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 Max Velasquez conducted by Janice F. Hurtubise on March 08, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Velasquez discusses his personal history as a construction worker in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes the construction projects he worked on and the differences between 1950s construction and construction at the current time. Velasquez goes on to discuss the government regulations workers had to follow, how water pipelines were laid, and the types of equipment used in construction. Lastly, Velasquez talks about the bidding process for contractors and environmental changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nafeesa Sallee conducted by John Grygo on March 21, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Sallee discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada, education in Clark County School District, and the challenges that West Las Vegas had with banking.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John J. Page conducted by Lois Goodall on April 16, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, John Page discusses joining the United States Air Force and then moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in February 1959. He then discusses starting out as an elementary school teacher. He also talks about moving to the neighborhood of Westleigh, family life in that neighborhood, and teaching in the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lucile Nyberg conducted by Alison Hartough on February 22, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nyberg discusses the history of Overton, Nevada and life in the town. Nyberg describes early Las Vegas, Nevada and life in Boulder City, Nevada. Nyberg goes on to discuss her career as a teacher and the changes made to education in Las Vegas. Nyberg also discusses the development and the economy of Las Vegas, and briefly discusses prostitution in the city. Nyberg's husband, Richard Nyberg, is present during the interview, but does not speak.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roger Pettersson conducted by David G. Schwartz on February 24, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Petterson discusses his background and his experiences in multiple positions for slot management. Pettersson also discusses the various slot operations in casinos such as the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, and the Mirage Hotel and Casino. He then describes what makes a good slot manager, what customers are looking for in slot machines, and how the slot industry has changed over the years, particularly with the use of free play.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alfred Guzman conducted by Barbara Guzman on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Guzman first talks about his occupational history, including his career in public relations for the Sands Hotel and Casino. He then talks about Las Vegas, Nevada, including social changes, changes in the gaming industry, and mob influence in the casinos. He also talks about Reno, Nevada, how his job affects the public, and the MX Missile system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rowena Gonzalez conducted by Michael Boyd on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gonzalez first talks about her family background and residential history before discussing the way of life in Texas and eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada. Several topics covered in the interview include Gonzalez’s recollections of the atomic testing, the building of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and Howard Hughes. The two also discuss tourism, the properties on the Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas, and early means of transportation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jean Jenkins conducted by Claytee D. White on August 07, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jenkins discusses her career in real estate and starting her own real estate business in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jenkins describes the methods involved with selling real estate, working in Las Vegas during the late 1960s, and advertising properties in newspapers. She discusses her contributions to changing commission policies for brokers and how this would eventually help the Board of Realtors in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas McDonald conducted by Ted Papatheodorou on July 05, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McDonald describes his experiences running a newspaper and a restaurant in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a manager at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. McDonald shares several short anecdotes, such as being thrown off of a freight train in 1915 in early Las Vegas, or serving then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson at his restaurant in Chicago.
Archival Collection