Oral history interview with Larry Clinesmith conducted by Patricia van Betten on February 07, 2007 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Clinesmith discusses his upbringing and decision to pursue a degree in biological illustration. He then talks about graduating in the early 1970s and the beginning of his career with the Nevada State Parks system as a ranger at the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. He details the early years of the Park, the history of the Spring Mountain Ranch, and the many changes to the Park and the surrounding area. He also discusses some of the Park Service employees. Finally, he talks about the decision to move to the Village of Blue Diamond, Nevada from Henderson, Nevada, and people and events in the village.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Selma Bartlett conducted by Claytee D. White on September 18, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bartlett discusses arriving to Henderson, Nevada in 1954 and recalls the homes in that area. She shares her experience in banking and her employment with First National Bank of Nevada. Lastly, Bartlett discusses the housing crisis of 1987 and describes the housing industry during that time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dan Skanovsky conducted by Richard A. Kelly on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Skanovsky discusses the legalization of gambling and his experiences in the gambling industry in Nevada. Skanovsky talks about living in Tonopah, Nevada. Later, Skanovsky discusses casinos, their operations, and the chances of winning money in casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida M. Harris conducted by Claytee D. White on March 25, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Harris discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada as a young women in 1920. She talks about parties she attended, her employment in retail and accounting, the Rose Bowl Parade, Helldorado, the construction of Hoover Dam and Boulder City, Nevada, and riding events she participated in as a member of the women's riding group The Lariettes. She also mentions local sights, the outdoor movie theatre, the early casinos, and the Las Vegas Jockey Club racetrack. She also identifies numerous individuals in photographs.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nellie Feour conducted by Bill Rogers on March 25, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Feour discusses first moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and how people coped with the extreme heat in the 1940s. Feour continues the interview discussing the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada and the building of Henderson, Nevada and the industries that came with the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maynard Sloate conducted by Joyce Moore on June 12, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Sloate discusses his early life in Los Angeles, California and his career as a jazz drummer. He remembers performing at the Tropicana, the Union Plaza, and becoming an entertainment director for production shows. Sloate describes the increases in price to attend a show in Las Vegas, and the use of taped music instead of live musicians. Lastly, Sloate talks about the challenges in making a career as a musician.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patrick Keenan conducted by Clyde C. Caldwell on February 28, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Keenan discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in March of 1952, life in early Las Vegas, Nevada, the growth of the city, and the nearby nuclear testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wilma Cooper conducted by Sara G. Finklea on February 27, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cooper discusses her life in Boulder City and Henderson, Nevada from 1936 to 1977.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James M. Lancaster conducted by Linda Voorvart on March 04, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lancaster explains how he first came to Southern Nevada from Mexico and Cuba. Lancaster then goes on to explain his occupational history as a senior safety engineer and power plant operator, and the different jobs that he held in Southern Nevada, specifically at the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Noblitt conducted by Mary Sawdey on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Noblitt discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and building housing in the southern part of town. Noblitt goes on to discuss communication through railroad and morse code. Lastly, Noblitt discusses the above ground atomic tests.
Archival Collection