Oral history interview with doctor Nancy Leveque conducted by Robin Wright on July 03, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview covers, among many wide-ranging topics, Leveque’s move to and away from Las Vegas, her career as a veterinarian, and the practice she and her then-husband built. Leveque also discusses how the city of Las Vegas has changed—environmentally and socially—, special interest groups and social activities, as well as natural phenomena. Throughout the course of the interview, Leveque provides anecdotes about prominent figures and old Las Vegas traditions, such as Helldorado.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Calvin Leavitt conducted by Patricia van Betten on March 09, 2007 for the History of the Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Leavitt discusses his birth in Mesquite, Nevada at his family's dairy farm, and goes into detail about his schooling in Mesquite. Leavitt describes his family's dairy farm and their conversion from a Grade B to a Grade A farm. He then details his summers spent working odd jobs at the Blue Diamond mine in the summers of 1950 and 1951. Leavitt primarily discusses his outdoor hobbies, namely hunting, fishing, trapping, and rockhounding. He also describes his reasons for moving to Blue Diamond in 1995.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lester Adams (b. 1918) conducted by Caroline Fitzpatrick on March 14, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. A native Nevadan, Adams discusses his personal family history, World War II, and the Adams Feed Company of which he is the owner. Adam also discusses the early above ground atomic tests and the local economy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ellis LeFevre conducted by A. D. Hopkins on March 01, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, LeFevre discusses his early life in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as his experiences with bootlegging during Prohibition Era, and his encounters with local law enforcement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlie McLean conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on December 14, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. McLean discusses making a living playing for the Ice Capades—traveling entertainment shows featuring theatrical ice skating performances—and in jazz bands after graduating from college. He also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960 and playing at hotels such as the Frontier, Desert Inn, Riviera, Sahara, and the Tropicana.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bob Campagna conducted by Kathleen Neumann on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bob (Bobby) Campagna (b. September 18, 1950 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania) talks about the history of Nevada. During the interview, Bobby discusses hotels, schools, city recreation, and Lorenzi Park. He also describes relocating to Las Vegas, his goals in life, and his life in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold Stocker conducted by Ralph Roske and Elizabeth Warren on November 30, 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stocker discusses his upbringing, family life, and his experiences working the Northern Club owned by his mother, Mayme Stocker. Lastly, Stocker talks about the history of gambling and prohibition.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dick Sheridan conducted by Mike McGuire on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sheridan discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. Sheridan discusses the growth of the city as well as the development of multiple hotels and casinos. Sheridan also discusses gambling and the gaming industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jack Binion conducted by David Schwartz on October 17, 2008 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Binion discusses his early life and growing up as the son of the gaming operator, Benny Binion. He talks about working with Joe Brown at the Horseshoe Casino, the opening of the Golden Nugget, and casino surveillance. Lastly, Binion describes downtown Las Vegas, Nevada during 1960s and its popularity at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Luckman conducted by Harvey H. Harris on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Luckman discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 and working as a casino dealer. Luckman also describes his book publishing business.
Archival Collection