Oral history interviews with Joan Driscoll conducted by Kay Long on April 10, 1997 and April 17, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Driscoll talks about her experiences as a juror on a federal grand jury that investigated organized crime in Nevada. Driscoll also briefly discusses her family history, her family's origins in Iowa, and her experiences moving to the West.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Georgia Adras (b. 1916) conducted by Robin L. Hayes on March 02, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Adras relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada from Farmington, Utah in 1936. This interview covers education, religion, ad raising a family in Nevada. During the interview Adras also discusses the building of the Boulder Dam, road conditions, grocery shopping in the early days, and the Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thelma Aiken (formerly Thelma C. Liggitt b. 1899) conducted by Patrica Gaydosh on April 05, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Born in Osceola, Iowa, Aiken discusses moving to Henderson in 1942. Aiken also offers in-depth descriptions of housing, schools, early above ground atomic tests, gambling, and the closing down of the Basic Magnesium (BMI) Plant in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Willis Evans conducted by Kathleen Morgan La Spina on December 02, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Evans discusses arriving and living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Evans also discusses being involved in the civic organization, District Attorney Youth Advisory Group. The interview concludes with a discussion of Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and changes in Las Vegas’ economy, politics, and environment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary R. Lyles conducted by Lisa Ellis on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Lyles discusses moving to Nevada from California in 1949 and experience of racial discrimination as an African American. Lyles also discusses her religious beliefs, her work as a maid and pantry waitress, and her experiences as a single mother raising eight children.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louis Fisher conducted by Samuel Barto on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fisher discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1953 and offers insight into the rapid growth of Las Vegas with special focus on the Las Vegas Strip, banks, the steady influx of people moving to Las Vegas for the warm climate, and housing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rodrigo Vazquez conducted by Nathalie Martinez and Barbara Tabach on May 24, 2021 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Rodrigo was raised in a mixed status Mexican family. He was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of three, later becoming a citizen when he was in the 8th grade. Rodrigo is currently a graduate student worker for the Latinx Voices Oral History Project and reflects on what he has learned. He also discusses what the past year of the Coronavirus pandemic has been like for him.
Subjects discussed include: Latinx and Mexican identities, COVID-19 era, and Latinx Voices Project oral historian
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Pollak conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on May, 25, 2010 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Pollak discusses breaking into the music industry and attending accounting school and working as an accountant while still performing in clubs. He also discusses playing with his band at Caesars Palace Hotel and the Tropicana Hotel, African-Americans in the music industry, and drug use among musicians. Pollak then discusses how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed, in terms of the entertainment industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Morgan conducted by David G. Schwartz on October 21, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Morgan discusses his background in slot repair and management, including his experiences in opening several properties such as the Aladdin Hotel and Casino and the Stratosphere Casino. He also mentions how the use of Wi-Fi technology could change the way games are played.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert D. Howell conducted by Joe Sant on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Howell discusses growing up in Nevada, the early above ground atomic tests, local environmental and social changes, the economic landscape, the Mormon Fort, religious beliefs, local recreation, and air pollution.
Archival Collection