Oral history interview with Jill DeStefano conducted by Stefani Evans on January 19, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, DeStefano describes growing up in Long Beach, California and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2006 with her husband. DeStefano became interested in helping protect the 13,000 acres of land near her home of Aliente, and became a member of the founding board of "Protectors of Tule Springs." In this interview, she talks about the role the recession had on their work; engaging the public in the project; the stakeholders with whom they negotiated; the tours they conducted; and the legislation passed through Title 30 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in December of 2014 creating the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Julian Eusebio conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Jerwin Tiu, and Stefani Evans on June 01, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Eusebio discusses his childhood in the Philippines countryside, helping his parents farm and harvest rice. After moving to Manila for college, Eusebio studied architecture and illustrated for comics and magazines. After moving to Los Angeles, California, Eusebio started a construction business, doing landscapes and constructing swimming pools for celebrities such as Michael Jackson. In 1992, he opened another branch in Las Vegas, Nevada. After retiring in 2010, Eusebio took up painting again and cites his favorite artists as Norman Rockwell and Rembrandt. In the remainder of the interview, he discusses his drawing process and how he started showing his artwork throughout the Las Vegas Clark County Library District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Aaron Rosenthal conducted by David Schwartz on December 21, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Rosenthal discusses the various slot operations and marketing roles he held with MGM Mirage/MGM Resorts. He also talks about his experiences in dealing with slot vendors and responsibilities as a general manager at various properties.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Burns conducted by Sandy Fink on April 03, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Burns discusses the early history of Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s and 1950s. Burns also discusses the various jobs he has held including cook, dishwasher, clerk, pipe fitter, and salesman.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Gemma conducted by Dan Murphy on March 1, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gemma discusses employment opportunities, construction work, housing developments, and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. Gemma also recalls social and environmental changes, local recreation, sports, and the importance of gambling in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stella Iaconis conducted by Gary Gione on February 26, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Iaconis talks about seeing the above-ground atomic tests in Southern Nevada from Los Angeles, California and the drastic population growth that occurred after the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marie Jordan conducted by Edward Gentry on February 27, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jordan discusses the social differences between Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada, particularly in the ways schools were segregated. Jordan also discusses the “Whites Only” policy on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Darlene Kelly conducted by David P. Wiser on March 16, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kelly discusses how she first arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada and her occupational history. Kelly goes on to describe the Stewart Ranch, as well as the social environment of the 1940s and 1950s in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lorna Kesterson conducted by James M. Greene on October 18, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kesterson discusses her work in news editing as well as her original reasons for moving to Southern Nevada. She also discusses teenage social life of Boulder City, Nevada during the 1940s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Lappin conducted by Gordon Brusso on March 04, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss his early occupational history and his work for the Bureau of Mines. Lappin then goes on to explain the different housing systems that developed in Boulder City during World War Two.
Archival Collection