Oral history interview with Velma Haselton conducted by Catherine Bellver on September 13, 2001 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Haselton opens her interview describing her childhood and schooling. Haselton then discusses finishing her accounting degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Hasleton talks about her three marriages, her husbands' jobs and her experiences in the various marriages. Haselton goes on to discuss moving back and forth from Nevada to California for her career in accounting. Haselton ends her interview describing why she finally settled in Las Vegas, Nevada, and her work as a CPA at the Kafoury Accounting firm.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hubert Sampley conducted by Karen Franke on February 24, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sampley discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950. Sampley details his career at an oil refinery, farm, as well as his career in the U.S. Air Force. Sampley also describes the gaming industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold Smith conducted by Troy Durham on July 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943 and recalls his first impressions of the city. Smith also talks about his employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada. Finally, he discusses the development of Fremont Street, recreational activities, and the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas McDonald conducted by Ted Papatheodorou on July 05, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McDonald describes his experiences running a newspaper and a restaurant in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a manager at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. McDonald shares several short anecdotes, such as being thrown off of a freight train in 1915 in early Las Vegas, or serving then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson at his restaurant in Chicago.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Gallagher conducted by Patrick W. Carlton on May 31, 2002 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Gallagher discusses his career in higher education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as an educator and an administrator. Gallagher also describes his membership in the Las Vegas, Nevada chapter of the Rotary Club and that organization's relationship with UNLV. He concludes the interview by drawing distinctions between Las Vegas and cities of the Pacific Northwest.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Keena Smith conducted by Winita Frederick on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses her personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes what Las Vegas was like as a child, her upbringing in dance, and the significance that participating in the arts has on her life. Smith describes the auditioning process for shows in Las Vegas, her experience as an African American dancer, and being a cast member for
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Augusta Massey conducted by Steve Hayes on November 14, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Massey discusses her early life in Nigeria, moving to Memphis, Tennessee, and then relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008. She talks about her educational experience in Memphis and compares social life in the South and the West. Massey describes her career in law, working in various law firms in Las Vegas, and starting mentoring programs for new attorneys. Lastly, Massey discusses the importance of scholarships for students in law school, her involvement with the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association (LVNBA), and why it is important for lawyers to be active in the LVNBA.
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
Oral history interview with Nafeesa Sallee conducted by John Grygo on March 21, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Sallee discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada, education in Clark County School District, and the challenges that West Las Vegas had with banking.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lambert VanDerMeer conducted by Eric H. Newton on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, VanDerMeer discusses his birth in Holland, living in Chicago, Illinois and Southern California, and finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1926. VanDerMeer also talks about his marriage in Las Vegas and running a dairy and ice house. Other subjects VanDerMeer discuss include the the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the growth of Las Vegas over time, and the history of Las Vegas from 1926 to 1955.
Archival Collection