Oral history interview with Jack Melvin conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 24, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Melvin discusses his work as publicity and advertising director for the El Rancho Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada starting in 1948. He goes on to explain his methods of selling advertisements and publicity.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donna L. Miller conducted by Claytee D. White on July 15, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Miller begins by describing her early upbringing on her family's potato farm in Oregon before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses attending Las Vegas High School, joining the Rhythmettes, the school's female dance group, and her experiences in the Rhythmettes, including where she performed and the team's coach, Evelyn Stuckey. Miller also briefly discusses working as a secretary at the Sahara Hotel and Casino and real estate in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oscar Schwartz conducted by Claytee D. White on January 25, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Schwartz discusses his personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1980s. Schwartz describes being a casino dealer before becoming a comedy magician and the transition of ownership of casinos from organized crime to corporations. He talks about his career in property and real estate appraisal in Las Vegas and the methods he would use to determine the value of different possessions and estates. Schwartz also discusses his opinion on the spending of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on a new stadium, the development east of Fremont Street, and casinos wanting to build Ferris wheels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Shaddy conducted by Jennifer Riewe on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shaddy discusses gambling and the expansion of education in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shaddy also discusses Mormonism, its prevalence, and its impact on the state. Lastly, Shaddy discusses organized crime and prostitution.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louis A. Tabat conducted by Jo Anne Marshall on March 30, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tabat discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tabat describes being stationed at Nellis Air Force Base and searching for housing in Henderson, Nevada because of lack of housing in Las Vegas. He also describes his television repair business, how Las Vegas has developed and changed, and life in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Lastly, he talks about nuclear testing, being a constable for the North Las Vegas Township, and his religious affiliations.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Hanson conducted by Randy Martin on March 05, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In his interview Hanson discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history, Howard Hughes, African Americans in Las Vegas, social classes, and hotel entertainment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bill Hornbuckle conducted by Claytee D. White on December 03, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hornbuckle discusses his early life Connecticut and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1977. He talks about his initial interest in the hospitality industry, organizing venues, and becoming Chief Operating Officer of MGM Resorts International. Lastly, Hornbuckle describes the growth and future of the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Herbst conducted by Stefani Evans on August 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Herbst discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois, and his father’s chain of service stations, Terrible Herbst. He remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, taking ownership of his father’s company, and expanding the business to California and Arizona. Herbst recalls a shortage of fuel during the early 1970s, how service station owners dealt with the shortage, and converting service stations to be self-serve. Lastly, Herbst discusses the ideal location for service stations, and adjusting fuel prices.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Esther Horner conducted by Maureen Brannon in approximately 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Horner discusses the inaugural Helldorado Parade, her family’s establishment of B & H Grocery in Las Vegas, Nevada, atomic tests, presidential visits, social clubs, and the tragic death of actress Carole Lombard in a plane crash in Nevada. Horner also offers insight into religious life, the red-light districts, including the infamous Block 16, racial segregation, and gambling in the early days in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Stewart family histories
Text