Oral history interview with Mary Habbart conducted by David R. Patt on March 07, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview offers an overview of life in Las Vegas, Nevada in the early days, which included: atomic testing, floods, prostitution on Block 16, early Fremont Street and Duck Creek. Also discussed during this interview: Sunset Park, The Roosevelts, Bugsy Siegel, local government and the Hoover Dam.
Elizabeth Cleary interviews Edith Allan (born 1889 in Iowa), a longtime resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, on her experiences living and working in this city. Allan discusses living on a dairy farm, which was her family's source of income, as well as her experiences working for Western Union and the Sal Sagev. Allan also mentions the building of Hoover Dam, Block 16, and the Stewart Ranch. Another male is present during the interview as well.
Oral history interview with Alice Woodward conducted by an unnamed interviewer in 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Woodward discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1935 because her husband found a mining job in the state. She talks about her experiences teaching, the mining industry, and camping with her family. Woodward recalls her husband dying of asbestosis and discusses the smog levels in Las Vegas.
On April 10, 1977, Melody Craddock interviewed her father, Dr. John E. Craddock (b. 1922 in San Diego, California), at their home about his experiences while living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also present during the interview is Nancy Craddock, Melody’s mother, and George Apfel, Melody’s boyfriend. John, who was a dentist in the Navy, describes how Las Vegas was when he first arrived to the city in 1952. The three also discuss the development of the nearby Twin Lakes and Lorenzi Park, John’s personal experiences in witnessing the effects of the atomic testing, and the family’s experiences during trips to the nearby mines. John also talks about hunting in different parts of the state and finalizes the interview by describing the development of the different local airports.
Oral history interview with Chet Buchanan conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 28, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Chet Buchanan begins this interview with a discussion of his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999 after he was offered a job as a radio show host for 98.5 KLUC. He talks about the specifics of his job, including his career background as well as the Chet Buchanan Toy Drive. For this interview, he specifically goes into detail on his coverage of the Las Vegas October 2017 mass shooting and discusses being in San Diego, California at the time, yet still striving to reach people through his broadcast with the help of CBS San Diego. Throughout the interview, Buchanan examines his desire to make a difference in the community with his show and his interactions with the public.
Oral history interview with Priscilla Alexander conducted by Norman Vallata on 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Alexander was born in Southern California, and in approximately 1952 Alexander relocated to Nevada with her aunt and her uncle who worked in the gambling industry. During the interview Alexander discusses gambling ships in Southern California, early above-ground atomic testing, Nevada’s gambling industry, buffets in the early days on the Las Vegas Strip, and working for Howard Hughes.
Oral history interview with Patricia Lappin conducted by Nancy Bright on February 26, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview covers Boulder City, Nevada around Hoover Dam. The two discuss the different gambling habits between Southern Nevada locals and Las Vegas tourists. During the latter half of the interview, the two speak at length about the impact of nuclear waste on Nevada. Lappin explains the unique issues that Southern Nevada faces as one of three states to accept nuclear waste.
Oral history interview with Ethel S. Hatch conducted by P. Kohlman on November 24, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the history of Las Vegas from 1939 to 1975. Mrs. Hatch also talks about ranching in Nevada, Rex Bell, development on the Strip, the first hotels, and early local shopping culture. The interview concludes with discussion surrounding tree-lined streets, the Helldorado Club, and Fremont Street.