Oral history interview with Larry Ruvo conducted by David G. Schwartz on January 27, 2009 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. Ruvo begins by discussing his position as a front desk clerk at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1970s. Ruvo then describes how Jay Sarno changed the casino industry by designing Caesar’s Palace with a single theme. Ruvo then chronicles how gaming gradually was legalized in more areas throughout the world and how Sarno capitalized on making Caesar’s Palace an iconic casino which made people want to travel to Las Vegas. Lastly, Ruvo discusses Sarno’s focus on offering both gaming and entertainment options for guests at Caesar's Palace.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Diane Guinn conducted by Claytee D. White on February 12, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, Guinn explains growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s, and describes her education, friends, and local neighborhood near the intersection of Fremont Street and Stewart Avenue. Guinn describes working in the State of Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, and recalls events and campaigns for welfare rights that took place during the 1970s and 1980s. She also recalls working with Ruby Duncan in the development of Operation Life, a nonprofit organization that promoted welfare reform in West Las Vegas. Lastly, Guinn talks about urban development, residential living conditions, and politicians in Las Vegas during the 1970s and 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betsy Rhodes conducted by Melinda McGeorge Thompson on February 24, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Betsy Rhodes shares a brief personal history before discussing her move to Las Vegas with her husband Leonard in 1958. She talks about her husband's dental profession, her children, and life in the early 1960s in Las Vegas. Rhodes shares details of her volunteering work with the Junior League and Assistance League of Las Vegas, detailing the groups' evolving missions, member counts, and trials faced to raise funds.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Digles conducted by Kathleen Wilcox on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Digles discusses his career as an editor of the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sarah Serna conducted by Dennis McBride on December 04, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. Serna opens her interview by discussing her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993, and her first assignment as a Methodist minister to a small congregation in North Las Vegas. Serna then explains how she became involved in LGBT social justice issues after witnessing expressions of homophobia and prejudice within her church. She discusses her involvement with the Las Vegas LGBT community and the development of a pastoral care outreach program, the development of the World AIDS Day prayer vigil, and the foundation of the Community Counseling Center, later renamed Lighthouse Ministry. Serna then talks about her decision to transition from the Methodist Church to the Episcopalian Church and becoming the first Episcopalian priest in Las Vegas to bless same-sex marriages. She also discusses the development of a transitional housing program, changes in the LGBT community in Las Vegas, and many individuals involved in LGBT social justice programs in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jean Childs conducted by Claytee White on December 02, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Jean recalls the culture shock of segregation and racism her family encountered upon arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada from California in 1963. Jean spoke about how her mother was a role model for her, who carved a path of fighting for the underprivileged, growing the Head Start program in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Carlson conducted by Allen Carlson on October 11, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Joe Carlson talks about how his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1921 so that his father could work on the railroad. Joe discusses education, occupations, family life, and the social, economic and environmental changes of early Las Vegas. Joe also mentions presidential visits, the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane, early atomic tests, the old Mesquite forests, Fremont Street and the building of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don R. Waitman conducted by Eileen Green on February 09, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Waitman begins by describing life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s and explains how the city has changed and expanded. He describes other aspects of Southern Nevada history and life, including recreational activities and the growth of Henderson, Nevada because of the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant. Waitman then discusses what life was like in Nevada during World War II, being drafted, and later returning to Las Vegas to work for the United States Postal Service. Waitman concludes by talking about mining in Nevada and his family history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Allen Fritzsche conducted by Joyce Moore on February 12, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Fritzsche begins by discussing his time in the United States Air Force, his interest in electronics, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964 after being employed by EG & G, Inc. He describes his job duties measuring radiation levels at the Nevada Test Site, as well as at other test sites and nuclear power plants around the country and the world. Fritzsche talks about the effects of radiation and nuclear fallout, nuclear weapons tests, and life in Las Vegas during the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Morgan Mills conducted by Matthew Carr on March 26, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mills discusses being involved in major projects in the Las Vegas, Nevada area while he was living in California. Mills also discusses Boulder City, Nevada and Reno, Nevada. He later discusses his career as an electrical engineer, as well as working on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam).
Archival Collection