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Oral history interview with John E. Erb conducted by Susan Korzennik on February 23, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Erb discusses construction work, family life, and local social, religious, and community activities in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. He also discusses being a member of the Elks Club and the Clark County Gentlemen’s Club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with J.K. Houssels Sr. conducted by an unknown collector on November 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Houssels discusses his ownership of the Las Vegas Club casino on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1930s. Houssels also discusses other casino partnerships that he invested in, and the casino business.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida Perkins conducted by Alexa Sweeny on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Perkins discusses her personal history growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Perkins talks about recreational activities she participated in, being involved in church, and living in the Windsor Park housing area in North Las Vegas. She then recalls her educational experience in Las Vegas, being involved in school sports, and West Las Vegas housing. Later, Perkins describes businesses on the Westside, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and playing on the women’s basketball team, the Lady Rebels. Lastly, Perkins discusses her contributions in forming the Foxy Ladies Organization, and also changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ricardo Jimenez conducted by Andres Moses on September 18, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jimenez discusses his personal history growing up in Los Angeles, California. He recalls visiting Las Vegas, Nevada in 1972 and describes the Las Vegas Strip at the time. Jimenez discusses his move to Las Vegas and living on the East Side during the late 1970s. Lastly, Jimenez recalls his education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, starting his own business, and entering the landscaping industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harry Myers conducted by Dan D’Amico on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Myers discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 to work at the Basic Magnesium Plant. Myers then discusses the increase in gambling and development of casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Myers later describes the social changes throughout Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles H. Finks conducted by Mildred Walker on March 04, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Finks discusses his life in West Las Vegas, Nevada. Finks also discusses the difficulties in finding a job as an African American, and the ways that African Americans had to present themselves while working in hotel or casinos on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Lappin conducted by Gordon Brusso on March 04, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss his early occupational history and his work for the Bureau of Mines. Lappin then goes on to explain the different housing systems that developed in Boulder City during World War Two.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betsy Rhodes conducted by Melinda McGeorge Thompson on February 24, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Betsy Rhodes shares a brief personal history before discussing her move to Las Vegas with her husband Leonard in 1958. She talks about her husband's dental profession, her children, and life in the early 1960s in Las Vegas. Rhodes shares details of her volunteering work with the Junior League and Assistance League of Las Vegas, detailing the groups' evolving missions, member counts, and trials faced to raise funds.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Russel Howard conducted by James W. Howard on January 10, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Howard recalls being transferred to Las Vegas, Nevada for work in 1947 and how impressed he was by the number of celebrities from the movie and entertainment industry that frequented Las Vegas in the early 1950s. He also discusses the expansion of the Las Vegas Strip and how rapidly the number of hotels grew.
Archival Collection