Oral history interview with Herb Tobman conducted by Stephen Tidwell on April 23, 1986 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.
In this interview, Herb Tobman discusses his upbringing in the Bronx, New York, his Russian-Jewish ancestry, and his service in the United States Navy. He talks about his move to Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife in 1952 and his employment history, starting with his ownership of a used furniture store and the Western Cab Company; his executive casino work as general manager of the Moulin Rouge Hotel and the Aladdin Hotel and Casino; and as president of the Stardust Resort and Casino and Fremont Hotel and Casino. Tobman shares his involvement in the community, how the city of Las Vegas has grown and changed, and the happiness he and his family have experienced living in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hugh Shirkey conducted by Patricia van Betten on February 04, 2010 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Shirkey discusses his personal history and arriving to Blue Diamond, Nevada in 1950. He talks about his employment at the Blue Diamond Mine as an electrician. Shirkey describes what life was like at the village as a single worker, the development of the mining plant, how the plant was managed, and traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada. Lastly, Shirkey recalls moving to Las Vegas and retiring from the mining plant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jessica Anderson conducted by Claytee D. White on March 7, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Anderson begins talking about her early life, family, work history, and the reason why she had moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1991. She goes on to talk about the history of Outdoors Nevada where she currently works, and what she was doing the day of October 1, 2017. Anderson recalls how she found out about the shooting, reaching out to friends, and learning more about what happened that night. Anderson talks about the aftermath of the event, how it affected everyone involved, and the healing aspect afterwards. Lastly, she describes the process of creating the Healing Garden, the features of the garden, and the future plans for the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mitchell A. Cobeaga conducted by Raymond E. Frey on March 14, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Mitchell Cobeaga discusses early life in Nevada, the history of the Nevada State Bank, education in Nevada in the 1920s and 1930s, and Southern Nevada's influence over the rest of the state.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gordon Reno conducted by Brian Galvin on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reno describes his early life living in Henderson, Nevada and watching the city of Las Vegas, Nevada expand over time. Reno discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam and how it was once heavily guarded, as well as Mormonism in Las Vegas. Reno also talks about being stationed at a U.S. Marine base at Lake Mead, his career as a police officer in North Las Vegas, and the Basque people and their influence in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kent Carmichael conducted by Stefani Evans on November 25 and December 2, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
In the first session of this oral history, Carmichael discusses his early career in lighting design and maintenance from his start at Interstate Neon to his work in the 1950s and 60s in Las Vegas. He discusses some of the iconic signs he built including the Casino Center, Carnival Room, Thunderbird, The Frontier, Bonanza, and the Stardust. He also details the technology and inner workings of these innovative signs including the transition from mechanical to electrically controlled signage. Carmichael continues to discuss Native American laborers and various individuals that he interacted with throughout his early career including Max and Mo Oggenblick, Doby Doc, Benny Binion, Arby Alper, Steve Wynn, Peter Arp, and Wayne and Jerry Newton. Carmichael ends the first interview by recalling a high wind event that damaged the Frontier sign and his efforts to bring the sign under control and repair it as well as his vision and behind the Stardust sign.
The second oral history interview contains Carmichael’s discussion of his career from 1968 onward. He immediately picks up discussion of the Stardust sign and his transition to desk work. Carmichael details the challenge and limitations of designing the International sign (the Westgate as of 2021). He describes the development of his first messenger sign for the International and the time consuming task of using tape to program the sign. He fondly remembers working on the Holiday Inn Riverboat signs, and International transition to Las Vegas Hilton and the Hilton’s transition from blue to red letters. Carmichael shares the story of being caught between organized crime and a young Steve Wynn. He recounts his last project for Ad Art, developing and construction the sign for the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. He details working through legislative and construction issues as well as the fallout from the Nat Kiefer Commission.
After leaving Ad Art Carmichael began working with Heath and Co. and began collaborating with Raul Rodriguez. Carmichael and Rodriguez went on to design some of the most enduring and visually unique signs in Las Vegas including, the Flamingo, Four Queens, Golden Nugget, Dunes Hotel, and the Desert Inn. They also worked in Reno on Circus Circus and El Dorado. Carmichael also details his interior work including the main pylon and interior signs for MGM Grand; 1974 renovation Golden Nugget, suspended stained glass ceiling at Tropicana, and the MGM Lion display. Lastly Carmichael outlined his work with Young Electric Sign 1983-85 and the Dewey Sign Company including the Las Vegas Convention Center sign. He ends by sharing his views on the role and importance of lighting in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marion Paris Lamb conducted by Frances Kristich on June 21, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lamb discusses raising her kids in Alamo, Nevada and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1919.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steve Evans conducted by Claytee D. White on June 15, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park neighborhood Oral History Project. In this interview Steve Evans discusses living in Henderson, Nevada and owning a home previously owned by Las Vegas assembly person Flora Dugan, who was a mentor of his. He then talks about his efforts to recover information about his John S. Park home. He also talks about the thriving commerce of Fremont Street shifting to Maryland Parkway, the beginning of the Arts District, and the impact of events on the John S. Park neighborhood sense of community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harry F. Spargo conducted by James M. Greene on October 14, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Spargo discusses his career as a miner. Spargo describes life as the son of a miner before following in his father's footsteps, becoming a miner himself, and working in the mines of the American West. Spargo goes on to describe arriving in Goldfield, Nevada in 1911, before moving on to other areas in Nevada mining precious metals for various companies.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Clark Crocker conducted by Monica Lehman on March 3, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Crocker discusses his family and educational background as well as his experiences attending school in California and Massachusetts. Crocker then describes the building of the Hoover Dam and his career as a teacher and school principal, as well as his thoughts and philosophies on how curriculum should be structured in schools. Crocker also discusses his work for the fire department in Pahrump, Nevada and his career as a frogman and navigator for the United States Navy during World War II.
Archival Collection