Oral history interview with Don Welch conducted by his daughter, Kelly Welch, on March 15, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Welch discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada, including being raised in Las Vegas and life in the city during the 1930s. He describes how Las Vegas and the surrounding areas have grown and changed, his education, and the construction of casinos and other important buildings.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Chester Davis conducted by Keith Sargent on June 24, 1987 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In his interview Davis discusses his time working as a librarian in the James Dickinson Library at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Davis focuses his interview on a remodel of the library both at the physical and technological level.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elmer Grayson conducted by Keith Baldwin on March 09, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grayson discusses atomic testing, education, the Old Frontier Casinos, and African-American entertainers in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lee Cagley conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on August 08, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Cagley discusses the importance of keeping the various pieces of the infrastructure of a resort invisible in order to maximize the visitor experience. He also describes the challenges the Las Vegas, Nevada resort industry finds in creating the best visitor experience for multiple generations at the same time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bonnie Hawkins conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hawkins discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1950s. She then describes Madison School and the Westside. Lastly, Hawkins discusses the Moulin Rouge and changes within the Westside community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas Barbarite conducted by Dennis Chamberland on March 03, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Barbarite discusses his time at the Four Queens Hotel and the Dunes Hotel as a dealer as well as his work as a pit boss at the Flamingo Hotel, the Aladdin Hotel, and Caesars Palace. Barbarite also discusses the involvement of the mob in Las Vegas, particularly the influence of Bugsy Siegel in the operation of various properties.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Eppenger conducted by Claytee D. White on September 09, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Jerry Eppenger discusses working as a security guard at the Bonanza Hotel and the Nevada Test Site. He then talks about attending dealer school and starting a career in dealing. He then discusses segregation and racial relations in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1970s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ray Ruff conducted by Scott Benjamin on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ruff discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Chicago, Illinois in 1954. Ruff also discusses his employment and the environment at the Desert Inn Hotel. Ruff later discusses golf and Las Vegas politicians.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mayer Jacob (Chic) Hecht conducted by Julie Sefman on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Chic Hecht discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. He also talks about the retail business world, being a state senator, being a U.S. senator, and being an ambassador to the island nation of the Bahamas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Daniel Romano conducted by Claytee D. White on December 10, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Romano discusses his early life Walnut, California. He talks about his father’s water ski business, moving to Boulder City, Nevada, and attending dinner shows in Las Vegas. Romano recalls his involvement with The Neon Museum, copyright issues with the signs, and the growth of the museum. Lastly, Romano discusses the history behind one of his homes.
Archival Collection