Oral history interview with Henry Kronberg conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 26, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview Kronberg talks about his childhood in Germany and Poland, his experience being imprisoned by the Gestapo, and being transported to a concentration camp. He talks about surviving the Holocaust and meeting his wife. He discusses being reunited with his sister in Las Vegas, Nevada after decades of searching. Kronberg discusses purchasing Stoney's, a loan and pawn shop, anti-Semitism, and water resources in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lambert VanDerMeer conducted by Eric H. Newton on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, VanDerMeer discusses his birth in Holland, living in Chicago, Illinois and Southern California, and finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1926. VanDerMeer also talks about his marriage in Las Vegas and running a dairy and ice house. Other subjects VanDerMeer discuss include the the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the growth of Las Vegas over time, and the history of Las Vegas from 1926 to 1955.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nadean L. Voss conducted by Laura Bell on March 03, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Voss discusses her personal history and the history of Boulder City, Nevada. Voss describes moving to Boulder City in 1933 and what life was like in the city. She also describes the construction of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), visiting the growing Lake Mead, and how Boulder City has changed. Voss goes on to discuss her career working for the Bureau of Reclamation and desert wildlife.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Austin R. Wardle conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on August 05, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wardle discusses the history of Tonopah, Nevada, a town in which he first arrived in 1902. Wardle discusses theaters in Tonopah, Jewish families that lived in Tonopah, and the prominent immigrant population that worked in the mines. He continues talking about other families that have lived in Tonopah and life in the town. Wardle also discusses how Tonopah has changed, housing in Tonopah, and the mining industry of the town.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Watts conducted by Franklin Conn on April 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Watts discusses his personal history and Las Vegas, Nevada history. Watts describes working at the El Rancho Hotel and Casino as a comptroller and the development of other casinos in Las Vegas. Watts goes on to describe the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he was a professor during the 1960s and 1970s. He also talks about working at the Riviera, organized crime in Las Vegas, and the growth of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jean Whitcher conducted by Michele deHoll on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Witcher discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1932 and describes the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam, Fremont Street before it was fully paved, and social life in Las Vegas at the time. Witcher then recalls her work in costume repair and construction as a seamstress at the El Rancho Hotel and Casino. Later, Witcher discusses her work in costume design and recalls some of her more memorable designs.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mark Whitmore conducted by William M. Paradiss on March 03, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Whitmore discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1948 and recalls his family history. Whitmore then describes the growth of Las Vegas, specifically the expansion toward the west side of the city. Whitmore later discusses social and environmental changes, the increase in pollution, and recreational activities at the time. Lastly, Whitmore recalls his experience as a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas during the mid-1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Esther Wolverton conducted by David Haymack on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wolverton discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1927 and recalls her first impressions of the city. She also describes experiencing the first Helldorado Parade, social life in Las Vegas, and her employment as a waitress. Later, Wolverton discusses the construction and development of McCarran Airport. Lastly, she talks about population growth in Las Vegas and the significance gaming has to the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Kim conducted by Kristel Peralta, Cecilia Winchell, Ayrton Yamaguchi, and Vanessa Concepcion on March 05, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Kim describes his career in law. He talks about his Korean roots, the model minority myth, and experiencing racial discrimination. Lastly, Kim discusses the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, his involvement with the Asian Bar Association of Las Vegas, and the importance of electing Asian Americans into political positions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Douglas R. Gougar conducted by Ann Dahlheimer on November 3, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Gougar reflects on his upbringing in a farming family, and describes how that farming ethic influenced his work ethic as a school administrator. He then discusses how he decided to become a teacher, and eventually a middle school and junior high school administrator with the Clark County School District from the 1970s to the early 2000s. He describes his philosophy for establishing relationships with staff and students, and the importance of extracurricular activities.
Archival Collection