Oral history interview with Richard T. Crawford conducted by Claytee D. White on April 30, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Crawford discusses his employment at 7-Eleven as a store auditor. He describes opening the first retail establishment in Green Valley, Nevada, Green Valley Grocery Store, and describes the history of his business. Lastly, Crawford discusses the significance of The Smith Center and Artemus Ham Concert Hall for the arts in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Murl Emery conducted by R. C. Turner on March 26, 1976 and April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers early life and schooling in Nevada, and boating along the Colorado River.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Herbst conducted by Stefani Evans on August 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Herbst discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois, and his father’s chain of service stations, Terrible Herbst. He remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, taking ownership of his father’s company, and expanding the business to California and Arizona. Herbst recalls a shortage of fuel during the early 1970s, how service station owners dealt with the shortage, and converting service stations to be self-serve. Lastly, Herbst discusses the ideal location for service stations, and adjusting fuel prices.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wilvera Leavitt conducted by Pat van Betten on October 30, 2012 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Leavitt talks about growing up in the township of Arden, Nevada. She talked about her father’s employment for the Blue Diamond Mine, the water tower in Arden, and moving to Mesquite, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Henry Wieking conducted by Anna Dean Kepper on August 20, 1975 and August 21, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wieking discusses the Old Mormon Fort and a recollection of early Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William McLeod conducted by Valerie McLeod on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McLeod begins by speaking about his career as a contractor, the growth of Las Vegas in the 1960s and the city’s population. Moreover, he speaks about recreational activities such as riding motorcycles and exploring mines around Nevada. McLeod also spends time going over Indian reservations around Nevada and neighboring states, the Lost City in Nevada, boomtowns and ghost towns. Lastly, McLeod talks about the history of water and springs in the state of Nevada, what he would consider to be the Old Ranch and the stagecoaches that passed through Gold Point, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christine Szukala conducted by Bridgette Foote on November 12, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Christine shares her family history and the story of her Thai mother and American Air Force father who met in Thailand and married before moving to the United States in 1970. She talks about her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada near Nellis Air Force base with her six siblings. Christine discusses her beliefs of how her newly immigrated mother adapted to American life, including altering her recipes to fit her husband's taste and reducing her visits to nearby Buddhist temples.
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Oral history interview with Vera Renteria conducted by Dan West on February 11, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Renteria discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1928 in search of job opportunities and talks about the various jobs she held. Renteria then describes the Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam), recreational activities, and wildlife around the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dewitt Tracht conducted by Jay Brewer on April 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tracht discusses business in Southern Nevada and how the business market expanded and developed in his lifetime. Tracht lastly talks about the early techniques of advertisement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maceo Anderson conducted by Cassandra Wesley on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Anderson discusses black entertainers in Las Vegas, Nevada, his experiences in tap dancing, and education.
Archival Collection