Oral history interview with Ernie Lomprey conducted by Chris Tonemah on July 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lomprey moved from Wisconsin to Henderson, Nevada in 1949 because his father was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base towards the end of World War II. He discusses his childhood, education, and eventual work as a cement mason and firefighter.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Fry conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on October 09, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Joseph Fry discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He talks about how he was welcomed to the history department by notable people like Roman "Jay" Zorn, Ralph Roske, and Tom Wright. He also talks about doing research, writing books, and becoming history department chair numerous times.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Woodrow Wilson conducted by Perry Kaufman on November 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilson discusses work at the McNary sawmill in Arizona, and later arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada to work at the Basic Magnesium Plant, located in Henderson, Nevada. Wilson also talks about discrimination between maids in motels and hotels, along with moments of segregation at the Basic Magnesium Plant. He then explains how he organized and became a board member of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leo Lewis conducted by Kenneth "K. J." Evans in 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In the interview, Lewis discusses Las Vegas, Nevada's resort industry and assisting to develop the College of Hotel Administration (William F. Harrah College of Hospitality) at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Lewis also talks about teaching casino management at UNLV and UNLV's collaboration with international resort industries. A woman, possibly Lewis's wife, Lucy Lewis, is also present in the interview and elaborates on their travels during UNLV's international resort programs, including Tiananmen Square, China during the 1989 protest.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edna French conducted by Helen Littleton on November 18, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. French discusses her life in Boulder City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gail Hambley conducted by Mike Hinton on February 25, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hambley reflects upon her upbringing in early Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses her schooling at Las Vegas High School with wooden desks and no air conditioning, memories at the Stewart Ranch and Hoover Dam, and her job with the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lucille Bryant conducted by Claytee White on December 13, 1995 and March 01, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Bryant begins the interview discussing her early life in Tallulah, Louisiana. Next Bryant discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to look for work in 1953. Bryant discusses at length life in Tallulah from work to race relations. Bryant goes on to discuss her husband and children and to describe their family life. Bryant lastly discusses her experiences as an African American woman employed as a housekeeper on the Strip and her involvement in the Culinary Union local 226.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lucy Alires conducted by Candice Bush on March 06, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Alires is interviewed about her experiences as a Spanish-American living in Henderson, Nevada. Alires describes the growth of the city, including Carver Park, and discusses some of the discrimination faced by Latin and African American citizens. She also mentions some of the changes in the Las Vegas Strip over time, including the presence of Latin Americans in the hospitality workforce.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marion Earl conducted by Robert Pearce on March 13, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1923, serving as a member of the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce, and then being elected president of the chamber in 1941. He also discusses being elected justice of the peace in 1934, and serving for two terms.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bobby Morris conducted by Cork Proctor on September 07, 2004 for the Arnold Shaw Oral History Project on Las Vegas Entertainers. Morris discusses his early work in New York City, New York and working with many jazz players. He also reflects on playing at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. Morris then discusses how he became Elvis Presley’s musical director at the International Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection