then-husband built. Leveque also discusses how the city of Las Vegas has changed—environmentally and socially—, special interest groups and social activities, as well as natural phenomena. Throughout the course of the interview, Leveque provides anecdotes about prominent figures and old Las Vegas traditions, such as Helldorado.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on February 20, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses her personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956. She then talks about her employment at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital and the change to University Medical Center (UMC). Smith recalls an air conditioning business she co-owned with her husband at the time, and the activities she did as a member of Daughters of the Nile, a women's community service organization. Lastly, she discusses education and the general changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection