Oral history interview with Julie McDonald conducted by Michael Richardson on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McDonald describes life in Las Vegas, Nevada after moving there in 1956, as well as the city's layout. McDonald also passionately describes the complexities, perks, and pitfalls she faced while working as a card dealer in various casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cheryl Leonard conducted by Claytee D. White on February 12, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Leonard discusses her life growing up in 1950s and 1960s, including school activities at Rancho High School and attending college in California. She then discusses working as a telephone operator for Central Telephone Company, and as a clerk at the Nevada Test Site before marrying and quitting to concentrate on raising her daughters.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Carlson conducted by Alice Brown on March 19, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Dr. William Carlson speaks about his experience working at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Carlson, who joined UNLV in 1957, provides his accounts on the history of the university library. Carlson also talks about some of the first librarians who were a part of the library, the funding and donations used to build and develop it, and the eventual construction and architecture of the James R. Dickinson Library.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Eaton conducted by Dennis McBride on November 15, 1986 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. Eaton joined her husband Bruce in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1932, soon after he found work at the Hoover Dam building site. Within months of her arrival, the couple welcomed their first child and moved to Boulder City, Nevada. In this interview, Eaton recalls the early community formed by the wives of the dam workers, the establishment of the Grace Community Church and the death of the church's first pastor, "Parson Tom" Stevenson. She discusses the beginning of the school system in Boulder City and her career as an educator, as well as her involvement in numberous community projects and groups including the hospital and the Rainbow Club for young women.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth Poirier conducted by Joanne Goodwin on February 05, 2003 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Poirier opens her interview by discussing her partner Doris Pressler, who had passed away before the interview. She describes Doris' upbringing, her role in the first band at the Roseland Ballroom in New York, and explains how an all-women band in the 1930s and 1940s was a phenomenon. Poirier then discusses her own history, including how she became involved in music and all-women bands, and how she met Doris. Poirier describes in detail the importance of music to her family, the types of music she played, and what it was like to be a musician during the Depression. She talks about her relationship with Doris and recalls early interactions with other gay youths. Poirer ends her interview explaining why she and Doris decided to settle in Las Vegas, Nevada, and describes their impressions and involvement with the local LGBTQ+ community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Russell Dazzio conducted by Claytee D. White on November 4, 2013 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 1. Russell Dazzio discusses attending school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, working at the Stardust Resort and Casino, and having a position at the Sheraton Hotel and Resort. He also discusses his life and involvement in Ward 1.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with G.W. McMillin conducted by Dan Morris on March 10, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McMillin discusses arriving to Southern Nevada in 1924 and recalls Las Vegas, Nevada as a small town. McMillan begins by speaking about how he ended up in Nevada, his time in Ely, Nevada working for the sheriff and state highway patrol, and his memory of Carol Lombard’s plane crash. McMillan speaks primarily about his time working in politics having worked for two different governors and their administrations. Moreover, he talks about mining and its decline in the state, outdoor recreation and his memories of the atomic tests in Nevada. McMillan ends by speaking about the social changes he has seen, the entertainment of earlier days and the need for feeding range for livestock in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mamie Buettner conducted by Gertrude Anne Moore on February 21, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview Buettner discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada and offers insight into the day-to-day life of a Las Vegas old timer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gayle Wallace conducted by Steven Stover on February 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wallace discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Wallace begins by describing his father's career as a mechanic working on the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Wallace then describes moving to North Las Vegas, Nevada, what life was like in the developing city, and living in a tent. He talks about his career as a floral designer, how Las Vegas has changed, and recreational activities in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lindsay Wenger conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 13, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Lindsay Wenger discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2013 for her residency at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC). She talks about her experience on the night of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting and recalls a few specific patients she treated throughout the night and into the morning. After discussing the events at the hospital, she explains how she has been emotionally affected and how her view of Las Vegas as a community has changed.
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