Oral history interview with Marie Heher conducted by her daughter Sharon Heher on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Heher discusses her early life in Boulder City, Nevada and Henderson, Nevada, as well as her education in Reno, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. Heher also discusses the Helldorado parades and her experiences with the Union Pacific Train Depot in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Hotchkiss conducted by Barbara Clark on June 27, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hotchkiss discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1946. Hotchkiss discusses the hotel industry, explaining that most casinos had a Western theme before the Flamingo was built, which started a luxury resort trend. Hotchkiss goes on to describe the development of Las Vegas Strip hotels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Polly F. Lilly conducted by Connie L. Patterson on March 26, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project. In this interview, Lilly discusses a range of topics, from building a Catholic church in early Las Vegas, Nevada, to the nearby nuclear weapons tests. She also describes witnessing a confrontation between Senator Joseph McCarthy and Hank Greenspun on stage at the now demolished War Memorial Building in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Celesta A. Lisle conducted by Richard D. Juillerat on March 07, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Celesta Adelaide Lisle is accompanied by her daughter, Celesta Lisle, for the interview to help clarify information. Celesta Adalaide Lisle discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1946 and describes her life as a housewife and motel operator. She also discusses her early life, her family, and personal travels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Waldrop conducted by Harry Ward on February 23, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Waldrop discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1944 as an instructor for the Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunnery School (now Nellis Air Force Base). Waldrop also describes the increase of hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, social life, and environmental changes in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ward W. Wengert conducted by Robert D. Myles on March 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wengert discusses his personal history and Las Vegas, Nevada history. Wengert describes living in Las Vegas, observing the nuclear tests, and economic and environmental changes of Las Vegas. Wengert also discusses how Las Vegas has developed and changed, and flooding in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Sparrow conducted by Lonnie McDonald on March 09, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sparrow discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sparrow discusses life in early Las Vegas, how Las Vegas has changed, and the development of the Strip. Sparrow also discusses race relations in Las Vegas and the establishment of the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Stover conducted by Robert Filmer on March 31, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stover discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953 to work in construction. Stover then describes his most recent occupation, pest control, and describes the kind of work that goes into pest control. Stover later discusses problems with living in a desert and the difficulties of floods in a desert environment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary V. Strachan conducted by Bill Strachan on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Strachan discusses her personal history before arriving in Boulder City, Nevada in 1953. Strachan also describes population growth in Boulder City and Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as the development of Boulder City Hospital. Lastly, Strachan discusses her employment as a nurse at Boulder City Hospital.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Raymond Ellsworth Sutton conducted by Ronnie A. Peters on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sutton discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1941 and recalls the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant and hundreds of homes built in Henderson, Nevada. Sutton then describes his work as an attorney, the Nevada education system, and recalls his experiences as a student at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Archival Collection