Oral history interview with Valerie Wiener conducted by Barbara Tabach on January 20, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Wiener discusses her childhood and being raised in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s as well as the academic path that led her career into politics. Throughout Wiener’s interview, she highlights the traditions of the small, but growing Las Vegas Jewish population in the 1960s. Wiener also discusses her community service work and her life mantra of giving.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron Lawrence conducted by Dennis McBride on 1997 June 22, July 11, and August 08 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In this interview Ron Lawrence discusses his early life, his career, and the gay community in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses gay rights and the AIDs epidemic in the 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Geraldine Sharpe and Dianna Menzel conducted by Claytee D. White on May 23, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, Sharpe describes her early memories of Las Vegas, Nevada beginning in the 1930s while her daughter, Dianna Menzel, clarifies and adds details. Sharpe recalls moving to St. Thomas, Nevada in 1930, her early life in the area, and memories of family members in Alamo, Nevada. Sharpe then describes moving to Las Vegas after St. Thomas was flooded in the 1930s, her education, and people and locations in her local community. Other subjects Sharpe talks about include housing conditions and recreational activities during the 1930s and 1940s, the Helldorado parades, the Las Vegas Mormon community, and life in Las Vegas during World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Warner conducted by James E. Guessman on October 27, 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Warner discusses arriving to Southern Nevada in 1925 and recalls personal experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. Warner then discusses city growth and changes, including the development of Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Warner shares his opinions on the future of Las Vegas' economics and local government.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Eddie Eliscu conducted by Arnold Shaw between approximately 1986-1987 for the Arnold Shaw Oral History Project on Las Vegas Entertainers. In these interviews, Eliscu reflects upon his career in entertainment, from serving as a social director at Camp Copake, New York to songwriting for stage and film. He describes his upbringing in a non-musical family, his first performances, and the more prominent professional developments of his career.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Manix conducted by Sherry O’Neil on October 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Helen Manix shares her experiences in Boulder City, Nevada as the owner of the first department store. Manix discusses the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada as gambling became legal.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Star conducted by Tony Morneau on September 15, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Star discusses moving from Brooklyn, New York to Henderson, Nevada in 1955. In 1959, Star moved from Henderson to Las Vegas, Nevada to run a family-owned pawn shop. Star goes into detail about atomic bomb testing, the growth of Las Vegas, and gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with J. Harold Tilton conducted by David M. Hollic on February 21, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tilton discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1925. He then describes the development of Las Vegas and recalls the expansion of the city in both the north and west. Lastly, Tilton discusses the construction of homes in undeveloped desert land, as well as environmental and social changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection