Oral history interview with Trish Geran conducted by Claytee D. White on April 14, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Trish Geran discusses her early life in Las Vegas, Nevada's historic Westside neighborhood, attending Catholic schools, and the feelings of not belonging that shaped her world view: she was different from her white, wealthy schoolmates, and as a private school student she was different from her neighbors. Trish also discusses her life in politics and activism.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lucille Down conducted by James Down on February 21, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Down discusses the lives of Union Pacific Railroad workers, and her first job, which was at the Southern Nevada Telephone Company. She also discusses recollections on the social, recreational, religious, and economic changes that contributed to the development of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roger H. Dudley conducted by Elisabeth McLaren on March 7, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview, Dudley discusses his childhood, his parents, grade school, World War II, atomic testing, the Mesquite Club, development of the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, rodeos, Howard Hughes, Paradise Valley, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elbert Edwards conducted by Layne Covington on October 16, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Edwards first talks about his family background before talking about what it was like to live in Panaca, Nevada. Edwards later talks about his wife’s and his political involvement, and his involvement in education. He then discusses Hoover (Boulder) Dam, his job as a registrar in the Selective Service, and the effects that the World War II years had on Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Beth Rosenberg conducted by Jerry Masini on November 18, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rosenberg describes coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and the desert landscape she saw when she came here. She gives an in-depth recollection of the first atomic test, and talks about the weather and the seasons in Las Vegas. Rosenberg describes several clubs and hotels around downtown and the recreation at Lake Mead and Mount Charleston.
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 Jaime Cruz conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez on July 03, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cruz discusses growing up in Lima, Peru and immigrating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987. Cruz describes his first impressions of the city, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and explains the importance of education for his children. He talks about his employment as a dishwasher at Vineyard Restaurant, food server at The Mirage, and being recruited by Treasure Island as a banquet waiter. Lastly, Cruz describes the Peruvian community in Las Vegas, instilling Peruvian culture in his children, and how he became the Executive Director of Workforce Connections.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Pursell conducted by Michael Sarabyn on June 24, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Pursell reflects upon his career as a teacher, counselor, and school administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses his experiences as a teacher in the 1960s, challenges that he faced, and his approach to education. He also discusses his experiences with school integration, describes his regular responsibilities and challenges, and discusses his working relationship with other teachers and administrators throughout the school district.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Pearl conducted by Cameron Holloway on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pearl recalls his first impressions of Las Vegas, Nevada when arriving in 1949. Pearl then discusses the environmental and social changes in Las Vegas. Pearl later describes his work as a boxing referee and recalls stories of some of the matches that he refereed. Lastly, Pearl discusses the Athletic Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and talks about the growth of athletics at UNLV.
Archival Collection