Oral history interview with Carolyn Whaley conducted in 2005 by an unknown interviewer for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. Whaley discusses her early interest in music and her successful audition for the United States Air Force Women's Air Force (WAF) Band in 1959. She explains that the band was the only all-female band in the military between 1951 and 1961, and shared a number of stories about the function and activities of the band. Later, she discusses her civilian career as a music teacher in Barstow, California and decision to move to Las Vegas, Nevada after her retirement in 2000. She also remarks on the lack of interest that officials at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas showed in veterans.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Peter Fabbi conducted by unnamed interviewer in approximately 1974 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Fabbi shares that he was born and raised in Carrara, Italy and immigrated to the United States in 1896. After working as a stone cutter in New York and Connecticut, he moved to Tonopah, Nevada. He eventually became the manager of the Merchant's Hotel in Tonopah before opening a bakery in that city. Fabbi speaks at length on a variety of subjects, including stories about his businesses, the Great Depression, politics, fraternal organizations, and his family and friends.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robin Trout conducted by Phyllis McKinnon on October 17, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Trout discusses being a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trout discusses the education required to be a nurse compared to the kind of education and experience she feels a nurse actually needs. She talks about issues of malpractice in the medical field and malpractice insurance, her current work duties, and other aspects of working in the medical field.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Iva MacDonald conducted by Vaune Kadlubek on March 04, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, MacDonald discusses living in Henderson, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. MacDonald also discusses McCarran Airport, family, and her various occupations including secretary, bookkeeper, and real estate saleswoman.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Hocker conducted by Mary Fitzgerald on April 05, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hocker talks about her life and nursing in Las Vegas, Nevada. She specifically talks about Cadet Nurse Corps, nursing education, and her job as a nurse jail matron.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Janet Adams conducted by Glodene Sawyer on October 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Adams (born in Scotland) discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada from California with her husband. Adams also briefly discusses early churches, the above-ground atomic testing, President Kennedy’s visit, and her enjoyment in recreational fishing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Micheal Miller conducted by Broderick T. Ackerman on April 05, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Miller discusses arriving to Ely, Nevada in the 1920s and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1920s. Miller then discusses the businesses that he invested in and other properties that he purchased throughout his lifetime. Miller speaks about his time working on ranches and as a trapper in Northern Nevada. He also speaks about his time running nightclubs in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as seeing much growth throughout his time living in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jack Herst conducted by Suzan DiFederico on March 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Herst talks about the population growth in Nevada and emphasizes the significant changes that Las Vegas, Nevada has experienced from its origins as a small town. Herst also discusses his personal family history, his Jewish identity, community affiliations, and his career as a card dealer and broker at different casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dewitt Tracht conducted by Jay Brewer on April 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tracht discusses business in Southern Nevada and how the business market expanded and developed in his lifetime. Tracht lastly talks about the early techniques of advertisement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Luther Pennington conducted by Greg Decker on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pennington discusses working on the trains for the Union Pacific Railroad Company starting in 1927 and explains the various jobs he held on the train. Pennington then describes his position as locomotive engineer and recalls his experiences. Later, he discusses train routes, stations, and the dangers of working aboard a train.
Archival Collection