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 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 Carl F. Kelley conducted by James M. Greene on May 02, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kelley discusses moving to Nevada and describes living in Boulder City, Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada and Henderson, Nevada. The interview concludes with an in-depth discussion of the Civilian Conservation Corps activities in Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Karen Carmichael conducted by Stefani Evans on December 9, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
In this oral history Carmichael discusses the world of professional dancing in the 1970s through the 1990s. She discusses her start in the industry and a variety of Las Vegas shows she participated in including: the Union Plaza Can Can, the American Dream Festival, Dasin’ Dirdy, and Babes Ahoy. She also goes into great detail behind her vision for Skyline, her adagio act, and the many celebrities she encountered throughout her career.
Carmichael also discusses her second career in jewelry design, and her experiences working with art galleries on the Las Vegas strip. She details the experiences of starting off at traveling art festivals, working her way up to award winning designs, and the art of jewelry photography. She also discusses the process of researching and publishing history for her book. She ends the interview with a discussion of what it means to be an artist and role of creativity in her life and those around her. She also discusses the ways in which others such as Betty Francisco, Hedy Jo Star, Debbie Reynolds and Sammy Davis Jr. had shaped her life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nancy Williams conducted by Joyce Marshall on June 13, 1996 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Williams talks about her early life and career as a dancer. She describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1948, organized crime in Las Vegas casinos, and segregation of African American entertainers at the time. Williams remembers riding horses to and from casinos, the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) union, and early showgirl costumes. Lastly, Williams talks about retiring from dancing and establishing a school of dance in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Flora Jones conducted by Claytee D. White on July 19, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Flora Jones discusses getting a job at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), in the admissions office. She then discusses her work environment, the UNLV Campus, downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, and the students she worked with. She also shares her opinions of many facets of UNLV today, including the new student union and recreational buildings as well as UNLV becoming a Research I institution.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Peggy Huber conducted by Greg Pushard on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Huber’s life in Nevada and also offers an insightful overview of Nevada’s rich history. Huber discusses life on the ranch, mining, settlement, and the local early aboveground atomic blasts.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alfred Guzman conducted by Barbara Guzman on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Guzman first talks about his occupational history, including his career in public relations for the Sands Hotel and Casino. He then talks about Las Vegas, Nevada, including social changes, changes in the gaming industry, and mob influence in the casinos. He also talks about Reno, Nevada, how his job affects the public, and the MX Missile system.
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 Darwin Gidel conducted by Claytee D. White on October 21, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gidel discusses being a flight engineer in the Air Force during World War II. He describes when he was shot down over Belgium in 1944 and was held as prisoner of war in Belgium and Germany for eleven months. He also discusses being an accountant.
Archival Collection