Oral history interview with Mary R. Lyles conducted by Lisa Ellis on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Lyles discusses moving to Nevada from California in 1949 and experience of racial discrimination as an African American. Lyles also discusses her religious beliefs, her work as a maid and pantry waitress, and her experiences as a single mother raising eight children.
Oral history interview with Della Coates conducted by Bill Hitchcock on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Coates discusses public services, atomic testing, Nellis Air Force Base, the education system, military life, the difference in wages between careers, and wage changes. She also describes her time working for the telephone company.
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.
Roger Bryan (born 1938 in Cedar City, Utah) is interviewed by Paul Murphy in his office about his experiences living in Las Vegas. Bryan, who was the principal of Harvey Dondero Elementary School at the time of the interview, mainly discusses his background in education and his experiences teaching at various schools around Southern Nevada. Bryan mentions several of the cities he lived in prior to coming to Las Vegas as well as the various parts of town he lived in after arriving. He also talks specifically about the schools he attended in Las Vegas, the superintendents in charge of the school district, the decisions he made while on the school board, some of his experiences in being a teacher and principal, the extent of vandalism in schools, and how the school district has changed over the years. Bryan additionally recalls the visits of political figures to Las Vegas, some of the developmental changes in Las Vegas over time, the role of the Mormon religion in his life, and the types of recreational activities he and his family took part in. Bryan finalizes the interview with a discussion of the most influential teachers he had when he was a student.
Stephen Compan interviews entrepreneur Donald Edward Borsack on the front porch of his home in Las Vegas. Born in Bell, California in 1928, Borsack moved to Las Vegas in 1936. Occupations Borsack has had include insurance adjuster, clothing salesman, proprietor and owner of four El Portal Luggage stores. During this interview Borsack discusses the growth of Nevada, and sports and recreation in the early days, including Nevada’s first professional baseball team.