Oral history interview with Pearl Busch (born 1936 in Winona, Minnesota) conducted by Laura Busch on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pearl first describes her original move to Southern Nevada and a wide range of topics including the first hotels on the Strip, the growth and expansion of the city, recreational activities such as skiing, and her family. She also discusses gambling and its impact on the city, the clubs and organizations to which she belonged, and her appreciation for the mild Las Vegas climate. The interview finalizes with her thoughts on the biggest excitement Las Vegas offers, her input on the high crime rate in Las Vegas, and her thoughts on the energy crisis and the future of solar energy in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oran Gragson conducted by Perry Kaufman on December 25, 1972 for the UNLV Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Gragson discusses his employment at Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and Basic Magnesium Plant, and eventually opening his own business in 1967. He then describes changes in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls his involvement with politics. Gragson then discusses his time as the mayor of Las Vegas and explains the challenges he faced as mayor. Lastly, Gragson describes the difference between county government and city government.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Paluzzi conducted by Claytee D. White on September 05, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Paluzzi discusses his personal history and his experiences serving in the United States military in the 1940s. He talks about the Great Depression of 1929 and how that impacted his decision to join the military. Paluzzi then describes the state of the economy before and after joining the military, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1949, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Later, Paluzzi shares his thoughts on organized crime and its possible connections with casino executives. He talks about the success and growth that Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino had, and his role as convention coordinator for Caesars Palace. Lastly, Paluzzi describes the growth and changes in Las Vegas and the impact that Jay Sarno had on casino development.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paulette Nelson conducted by Claytee White on March 2, 2009 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Nelson discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 and working at the Nevada Test Site for two years. Nelson then talks about being offered a position in the cataloging department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Libraries. Lastly, she talks about being supervisor of the Architecture Studies Library for nine years until her retirement in 2009.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Simon Lamsal conducted by Jerwin Tiu, Cecilia Winchell, and Stefani Evans on December 16, 2022 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Lamsal describes growing up in Kathmandu, Nepal, and growing up with his grandparents. After graduating in Nepal, Lamsal applied to college in the United States and started in Arkansas studying computer science but later relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada and continuted at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Lamsal describes joining CSUN, the National Millenial Community, and investing in his community. Currently, he is in graduate school and an information technology intern at MGM. Thoroughout the interview, Lamsal touches on a number of other topics regarding finding community, cultural foods, and family life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John F. Cahlan conducted by Larry DuRussel on July 02, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan discusses how Las Vegas, Nevada was developed, how Nellis Air Force Base was built and its purposes, and how water was originally supplied to Las Vegas. Cahlan also mentions the various Hollywood stars he met during his career as a journalist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Cahlan lastly discusses atomic testing conducted in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ralph Vandersnick conducted by Dennis McBride on October 18, 1997 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. Vandersnick discusses growing up on a farm with his family in Illinois, owning a gay bar called the Studio Club in California, and owning another gay bar called Snick's Place when he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ellen Rosenbloom conducted by David G. Schwartz on July 09, 2007 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Rosenbloom discusses the life of her father, Sam Sarno, and his brother Jay Sarno. She talks about the opening of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, her uncle's career in gaming, and recalls his plans to open additional hotels and casinos in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harry Block conducted by Mark McLane on February 24, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Block discusses recreational activities, his experience during World War II, early businesses and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Helldorado Parade, Block 16, atomic testing, changes in technology, and visiting Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lucille Down conducted by James Down on February 21, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Down discusses the lives of Union Pacific Railroad workers, and her first job, which was at the Southern Nevada Telephone Company. She also discusses recollections on the social, recreational, religious, and economic changes that contributed to the development of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection