Oral history interview with Richard J. Ronzone conducted by Edna Goodman on March 08, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ronzone discusses education in Tonopah, Nevada, and his early life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ronzone also discusses his business, “Ronzone’s Department Store,” and the growth of local businesses in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ronzone then gives his opinions of the changes that occured in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Lockhart conducted by O’Sheyon Rollins on April 17, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Lockhart discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965 after transferring to Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas). He talks of his impressions of the city at the time, his first accounting job at Southwest Gas Corporation, and his employment with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) in the 1970s. Lockhart then recalls being the first African American Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Nevada in 1977 and being appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission in 1983. Later, Lockhart discusses the process to qualify for employment as a CPA and owning a CPA firm in the 1980s. Lastly, he describes West Las Vegas businesses and shares his thoughts on the growth of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Laura Kelly conducted by Cindy Gaylor on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kelly discusses her early life in Boulder City, Nevada, Nellis Air Force Base, and local politics. She also discusses the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Southern Nevada during the Great Depression.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bruce Eaton conducted by James Maxon on March 6, 1985 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. The topic of the interview is the incorporation of Boulder City, Nevada as a self-governing municipality and the role that Eaton played in the eight-year process between 1951 and 1959. Eaton discusses the establishment of an advisory council that served as an interim government, the first Boulder City Act of 1953 in Congress, and long-reaching issues over who should take economic responsibility for costs associated with incorporation. Eaton then talks about the non-binding resolution of 1956 that highlighted the divide between the citizens of Boulder City and its business community, and the work of Eaton, Senator Alan Bible, and others to present a plan that met with wide approval.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Gubler conducted by Suzanne Becker on December 29, 2008 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Gubler discusses his parents moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 and growing up in the John S. Park Neighborhood. He then discusses becoming a lawyer and moving back to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Samanthia Kerwin on March 11, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tomiyasu discusses his family life, being raised on a farm, and enlisting in the United States Army some time between 1940 and 1944. Tomiyasu talks about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and witnessing changes in the city including hotel and casino construction and change in ownership. Tomiyasu describes transportation in Nevada and people moving to Las Vegas for job opportunities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Laura Gentry conducted by Harold May on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Laura Gentry discusses living in St. Thomas and Overton, Nevada. She discusses the development of the Overton and Gold Butte areas of Nevada as well as the people involved in mining in these areas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Parker conducted by Dennis McBride on June 02, 1986 and November 09, 1986 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In this interview, Parker discusses the construction of the Hoover Dam and the development of Boulder City, Nevada. Parker recalls the events on December 07, 1941, the closing of Hoover Dam shortly after the Pearl Harbor attacks, and United States military protection of the dam during World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth L. Berger conducted by Claytee D. White on April 15, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Berger discusses his upbringing in St. Paul, Minnesota and his career in the United States Army. He remembers his employment with Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier (EG & G), flying aircrafts, and his initial interest in firearms. Lastly, Berger talks about becoming a member of the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Gallagher conducted by Patrick W. Carlton on May 31, 2002 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Gallagher discusses his career in higher education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as an educator and an administrator. Gallagher also describes his membership in the Las Vegas, Nevada chapter of the Rotary Club and that organization's relationship with UNLV. He concludes the interview by drawing distinctions between Las Vegas and cities of the Pacific Northwest.
Archival Collection