Bud Weil worked as a disc jockey in Mexico after serving in the military during World War II. In 1947, he moved to Las Vegas to work at KLAS but after two days he was job hunting. His search landed him at KENO, a radio station owned by Max and Laura Belle Kelch. His was an interview show that afforded him entree to stars performing in town. The list of his favorite interviews includes Sophie Tucker, Sammy Davis, Jack Benny, The Mills Brother, Rosemary Clooney, Leno Home, Joey Lewis and many others. In 1955, he became restless, left the career in broadcasting, and joined Max Kelch as a partner in a new venture for Las Vegas - Musak. This enterprise took him to the doors of every business in town and shortly, he knew everybody. He uses that knowledge in this interview to talk about all aspects of life as the town grew over the years. Today he is a senior statesman of our town, enjoying everything about Las Vegas except the traffic.
Oral history interview with Esther Horner conducted by Maureen Brannon in approximately 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Horner discusses the inaugural Helldorado Parade, her family’s establishment of B & H Grocery in Las Vegas, Nevada, atomic tests, presidential visits, social clubs, and the tragic death of actress Carole Lombard in a plane crash in Nevada. Horner also offers insight into religious life, the red-light districts, including the infamous Block 16, racial segregation, and gambling in the early days in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Bertha Gresh conducted by Gary Eagleson on November 30, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gresh discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Gresh then talks about mining and offers details surrounding specific mines, such as the Black Hawk Consolidated or Ran [Rand] Mine, the Techatticup Mine, the Wall Street Mine, and the Duncan Mine. Gresh then discusses the early days of Boulder City, Nevada and Henderson, Nevada. She also briefly mentions Block 16.
Oral history interview with Vernon S. Caples conducted by Cheryl Caples on February 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vernon S. Caples (born August 7th, 1891 in St. Johns, Oregon) discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Vernon describes what Las Vegas was like in the early days, from the Red Light District to the Nellis Air Force Base. He also mentions the implementation of a government program that was set in place to aid senior citizens living in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Woodrow Long conducted by Ana Humphrey on October 05, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Long discusses his early life in Panaca, Nevada, his mining job in Pioche, Nevada during the 1930s and 1940s, as well as his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s. Long also discusses building Boulder (Hoover) Dam power lines and constructing Las Vegas housing. Long also briefly discusses his education at the University of Nevada, Reno, his family, and his experiences with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Oral history interview with Ina Porter conducted by Claytee White on January 05, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park neighborhood oral history project. Porter recalls moving to the John S. Park Neighborhood in the 1940s. She describes how they helped build the Mormon Church and the importance of the Latter Day Saints Church to the John S. Park Neighborhood. Lastly, Porter discusses the changes in the John S. Park Neighborhood over fifty years.
Oral history interview with Gary B. Hafen conducted by Christopher McEntire on April 30, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Hafen reflects upon his 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s White Pine County School District and the Clark County School District from 1959 to 1989. He describes his approach to administration, his experience with school integration, and the importance of being present for students, parents, and teachers throughout the day. He also discusses what he believes makes a successful principal and school administrator, and describes the roles that teachers, assistant principals, and principals play in operating a school.
Interviewed by Barbara Tabach. Born and raised in Zacatecas, Mexico, Irma moved to Las Vegas in 1989. She is the Cultural Program Supervisor at Winchester Community Center and has devoted much of her career to preserving Hispanic cultural traditions in Las Vegas. She has been an active leader in local events such as Community Roots, International Food & Folk Life Festival, World Vibrations, and Dio de Los Muertos.
Oral history interview with Edith Allan conducted by Elizabeth Cleary on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Allan discusses living on a dairy farm, as well as her experiences working for Western Union and the Sal Sagev Hotel. Allan also mentions the building of Hoover Dam, Block 16, and the Stewart Ranch.
Oral history interview with Jacob D. "Jay" Bingham conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on January 11, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bingham discusses growing up in the Mormon community in Nevada, serving on the North Las Vegas City Council, and his various developments of basketball and work-release programs for youth offenders.