Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by James Weslowski on April 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan discusses his memory of the beginning of Nellis Air Force Base, originally named the Las Vegas Aerial Gunnery School for the Army Air Corps. He also discusses the role of the city commissioners in establishing Nellis as a permanent airbase, as well as the role of Western Air Express, a commercial air company which eventually became Western Airlines.
Archival Collection
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 Peg Crockett conducted by Claytee D. White on May 21, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Crockett begins by discussing her move to Las Vegas, Nevada as a child in 1937 with her family. Crockett then describes meeting her husband, George Crockett, the owner and operator of Alamo Field, known today as McCarran International Airport. Crockett chronicles earning her pilot's license at eighteen years old and operating the air field with her husband in the late 1940s. Crockett then recounts meeting Howard Hughes when he landed his plane at Alamo Field and his involvement both in Las Vegas and aviation. Lastly, Crockett talks about ongoing development and construction of new casinos in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cathrine Abrigo conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on July 20, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Abrigo describes her early life in the Philippines, where she attended Catholic school and briefly studied medical technology in college. She describes immigrating to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and the difficulty of leaving her immediate family behind. She discusses working for the Cosmopolitan in 2011 and becoming deeply involved with the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. Throughout the interview, Abrigo talks about religion, food, and her activism with the Culinary Union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary R. Stout conducted by Greg Rowland on February 20, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stout discusses her personal history and living in Boulder City, Nevada. Stout describes living in "Ragtown," a makeshift settlement for workers constructing Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) before Boulder City was established. She also describes her father's duties as a pipe fitter while working on the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and how Boulder City has changed and evolved. Stout concludes by talking about nuclear weapons tests, her careers, and gambling in Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gary Giddens conducted by Claytee D. White on December 13, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Giddens discusses his upbringing and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978. He talks about becoming a firefighter, his employment with the North Las Vegas Fire Department, and working with ambulance companies. Giddens recalls Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, the increase of firefighters becoming EMTs, and the MGM Grand fire. Lastly, Giddens talks about leaving the North Las Vegas Fire Department.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Plaster conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 21, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Plaster discusses his early life in Santa Monica, California, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. He recalls his early interests in real estate, forming his company Signature Homes, and the first home building projects he was involved in. Lastly, Plaster describes land acquisition during the late 1970s, building mass housing, and his role as President of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (SNHBA).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sandy Croteau conducted by Claytee D. White on January 18, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Croteau discusses the history of Tule Springs area, which covers over 13,000 acres and how she became involved in turning the area into Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument. Croteau is a retired real estate professional and a National Parks volunteer. She recalls growing up in Los Angeles and Downey, California and engaging in outdoor activities with her father and brothers, which paved the way for her work on Tule Springs.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Matson conducted by Ken Rose on February 23, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Matson discusses his early life in Pensacola, Florida and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work in resort and housing construction in 1952. Matson also discusses his family, his part-time work as a personal security guard, and the growth of Las Vegas. Lastly, he discusses African American racial discrimination and economic opportunities in Las Vegas in the 1950s to the 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alice Waite conducted by Claytee D. White on July 14, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Waite primarily discusses her time in The Rhythmettes, a female student dance group based out of Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s. Waite describes the group's choreographer and coach, Evelyn Stuckey, her fellow Rhythmettes, and the performances they gave at Las Vegas High School and around the state. Waite also talks about her family history, what she likes about Las Vegas' downtown, and her career as a teacher.
Archival Collection