Oral history interview with Jeanne P. Chretien conducted by Cynthia L. Reeves on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Chretien discusses her early education, first occupations, political activity, and involvement in groups such as the Girl Scouts in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also talks about her religious activity, enrolling into Nevada Southern University (now known as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas), and the changes in Las Vegas over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elmer H. Nighswonger conducted by James F. Sullivan on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nighswonger describes joining the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department in 1946 and his career as a firefighter. Nighswonger discusses what the fire department was like during the 1940s, and how it and Las Vegas, Nevada has changed. He also talks about several fires and calls he attended, the fire engines used by the city during that time, and the limitations of those fire engines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Esther Wolverton conducted by David Haymack on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wolverton discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1927 and recalls her first impressions of the city. She also describes experiencing the first Helldorado Parade, social life in Las Vegas, and her employment as a waitress. Later, Wolverton discusses the construction and development of McCarran Airport. Lastly, she talks about population growth in Las Vegas and the significance gaming has to the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Prather conducted by Bruce Finkelstein on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Prather discusses his childhood and personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prather discusses his education, recreational activities he did as a child, and how Las Vegas has changed. Prather describes the swampy marshlands he used to play in near Las Vegas, viewing nuclear weapons tests and the nuclear fallout safety drills they would perform in school, and witnessing a plane crash in the North Las Vegas, Nevada area. Prather also discusses the arrival of Howard Hughes in Las Vegas and the effect he had on the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nancy Houssels conducted by Claytee D. White on March 19, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 1. Houssels discusses going to school at Berkley University and the University of California Los Angeles, and then migrating to Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses dancing at the Dunes Hotel and later at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino where she met her husband. She then discusses her part in starting the Nevada Dance Theatre and being a “prime mover” in the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Bunker conducted by Kent Harmon on October 11, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Mr. Bunker’s family life from Bunkerville to Las Vegas, Nevada. During the interview Robert discusses farming, religious life, and raising a family in Las Vegas. He also discusses the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane on Mount Potosi and describes McCarran Airport and Nellis Airport in the early days.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eldon E. Gearing conducted by Claytee D. White on February 07, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gearing begins by describing how he developed his skills as a sheet metal worker through apprenticeships and his time in the United States Navy during World War II as an aviation metalsmith. Gearing discusses his air conditioning business and the contracting work he did for homes and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada during the late 1950s and 1960s, including at Caesars Palace and the Tropicana. Other topics of discussion include rising drug use in the United States, his political opinions on issues such as welfare and government restrictions, and the future of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leroy Payne conducted by Claytee D. White on January 29, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Payne discusses working for Lockheed Overseas Corporation during World War II and his construction career in Las Vegas, Nevada. Payne describes traveling around England while employed by Lockheed Corporation and performing procurement duties for United States military bases. He also describes meeting and marrying his wife in Belfast, Ireland in 1943. Payne concludes by discussing their move to Las Vegas during the 1960s and his work in housing development constructing different neighborhoods and communities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Nona Carroll conducted by Claytee D. White on July 06, 2018 and July 16, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Carroll discusses her family background and early life in St. Louis, Missouri. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987, her employment with Computer Software Analyst, Inc., and working at Nellis Air Force Base. In the second interview, Carroll talks about her community involvement in Las Vegas and her membership with the Summerlin Women’s Club. Lastly, Carroll discusses the organization J.U.G.S. (Justice, Unity, Generosity, Service, Inc.) and the Girl Friends, Inc.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Erick Spiess conducted by Thomas Barr on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Spiess discusses his personal history and how he came to Las Vegas, Nevada. Spiess describes how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed, construction projects he has worked on, and his interest in inventing. Spiess also discusses his career as the electrical inspector at the Nevada Test Site, how and why the nuclear tests were conducted, and the commercial applications of the tests. He goes on to talk about radiation and the effects of nuclear fallout.
Archival Collection