Oral history interview with Edmund "Ed" Fleming conducted by Mark Lucas on February 08, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Fleming discusses mining practices in Southern Nevada and his teaching experiences in Pahrump, Nevada, Goodsprings, Nevada, and Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses religion, transportation, and culture in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dennis Myers conducted by Dennis McBride on March 23, 2005 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Myers discusses meeting former Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, Fred S. Alward. Myers talks about the public's speculation surrounding Alward's sexual orientation and the impact that had on his career.
Archival Collection
Patricia 'Pat' Merl plans for college did not materialized after graduation from a New Jersey high school in the late 1960s. Instead she took a receptionist job. The by the age of 19, it was her interest in dance classes that would lead her to audition to be a professional dancer for the Rockettes of Radio City Music Hall fame. Her days and weeks were filled with rigorous rehearsals and performances, but it was also an exciting time for a young and spirited girl. A side trip to Las Vegas in 1971 during her first ever vacation opened her to a new world of possibilities for a professional dancer. So without a job, she decides to remain in Las Vegas and explore the options. It became the beginning of a wide and varied career in the live entertainment industry. Pat's dancing resume includes working in many of the Las Vegas chorus lines of the 1970s, provides a flavor of what the work was like then and how it changed during the era. She includes the story of Frank Rosenthal and
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Oral history interview with Harold Chatterson conducted by Herman Grijalva on October 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Harold Chatterson discuses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, working as a construction worker, the First National Bank of Nevada, homesteading, atomic-bomb testing, Howard Hughes, the Las Vegas Strip, the Helldorado Parade, and the 1942 crash of Carole Lombard's plane.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Grady Aitken conducted by David Schwartz on June 03, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Aitken discusses his upbringing and early interest in the gaming industry. He remembers completing dealing school at the Harrah’s Casino in Reno, Nevada, working for Bill Harrah, and interacting with high profile players. Aitken talks about junkets, differences between casinos in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, and the licensing process to become a casino floor manager. Later, Aitken describes the opening of the MGM Grand Hotel in 1993, becoming a pit manager, and auditioning dealers. Lastly, Aitken discusses his role as Director of table games at the Westgate Las Vegas Casino Resort.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Henderson conducted by Joyce Moore on July 16, 2006 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Henderson discusses his employment at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada and remembers the fire in 1980. He talks about the reconstruction of the hotel, becoming a cocktail server, and the community of casino and hotel workers in Las Vegas during the 1980s and 1990s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dan McKenzie conducted by Connie Degerness on February 12, 1975 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In this very short interview, McKenzie explains why he came to Nevada from Arizona, finding work on the Hoover Dam construction in April 1930, and then lists all of his subsequent work in maintenance and mechanics during the dam's construction.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hobert D. Blair conducted by Jay Brewer on April 20, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview covers the growth of Boulder City, Nevada from 1931 to 1975. Blair discusses his work history and the social activities available in Boulder City. Blair also talks about the development of Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Georgie Clark conducted by Steven E. Pilgram on March 02, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Georgie Clark discusses the Colorado River area, its changes, and its new rules and regulations as of March 02, 1980. She also discusses working as a real estate agent and as ferry command civil servant in World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alice Doolittle conducted by Christopher Moran on March 21, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Alice Doolittle discusses why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, working as a dental assistant, her move to Boulder City, Nevada, the first theaters in Las Vegas, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Doolittle Center.
Archival Collection