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
Oral history interview with Ernie Lomprey conducted by Chris Tonemah on July 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lomprey moved from Wisconsin to Henderson, Nevada in 1949 because his father was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base towards the end of World War II. He discusses his childhood, education, and eventual work as a cement mason and firefighter.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Melvin Green conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 23, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Green discusses his upbringing in Louisiana and growing up in a family of farmers. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1983, working for Nevada Partners, and his involvement in the redevelopment of the Westside School. Green talks about his architect firm, KME Architects, and lists projects his company has worked on in Las Vegas. Lastly, Green describes presenting new designs to community members and partnering with church leaders to build community housing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Howard E. Nielsen conducted by Adina Elison on March 29, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Nielsen reflects upon his experience as a teacher and administrator in Utah and Arizona during the 1970s and 1980s. He describes his upbringing and the process by which he became a teacher, principal, and assistant to the superintendent following military service. He describes his approach to teaching and educational leadership, his regular responsibilities, and experience working across grade levels simultaneously.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron M. Portaro conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 27, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Portaro speaks about Built-Rite Construction, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993, and meeting notable Las Vegas men such as Pastor Paul Goulet Arnie Adamsen, and Charlie Kajkowski. Potaro also discusses how these experiences enabled him to benefit his church, his family, and his adopted community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Irwin Molasky conducted by A. D. Hopkins on June 08, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In the interview, Molasky discusses his early life in Ohio and moving around the United States before settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951. He then talks about his company, the Molasky Group of Companies, and projects the company had been associated with. One project Molasky focuses on is the design and opening of Sunrise Hospital in 1958, located in Las Vegas. He recalls Nevada Senator Howard Cannon cutting the ribbon for the hospital's opening, as well as business partners for the hospital including Allard Rowan, Morris Barney "Moe" Dalitz, and Roy Cohn. Other Las Vegas projects Molasky discusses include the Boulevard Mall, Paradise Palms housing community, and the Bank of America Plaza near Fremont Street. Molasky also talks about a vocational outreach project he helped develop at the Irwin & Susan Molasky Junior High School. Lastly, Molasky talks about his personal hobbies and Las Vegas's urban growth.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stella Iaconis conducted by Gary Gione on February 26, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Iaconis talks about seeing the above-ground atomic tests in Southern Nevada from Los Angeles, California and the drastic population growth that occurred after the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Rohn conducted by David G. Schwartz on October 20, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Rohn discusses working in arcades and slots within properties such as Wildhorse Resort and Casino, and Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino. He then provides his philosophy on what he believes customers are looking for in casinos, and how slot operations have changed over time, particularly through ticket-in ticket-out and the use of free play.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Delibos conducted by Claytee D. White on October 2, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. John Delibos discusses moving with his family from Wisconsin in 1959 to Las Vegas, Nevada and his experience being raised in a Catholic household. He then discusses graduating from Cornell University and returning to Las Vegas to work in various casino jobs. Delibos also discusses retiring from gaming and becoming a full-time interior designer.
Archival Collection
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