Oral history interview with Muriel Parks conducted by Judy Drappo on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parks discusses her personal history and the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Parks discusses her career working at UNLV as the Director of Admissions and Records, and how the university has changed over time. Parks also discusses the career of Maude Frazier and their personal relationship.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Darwin Lamb conducted by David Blanton on October 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Lamb discusses his early life living in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and various United States presidents who visited Las Vegas. Lamb also discusses his involvement in politics as a Clark County Commissioner, Las Vegas economics, and the growth and change of the hotel and casino industry over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Grayson conducted by Elizabeth N. Patrick on May 23, 1983 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview covers Grayson’s experience with gaming in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Also present during John Grayson’s interview is Billy H. Gray, a longtime gaming associate of his, who helps Grayson go into greater detail about key events.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Murl Emery conducted by James M. Greene on October 18, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Emery discusses living in Southern Nevada, particularly in the areas from Searchlight, Nevada to Nelson, Nevada. He also discusses the building of the railroad, mining in Nevada, and the books that were written about his discoveries and explorations during his life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with DeRuyter O. Butler conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 15, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Butler begins with discussing his early life and joining Steve Wynn's Atlandia Design in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1982. He then talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1986. The interview focuses on the design and development of various Las Vegas casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William McGarry conducted by Shannon Beesley on February 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McGarry discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 from Reno, Nevada. McGarry also discusses politics in Nevada including the state senators and the process of becoming a senator.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Beverly Mathis conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mathis discusses her early life in Trenton, Tennessee. She talks about experiencing discrimination, the importance of voting, and attending the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mathis describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 and being an African American elementary teacher at the time. Lastly, Mathis discusses her thoughts on education in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jean Bennett conducted by Claytee D. White on July 8, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Bennett discusses how she went to California from Missouri to pursue her dreams of being a singer. She also discusses her career working for Buck Ram, who wrote, produced and arranged for the Platters, the Drifters, and many more singing groups of early rock-and-roll and rhythm-and-blues genres.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Janet Adams conducted by Glodene Sawyer on October 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Adams (born in Scotland) discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada from California with her husband. Adams also briefly discusses early churches, the above-ground atomic testing, President Kennedy’s visit, and her enjoyment in recreational fishing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Viki Richardson conducted by Chuck Williams on July 3, 2013 for the Friends of Red Rock Canyon in Nevada Oral History Project. Richardson begins the interview by talking about her family life and childhood in Oliver Ranch. She describes what her family did at the ranch as caretakers and tells stories when she lived in Blue Diamond Village, Nevada. Lastly, she describes what the town of Blue Diamond was like, and the history and layout of the Oliver Ranch property.
Archival Collection