Oral history interview with Alexander Zapata conducted by Nathalie Martinez on February 15, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Zapata discusses growing up in Caracas, Venezuela. He describes Venezuelan traditions he participated in, becoming a news reporter, and earning a journalism degree in Venezuela. Zapata talks about his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2015, his early impressions of the city, and obtaining positions at
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joylin Vandenberg conducted by Charlie Bloom on February 09, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vandenberg discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Vandenberg then describes the plane crash that killed Carole Lombard, the opening of Boulder (Hoover) Dam with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the atomic bomb tests. Vandenberg later discusses the changes in Las Vegas, specifically the increase in pollution, population, and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Al Lermusiaux conducted by Shirley Dianne Long on March 09, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lermusiaux begins by talking about his move to Las Vegas, his family and what brought him to the city. He shares many anecdotes about the construction of different iconic buildings in Las Vegas, the inner workings of the business, payments to employees and the changes in technology. Lermusiaux, in particular, talks of the telephone system in the fifties and the changes in structures and their regulations. During his interview, Lermusiaux lays out an image of old Las Vegas and Henderson, giving detailed descriptions of the layout of the city, the projects he worked on and the effects of the weather on building structures in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Agnes Gauger conducted by Coleen Mancini on February 24, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gauger discusses significant changes and growth in Southern Nevada, including gambling and other industries, family life and recreation, and the early atomic tests. Gauger also discusses housing in Las Vegas, Nevada, Howard Hughes, the McCarran Airport, medical facilities and education in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marion Earl conducted by Robert Pearce on March 13, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1923, serving as a member of the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce, and then being elected president of the chamber in 1941. He also discusses being elected justice of the peace in 1934, and serving for two terms.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Burse conducted by John Grygo on March 01, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Burse discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family in 1971. He talks about his mother's employment as a maid at the Thunderbird Hotel, describes recreational activities he participated in, and the close-knit community in West Las Vegas. Burse discusses the increase of gangs and drugs in West Las Vegas and how it negatively affected the community. Later, Burse recalls starting his own personal security business, receiving his business license in 1995, and the growth of his company. Lastly, Burse talks about the Culinary Workers Union strike at the Frontier Hotel and Casino and the importance of union jobs to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stanley Mallin conducted by David G. Schwartz on January 29, 2008 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Mallin discusses his personal history and meeting Jay Sarno in 1940 at the University of Missouri. He describes moving to Atlanta, Georgia with Sarno in the late 1940s to start a tile business. He then talks about their other business building apartment complexes in Atlanta and eventually building the motel Atlanta Cabana in 1958. Later, Mallin discusses selling their business and opening Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and describes the success it had during its first months of operation. Mallin then talks about eventually selling Circus Circus Hotel and Casino to William Bennett and William Pennington. Lastly, Mallin recalls opening Caesars Palace and his last business ventures with Sarno.
Archival Collection