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 Carl Mortensen conducted by Carloyn Grattan on March 03, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mortensen discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951. Mortensen discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam as well as the growth of Las Vegas. Mortensen also discusses atomic testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gary Sanoff conducted by David Schwartz on June 29, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Sanoff recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979 and going to dealer school to become a craps dealer. He discusses his work in casinos including the Nevada Hotel, the El Cortez, Union Plaza and the Desert Inn. Sanoff then describes his work at the Bellagio as pit manager, assistant shift manager, shift manager, Interim Vice President of Table Games, and director at the time of the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Mark French on April 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tomiyasu begins by discussing his father's immigration from Japan to North America in 1898, and his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1916. He talks about his father's work in agriculture and the types of crops grown in Las Vegas during the early twentieth century. Tomiyasu also discusses his own upbringing in Las Vegas, how the city has changed and grown, and his education. Tomiyasu describes the Native Americans of Southern Nevada, the environmental changes caused by the construction of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), and his experiences as a Japanese American in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth Poirier conducted by Joanne Goodwin on February 05, 2003 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Poirier opens her interview by discussing her partner Doris Pressler, who had passed away before the interview. She describes Doris' upbringing, her role in the first band at the Roseland Ballroom in New York, and explains how an all-women band in the 1930s and 1940s was a phenomenon. Poirier then discusses her own history, including how she became involved in music and all-women bands, and how she met Doris. Poirier describes in detail the importance of music to her family, the types of music she played, and what it was like to be a musician during the Depression. She talks about her relationship with Doris and recalls early interactions with other gay youths. Poirer ends her interview explaining why she and Doris decided to settle in Las Vegas, Nevada, and describes their impressions and involvement with the local LGBTQ+ community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Norton conducted by Sergio Pellegrino on April 3, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project.
In this interview, Paul Norton discusses his life in Henderson, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada from 1952 onward. He shares details of his work at Basic Magnesium Inc. (BMI) and at mills around the Valley. Norton talks about his opposition of the MX missile, in contrast to his opinions about atomic testing in Nevada. He also discusses the businesses that operated from 1950 to 1980, how the Las Vegas Strip was constructed, details of Fremont Street and the I-15 freeway, and flooding that was particularly destructive in Henderson.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Elton Garrett conducted by Dennis McBride on November 10 and 11, 1986 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In these interviews, Garrett talks about hitchhiking into Nevada in 1928, the beginning of his journalism career in 1929, and the development and construction of the Hoover Dam and Boulder City. He relates anecdotes about events and people during this early period and talks about the choice of The Six Companies, Incorporated to build the dam. He continues, talking about the impact of prohibition, bootlegging, and illegal gambling before 1931. Later he talks about his work as an educator in Boulder City, and the decision by the city to work toward self-government and incorporation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nancy Williams conducted by Joyce Marshall on June 13, 1996 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Williams talks about her early life and career as a dancer. She describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1948, organized crime in Las Vegas casinos, and segregation of African American entertainers at the time. Williams remembers riding horses to and from casinos, the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) union, and early showgirl costumes. Lastly, Williams talks about retiring from dancing and establishing a school of dance in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lovey McCurdy conducted by Greg McCurdy on March 19, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lovey recalls arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951, meeting white people in Las Vegas, Nevada, the atomic bomb testing, and other aspects of being part of the African American community during the 1950s and 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Agnes Marshall conducted by Claytee D. White on September 12, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Marshall discusses her family being one of the first families to move into Berkley Square, the first middle-class black housing development designed by Paul Williams. She also recounts her experiences with the nightlife in Las Vegas, Nevada during the heydays of Jackson Street, including clubs such as Cotton Club and Town Tavern, and restaurants like Mom's Kitchen.
Archival Collection