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William McGarry oral history interview
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Oral history interview with William McGarry conducted by Shannon Beesley on February 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McGarry discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 from Reno, Nevada. McGarry also discusses politics in Nevada including the state senators and the process of becoming a senator.
Archival Collection
Estes McDoniel oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Estes McDoniel conducted by Gregory S. Hayes on March 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McDoniel discusses his personal history in Henderson, Nevada, including his campaign for Mayor. McDoniel then discusses the first high school in Henderson, Nevada, and the Basic Magnesium Plant.
Archival Collection
Mark Brandenburg oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Mark Brandenburg conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 22, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Brandenburg discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his stepfather’s involvement with the opening of the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, becoming a co-owner of the property in 1990, and joining other downtown properties to form the Fremont Street Experience. Brandenburg describes the challenges in competing with mega-resorts on the Strip, modernizing the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, and weaving the history of the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino with that of the more recent Fremont Street Experience. Lastly, Brandenburg discusses the monetization of the street, and the future of the Fremont Street Experience.
Archival Collection
DeRuyter Butler oral history interview
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Oral history interview with DeRuyter O. Butler conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 15, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Butler begins with discussing his early life and joining Steve Wynn's Atlandia Design in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1982. He then talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1986. The interview focuses on the design and development of various Las Vegas casinos.
Archival Collection
Betty Kramer oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Betty Kramer conducted by Kathy Wheat on March 02, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kramer talks about the development of Henderson, Nevada and shares the significance of the Basic Magnesium Inc. (BMI) to the Las Vegas, Nevada community. Kramer also talks about the societal change in Las Vegas, Nevada when gambling became legal, and the growth of the city at large.
Archival Collection
James Stover oral history interview
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Oral history interview with James Stover conducted by Robert Filmer on March 31, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stover discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953 to work in construction. Stover then describes his most recent occupation, pest control, and describes the kind of work that goes into pest control. Stover later discusses problems with living in a desert and the difficulties of floods in a desert environment.
Archival Collection
Maurine Swarts oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Maurine Swarts conducted by Teresa McGhie on May 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Swarts discusses her personal history and Southern Nevada history. Swarts discusses the crash of Carole Lombard's plane, above ground nuclear tests, and her recreational interests. Swarts also describes how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed.
Archival Collection
Alexander Nicholas oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Alexander Nicholas conducted by Saleeh Sarwar Khan on February 24, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nicholas discusses the increase in population in Las Vegas, Nevada and describes the type of crime that is most common in the city. Nicholas also describes the increase in pollution as more factories were built. Lastly, Nicholas discusses general changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Nina Lu oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Nina Lu conducted by Jennifer Sui on November 17, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Lu recalls her difficult immgration journey from China to Los Angeles, California, and later to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses former jobs, starting her own business, and embracing her unique identity and cultural heritage.
Archival Collection
Bob Campagna oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Bob Campagna conducted by Kathleen Neumann on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bob (Bobby) Campagna (b. September 18, 1950 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania) talks about the history of Nevada. During the interview, Bobby discusses hotels, schools, city recreation, and Lorenzi Park. He also describes relocating to Las Vegas, his goals in life, and his life in Nevada.
Archival Collection