Oral history interview with Charles Adams (born 1930 in Juliet, Illinois) conducted by Robert Melcer on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss various topics, including Adams’s move to Southern Nevada, the growth of Las Vegas, the educational system, the growth of the English Department at the university, cultural and recreational activities for locals, raising a family in Las Vegas, and prostitution in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thelma Aiken (formerly Thelma C. Liggitt b. 1899) conducted by Patrica Gaydosh on April 05, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Born in Osceola, Iowa, Aiken discusses moving to Henderson in 1942. Aiken also offers in-depth descriptions of housing, schools, early above ground atomic tests, gambling, and the closing down of the Basic Magnesium (BMI) Plant in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John M. Belville conducted by George Braver on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Braver discusses his move to Nevada in 1926, his personal history, and early banking in Nevada leading up to modernized banking. Belville also discusses his personal experience in the banking business, working in Hollywood as a singer, and key moments of his life in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brian Block conducted by Diane Spero on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Block discusses the construction business, community planning, architectural design, and his personal feelings in regard to the development of the Las Vegas, Nevada area. Block also discusses legalized gambling, politics, mass transit problems, and other social and environmental changes in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carl Ciliax conducted by Gary Wood on March 08, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ciliax first describes his family history, and his early interests in wildlife. Ciliax then discusses his early experiences in hunting and his eventual interest in conservationism and preservation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jimmy Wike conducted by David Schwartz on June 02, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. Wike discusses his career as a card dealer and pit manager at casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada including the Las Vegas Club, Fremont Hotel and Casino, Stardust, MGM Grand, Landmark, Bally’s, Hilton, and Caesars Palace. Wike then recalls stories of card dealing in the 1970s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Zach Mossman conducted by David Schwartz on January 05, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Mossman discusses being an executive through several Las Vegas, Nevada Strip properties such as the Aria Hotel and Casino, and the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. Mossman then explains what drew him to slot operations, what guests want when playing slots, and the importance of time on device.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jay Duarte conducted by David Schwartz on January 27, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Duarte gives a description of the various positions and roles he has held in Station Casinos and other properties on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip. Duarte then explains how the slot department works with other casino departments, and later describes the qualities that make both good and bad slot managers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with José Eliqué conducted by Barbara Tabach on January 17, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, José Eliqué discusses his responsibilities as the Associate Vice President and Chief of Police for the Department of Police Services at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He talks about the Police Services Department and its mission to maintain a safe environment on campus. Eliqué discusses the night of the October 1, 2017 shooting and the procedures in place that helped the police officers and detectives support the survivors who made their way to the UNLV campus. He also provides details about using the Thomas & Mack Center as a place of refuge for survivors. In addition to his work in Las Vegas, which started when he moved to the city in 2000, Eliqué discusses his service in the US Navy and his career history in New York City and Chicago, Illinois.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gertrude Rudiak conducted by Claytee D. White on January 11, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Rudiak discusses her personal history and being a member of the Jewish community of Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her husband being stationed in Las Vegas while serving in the United States military, their move to Las Vegas in the 1940s, and his law career after military service. Rudiak discusses race relations in Las Vegas during that time and her husband's efforts to pass a law to end segregation in Nevada as a state assemblyman. Rudiak's son, Richard Rudiak, also speaks, and talks about political history in Nevada during the late 20th century. They conclude by discussing the opening of a Jewish school in Las Vegas, the history of Jewish people in the city, and how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed.
Archival Collection