Oral history interview with Gordon Reno conducted by Brian Galvin on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reno describes his early life living in Henderson, Nevada and watching the city of Las Vegas, Nevada expand over time. Reno discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam and how it was once heavily guarded, as well as Mormonism in Las Vegas. Reno also talks about being stationed at a U.S. Marine base at Lake Mead, his career as a police officer in North Las Vegas, and the Basque people and their influence in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise Riley conducted by Bryan Neel on March 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Riley discusses her life after moving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1946, and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Riley describes dates with her husband on the Las Vegas Strip, which included visiting clubs or watching Liberace perform. Riley also discusses her husband's job as an accountant at the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, as well as briefly discussing her experiences viewing nuclear weapons tests.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary K. Rymer conducted by Mary Fitzgerald on May 04, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rymer discusses her career as a nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada, which began at Clark County Hospital. Rymer tells several anecdotes of her experiences during her career, and discusses how hospitals have changed and evolved in Las Vegas. Rymer goes on to discuss her short retirement from nursing, before returning to the profession after being hired as a nurse for the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patsy Leavitt conducted by Elizabeth Neumann on March 17, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Leavitt discusses her maternal grandmother, who brought her mother and uncle to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931, and explains how her grandmother opened a boardinghouse that she ran until her death in 1948. She then discusses her father's family, who arrived in Las Vegas in the late 1920s and established a sand and gravel business. She discusses her education and marriage, and reflects on Las Vegas in the 1950s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Jillian Hrushowy conducted by Joyce Marshall on October 11, 1995 and October 26, 1995 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Hrushowy describes her dance career, which started in Paris, France. Hrushowy then goes on to describe how her career moved her to Las Vegas, Nevada and the shows she performed in. Further, Hrushowy describes her performance schedule and experiences as a young dancer. Lastly Hrushowy discusses recreation activities in Las Vegas in the 1960s and 1970s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Alma Whitney conducted by Claytee D. White on March 03, 1996 and May 28, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Whitney opens the interview by talking about her life in Tallulah, Louisiana. She discusses race relations in Tallulah and how she traveled from Tallulah to Las Vegas, Nevada. Whitney describes her first job as a maid at the Desert Moon Motel, and her move later to the Desert Inn Hotel. Whitney discusses her career of over 30 years at the Desert Inn along with her promotion from maid to supervisor. Whitney also describes a time when Desert Inn employees went on strike for three weeks.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with John Mendoza conducted by Perry Kaufman on May 26, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mendoza discusses Mexican American life in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls memories of his education in law.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pat Geuder conducted by Darryel Mayes on On April 15, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Geuder discusses in detail the changes that occurred over the years to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, from the time she was a student to the then-present date when she worked as a professor.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roger Pettersson conducted by David G. Schwartz on February 24, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Petterson discusses his background and his experiences in multiple positions for slot management. Pettersson also discusses the various slot operations in casinos such as the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, and the Mirage Hotel and Casino. He then describes what makes a good slot manager, what customers are looking for in slot machines, and how the slot industry has changed over the years, particularly with the use of free play.
Archival Collection