Oral history interview with Donald Beagle conducted by Michael Clibon in 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this oral history interview, Beagle discusses his upbringing in Wyoming, being stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, and working for J.A Tiberti Construction Company. Mr. Beagle’s wife, Mrs. Beagle is also present during the interview, and adds her input on the topic of raising a family in Nevada.
Oral history interview with Leora M. Wilcox conducted by Alex D’Andrea on January 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilcox discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945, and shares her disappointment upon arrival. Wilcox also describes what it was like to live in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada while efforts for World War II were taking place. Wilcox later describes some of the most noticeable changes throughout Las Vegas, as well as the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Paula Morey interviews a former Desert Inn pit boss, Robert Francis Bergin (b. 1891), at his residence (a motel room) on March 5, 1981. During the interview Bergin discusses his personal history, the opening of the Desert Inn and other casinos, the gambling industry, his visits to Cuba, Wilbur Clark, Howard Hughes, and women in gaming.
Oral history interview with LaVerne Ligon, B. J. Thomas, and Leonard Polk conducted by Claytee D. White on July 09, 2012 and July 18, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Ligon, Thomas, and Polk discuss their personal early dancing careers, their varied experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada during segregation, and working for Hallelujah Hollywood at the MGM Grand Hotel.
On March 2, 1978, Kelley Tuchman interviewed Dr. Robert Foster (born 1921 in Colorado Springs, Colorado), principal of Helen J. Stewart School, about his experiences in educating and helping the mentally disabled. Foster first talks about his background in the military and his eventual teaching experience in special education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Foster then discusses his motivations for getting into the special education field and later talks about the growth of the program in Clark County and throughout the country. He also describes the role of legislation in helping the mentally disabled and later goes into detail about the approaches of the training and education program itself. Toward the end of the interview, Foster mentions a few of his personal experiences and discusses the importance of volunteering to help the mentally and physically disabled.
Oral history interview with Dorothy Kelsey conducted by James M. Greene on January 20, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the early days of Nelson, Searchlight, and Las Vegas, Nevada, as Kelsey offers an in-depth personal narrative on the life of a local. The interview concludes with a discussion on hotels and casinos.
Oral history interview with Stanley Goldstein conducted by Carol A. Semendoff on October 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Goldstein’s personal historical profile as a Las Vegas, Nevada resident. Also during this interview, Goldstein discusses the Strip, gambling, prostitution, and the history of the major casinos.
Oral history interview with LeMoyne Legere conducted by Cecilia Branch on March 17, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mrs. Legere discusses various differences in Las Vegas from the time she was growing up to the date of the interview. She also discusses her involvement in high school and what people do for recreation.
Oral history interview with Bren Armstrong conducted by an unknown collector on May 28, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers local politics and local newspapers, such as The Las Vegas-Review Journal. Armstrong also mentions the local education system, employment opportunities in Nevada, Block 16, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and the Westside. The interview concludes with a discussion on Hank Greenspun, the publisher of the Las Vegas Sun newspaper.
Oral history interview with Myrtle Cheel conducted by an unknown interviewer on February 02, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, Mrs. Cheel discusses education in the Las Vegas, Nevada Valley. She also discusses social, economic and environmental changes, particularly the rapid transformation and growth of Las Vegas from a small town to a major metropolis.