Oral history interview with Grant Sawyer conducted by Perry Kaufman on May 12, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sawyer discusses his campaign for Governor of Nevada and the differences between northern Nevada and southern Nevada social life. He then describes winning the election for Governor, the gaming industry, and explains why gaming was significant to his political career. Lastly, Sawyer discusses the Nevada Gaming Commission before and after he was Governor, and actions that he took against organized crime.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lorne Lomprey conducted by Mitzi Cox on February 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Lomprey discusses his childhood and education in Henderson, Nevada. He also discusses his work as an arson investigator and police officer. Lomprey also discusses other topics including atomic testing, politics, the first police officers in Henderson, Nevada, and early firefighters in Henderson, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Brymer conducted by Rob Mullaney on March 09, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brymer explains how he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada for the gaming attractions and eventually married and had two children. Brymer talks about working as a craps dealer at the Frontier Club in Downtown Las Vegas, the Last Frontier on the Las Vegas Strip, and later a pit boss at the Sahara. Brymer also discusses a visit by Lyndon B. Johnson, the early atomic testing, the importance of religion in his life, changes in climate, the development of the Strip, the existence and decline of agriculture, and some of the entertainers who performed on the Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Hill conducted by Claytee D. White on May 04, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Hill discusses being a Las Vegas, Nevada community volunteer and founding the Friends of Channel 10, Las Vegas Summer Camp Fund, and the Voluntary Action Center. She also discusses working with the Frontier Girl Scout Council, United Way, and the Home of the Good Shepherd Center Auxiliary. Hill then discusses working as a fashion consultant with William Rondina's Carlisle Collection.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Russell K. Grater conducted by Dennis McBride on March 15 and 28, 1995 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. Grater opens his interview by discussing his upbringing on a farm in Indiana. Grater talks about his career with the National Park Service and how his mother's interest in birds guided his professional interests. He discusses the locations he has worked, including Grand Canyon National Park and Lake Mead Recreation Area. Grater describes his work classifying and studying plants. Lastly, Grater discusses his interactions with the Civilian Conservation Corps at Lake Mead.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Douglas R. Gougar conducted by Ann Dahlheimer on November 3, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Gougar reflects on his upbringing in a farming family, and describes how that farming ethic influenced his work ethic as a school administrator. He then discusses how he decided to become a teacher, and eventually a middle school and junior high school administrator with the Clark County School District from the 1970s to the early 2000s. He describes his philosophy for establishing relationships with staff and students, and the importance of extracurricular activities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Fahrenkopf conducted by Tony Batt on October 14 through 21, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Fahrenkopf begins by recalling his childhood in New York and later moving to Nevada with his father and sister. Following graduation from the University of Nevada, Reno, Fahrenkopf earned a law degree from the University of California in Berkeley. Fahrenkopf details his career as a lawyer, being chairman of the Nevada Republican Party, and his close relationship with Paul Laxalt, and his appointment as chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1983 by Laxalt’s best friend, President Ronald Reagan. He also details how he created the American Gaming Association.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu (Nelson) Tomiyasu conducted by Samantha Kerwin on April 30, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tomiyasu discuses life, changes, and politics in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tomiyasu also talks about the organizations he was a part of, including The Southern Nevada Landscaping Contractors Association, and The Southern Nevada Urban League. The interview concludes with Tomiyasu recalling the above ground atomic test, and World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Counts conducted by Jim Phillips on October 29, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Counts first talks about her early life in Las Vegas, Nevada, including her educational background and some of the recreational activities in which she took part. She also discusses the atomic testing, the changes in Las Vegas over time, and her familiarity with political figures, and the police department.
Archival Collection