Oral history interview with Jeffery Silver conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on November 14 and 25, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Silver recalls his childhood in Beverly Hills, California before his family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada when Silver was in the fourth grade. His father worked with Tony Cornero at The Stardust Hotel and the family lived in a Francisco Park duplex. Silver attended various local schools, eventually graduating from Las Vegas High School in the same class with Bruce Woodbury and Gardner Jolley. Silver graduated from Northwestern University with an accounting degree, and attended the University of San Diego School of Law. Upon returning to Las Vegas, he joined the accounting firm Laventhol and Horwath (L&H), and at age 22 became Nevada's youngest person to pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Governor Mike O'Callaghan appointed Silver to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, a position that utilized his legal and accounting expertise. In two interview sessions, Silver describes his legal career with the firm Lionel Sawyer Collins, Nevada's North/South power struggle, his relationship with Oscar Goodman, The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement (The Mob Museum), his work at The Landmark (1979-1983) during the Wolfram/Tickel era of ownership, his work at the Riviera (ca. 1983-1984) under owner Meshulam Riklis, his short stint at Caesars World (1984), and his various law partnerships over his 50 years of practice. Digital audio and photographs available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vincent Merialdo conducted by Louis Kalish on January 26, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Merialdo discusses being a part of the legalization of gambling in Las Vegas, Nevada. Merialdo also talks about the growth of gambling and how it was good for the economy at the time. He later shares what the Las Vegas Strip was like before it became what it was at the time of the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edith Giles Barcus conducted by Tara L. Shepperson on March 17, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Barcus discusses living in Goldfield,Nevada, mining, purple glass, water conservation, her family history, and her birth in Colorado.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sharon Walker conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 08, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Sharon Walker describes her adolescence in Las Vegas, Nevada and the differences in culture as compared to her childhood in Toledo, Ohio. She also recalls the Walker Furniture business, her father’s careers, and her uncles Ed “E” Walker and Lou “Paddock” Walker.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Engel conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 01, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Engel highlights people, casinos, and other observations of Las Vegas, Nevada history that occurred since his move to the city in 1953. He provides insights about the role of an accountant in the gaming industry. He also discusses the influence of Jewish business leaders in an array of local gaming and non-gaming issues, including the retail world, Jim Crow era segregation, and the astonishing growth of the valley over six decades.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Douglas Dickerson conducted by Chris Sivels on March 28, 2005 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Dickerson reflects upon his career as a high school teacher and administrator in Nebraska. He discusses his upbringing that influenced his decision to teach, the process by which he became an administrator, and challenges that he routinely faced.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with UNLV History Professor Michael S. Green conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 25, 2021 for The Great Pause: Las Vegas Chronicles of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Subjects discussed include: Teaching at UNLV; life habits; medical observations; and adapting to health protocols.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vennis Johnston conducted by an unidentified collector on June 19, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johnston discusses how she first moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1930 and the economic changes that have occurred since she first moved.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lydi Owen-Martin conducted by Joann Brown on October 17, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Owens-Martin discusses her experiences as a lay midwife, mother, and housewife after moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. Owens-Martin also discusses the history of midwifery in Nevada and her education.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jacob Von Tobel conducted by an unknown interviewer on June 06, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas.
Archival Collection