Oral history interview with Mike Meade conducted by Steve Gortz on February 28, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Meade speaks about growing up in Tonopah, Nevada before its decline in population, his move to Elko, Nevada and eventually to the city of Las Vegas. Moreover, he talks about the development of the Strip, the differences between Las Vegas and rural Nevada, as well as the changing environmental landscape. Meade also spends time discussing the controversy surrounding the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) dormitory at the time of this interview, the attitude of locals, and his opinion on brothels and prostitution. Lastly, Meade talks about the city’s pollution, the sports and recreation throughout the whole of the state and ends by reading a poem about Nevada from a Bicentennial book.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Herb Tobman conducted by Deborah Fischer on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Herb Tobman talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada while working for Standard Oil as a tire, battery and accessory salesman, then working for the Moulin Rouge as the general manager in 1955. He gives a description of the hotels on Las Vegas Boulevard and downtown. Tobman then discusses the types of gambling that were popular. He also talks about the accommodations, transportation, entertainment, and the economy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ralph L. Canfield conducted by Mariann McDuffee on March 21, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Canfield discusses different housing developments in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos, Lake Mead, Nevada’s environmental quality; prostitution, and atomic testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eric Calvillo conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on June 18, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Calvillo discusses his early life in San Jose, California before eventually moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. He talks about completing a culinary internship at the Picasso restaurant in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino and how he has always been interested in the arts. Calvillo then describes his career in art as a painter, his Día de los Muertos inspired art, and showcasing his art pieces at First Friday in the Las Vegas Arts District. Later, Calvillo talks about making art more accessible, commissioned art pieces he has made, and explains the time it takes him to finish a piece. Lastly, Calvillo discusses his thoughts on the term Latinx, the art scene in Las Vegas, and his future plans as an artist.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward A. Collins conducted by Steven L. Smith on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Ed Collins discusses gender equality in the culinary industry of Las Vegas, Nevada and the changes he saw in the industry over the years. He also speaks about Bugsy Siegel's influence on the emergence of big shows on the Las Vegas Strip. He then discusses Las Vegas before and after the appearance of Howard Hughes and Bob Maheu.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Zoe Allison conducted by Debra Ruth on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Allison discusses her career with Central Telephone Company, working at the Sahara Hotel as a switchboard operator, and owning a dress shop on Fremont Street. She also talks about notable locations such as Craig Road Speedway, Silver Slipper Race Track, Nellis Air Base and Mount Charleston, and the politics of prostitution in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Cuti conducted by Hans Kohls on February 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Frank Cuti discusses his experiences in the gaming industry in Nevada, such as his work as a floor man and a dealer in properties such as the Frontier Club during the 1940s. He then describes the changes in casinos like the El Rancho Hotel, Club Bingo, and the Flamingo Hotel. Other topics discussed include the nature of competition between properties, cheaters, the mob, the involvement of unions, and Howard Hughes’ influence on the development of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph E. Sullivan conducted by Heather Comer on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sullivan discusses his personal history growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada after moving there from Denver, Colorado in 1928. Sullivan describes the history of Las Vegas and some of its particular aspects, including the Helldorado Festival and how snakes were driven out of the Lake Mead area to create the lake. He also describes working in one of the first Las Vegas clubs and his latest career owning a slot machine company. Sullivan goes on to discuss the development of McCarran International Airport, how Las Vegas has changed, and the future of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Myron E. Leavitt conducted by Thomas Neill on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Leavitt discusses his childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada during 1930s. He describes recreational activities during the time, his education, his law practice, and his eventual position as Justice of the Peace between 1960 to 1962. Leavitt then discusses issues and events occurring during his life including city navigation, the Las Vegas creek, employment, the arrival of Howard Hughes, the economy, atomic testing, and World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bill Belknap conducted by R. J. Johnson on February 12, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Belknap discusses Colorado River, Nevada State Advisory Commission, WWII, Henderson Power Plant during WWII, and the El Rancho Hotel in the 1940’s. Belknap also discusses the Tule Springs Archaeological Project 1966-1967, atomic testing, Lake Mead, Boulder City, music and Jazz in Southern Nevada, teaching at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), photography, and the Grand Canyon.
Archival Collection