Oral history interview with Jacqueline Evans conducted by Susan Rapport on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Jacqueline Evans discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also talks about her extracurricular activities in high school, recreational activities, and other forms of entertainment. She also discusses political events in the 1960s, her husband's involvement in Native American affairs, and the flooding problem in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Juanita Gusewelle conducted by Nita Kreuzer on March 06, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gusewelle discusses life during World War I and II, the effects of the Great Depression, Nellis Air Force Base, Helldorado Days, and political changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roger Bryan conducted by Paul Murphy on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bryan, who was the principal of Harvey Dondero Elementary School at the time of the interview, mainly discusses his background in education and his experiences teaching at various schools around Southern Nevada. Bryan mentions several of the cities he lived in prior to coming to Las Vegas, Nevada as well as the various parts of town he lived in after arriving. He also talks specifically about the schools he attended in Las Vegas, superintendents in charge of the district, his decisions while on the school board, the extent of vandalism in schools, and how the school district has changed over the years. Bryan finalizes the interview with a discussion of the most influential teachers he had when he was a student.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Colleen Gregory conducted by Tim Waters on April 6, 1976 and April 7, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gregory first talks about her move to Las Vegas, Nevada; her early education, school activities, and her college education. She also talks about the first banks, Helldorado, the atomic testing, and environmental changes. Other topics covered include Howard Hughes, Western-style influences, the first properties on the Strip, World War II, racial prejudice, and changes she has noticed during her career in banking.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Richert conducted by Mark Ferrario on March 29, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Richert briefly describes his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada, observing nuclear weapons tests, and meeting then-Senator John F. Kennedy while he was campaigning in Las Vegas for the U.S. presidency. Mainly, Richert discusses his career as a police chemist, and later his work helping to improve education in the Clark County School District as an assistant principal.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward Baca conducted by Claytee D. White on January 28, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Baca opens his interview describing his parents and his youth in Wyoming. He then discusses moving to Bryce, Utah in the 1940s, his career in coal mining, and the process of removing coal from the mine. Baca describes his brief time working for the federal government, going to trade school to learn morse code, and working for the railroad. He then talks about switching careers to to work as an air conditioning insulator, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969. Baca then describes how he found religion, his efforts to learn more about Christianity, and forming a ministry where he preaches. He discusses his Christian radio program, his singing ministry, and his efforts to save a Christian radio station from closing. Lastly, Baca discusses his religious music albums, touring in a religious music group, and faith healing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stanley Mallin conducted by David G. Schwartz on January 29, 2008 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Mallin discusses his personal history and meeting Jay Sarno in 1940 at the University of Missouri. He describes moving to Atlanta, Georgia with Sarno in the late 1940s to start a tile business. He then talks about their other business building apartment complexes in Atlanta and eventually building the motel Atlanta Cabana in 1958. Later, Mallin discusses selling their business and opening Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and describes the success it had during its first months of operation. Mallin then talks about eventually selling Circus Circus Hotel and Casino to William Bennett and William Pennington. Lastly, Mallin recalls opening Caesars Palace and his last business ventures with Sarno.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Daniel A. Moore conducted by Norwood Germany Jr. on March 03, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Moore discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952 for his father's career. Moore discusses his own career at McCarran Airport as well as his interest in bowling. Moore also discusses the African American community in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maria Benítez conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Maribel Estrada Calderón on June 21, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Maria Benítez is the image of a hardworking and determined Salvadoran woman. After facing adversity amidst the Salvadorian Civil War she talks about her journey as a nurse in El Salvador and migrating to the United States. Here in Las Vegas, she has worked as a cook on the Strip, been an active member of her church, and supported the education of her children selling pupusas. Subjects discussed include: El Salvador, Salvadorian Civil War, Migration, US Citizenship Documentation, and Judaism.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Iona Thompson conducted by Lisa C. Krueger on March 08, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses different aspects of life in Las Vegas, Nevada during World War II. Thompson describes the rationing of food and fuel, as well as the increased military presence in Las Vegas and how that affected the city. Thompson also describes how Las Vegas has changed since the 1940s, prominent locations in the city such as Lorenzi Park and McCarran Field, and pollution caused by the chemical and metal plants in Henderson, Nevada. Lastly, she talks about flight and bombing trainings in Las Vegas and working at the Las Vegas Army Gunnery School.
Archival Collection