Candice Bush interviews Lucy Alires, born in Pecos, New Mexico in 1941, about her experiences as a Spanish American who lived in Henderson after moving there with her husband. Alires describes the growth of the city, including Carver Park, and discusses some of the discrimination faced by Latin and African American citizens that she witnessed. She also mentions some of the changes in the Las Vegas Strip over time, including the presence of Latin Americans in the hospitality workforce.
Carlton Kelley interviews Robert Allen (born in McAlester, Oklahoma in 1919) about his career in acting and his role in the entertainment business in Las Vegas. Allen also discusses the growth of Las Vegas, the role of mining in Southern Nevada, the work of instrumental political figures, the role of the gaming industry, the availability of other recreational activities, the modes of transportation available to locals, the various actors and television or movie productions in which he was involved, and the various dining options for Las Vegas locals.
Elizabeth Cleary interviews Edith Allan (born 1889 in Iowa), a longtime resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, on her experiences living and working in this city. Allan discusses living on a dairy farm, which was her family's source of income, as well as her experiences working for Western Union and the Sal Sagev. Allan also mentions the building of Hoover Dam, Block 16, and the Stewart Ranch. Another male is present during the interview as well.
Henry Pierzchala interviews Skip Allen (born 1935 in Somerset, Kentucky) about his early experiences in Las Vegas. Allen discusses some of his experience from a position in human resources for the military, as well as working for his father in a business in the area of what is now the Las Vegas Strip. Allen also describes recreational activities, his views on morality while living in Las Vegas, and some of his later experiences in hospitality, specifically in the food and beverage and hotel industries.
Anthony Robone interviews Bill Armstrong (born in Kentucky in 1921) in Armstrong’s apartment complex about his experiences in Las Vegas. Robone asks a variety of questions relating to Armstrong’s bootlegging in Kentucky before he arrived in Las Vegas, his involvement with the Las Vegas Dealers, the weather as it relates to other parts of the country, the impacts of the work of Howard Hughes on the town, the construction of Hoover Dam, the above ground atomic testing, the growth of Las Vegas and tourism, changes in gambling habits for the next generation, and the social and recreational activities residents took part in.
John Cahlan (1902-1988) discusses his experiences in journalism, including his work as an editor for the Review Journal. Cahlan is interviewed by Lester Wisbrod. He provides details on some of the major events covered by the newspaper, such the building of the Boulder Dam, as well as his work in establishing Nellis Air Force Base. Cahlan also describes some of the social changes over time, including the growth of air travel for tourism and gambling.
James Weslowski interviews John Cahlan (1902-1988) in Cahlan’s home about the history of Las Vegas. Cahlan provides mostly his own narrative about the beginning of Nellis Air Force Base, originally named the Las Vegas Aerial Gunnery School for the Army Air Corps. He also discusses the role of the city commissioners in establishing Nellis as a permanent airbase, as well as the role of Western Air Express, a commercial air company which eventually became Western Airlines.
Larry DuRussel interviews John Cahlan (b. 1902) about the history of Nevada. Cahlan discusses how Las Vegas was developed, how Nellis Air Force Base was built and what it was used for, and how water was originally supplied to Las Vegas. Cahlan also mentions the various Hollywood stars he met during his career as a journalist for the Review Journal. DuRussel also asks Cahlan about the atomic testing conducted in Nevada.
William Gekakis interviews his friend airline pilot Paul A. Beach (b. 1922) at his home, about Las Vegas, Nevada history. Beach, who moved to Las Vegas in 1952, covers topics including housing, physical boundaries of the city, the airport, church, transportation, tourist recreation, the economy, Nellis Air Force Base, the Strip, industries, presidential visits, the Korean War, atomic tests, and the educational system.
Laurie Brower interviews Miriam Belmont (b. 1923), who moved to Nevada in 1928, at her home in Las Vegas. Brower, Belmont, and Belmont’s son are all present during the entirety of the interview. During the interview Belmont discusses her move to Las Vegas, various occupations, education, addresses, church involvement, Hoover Dam, famous people, atomic testing, Old Ranch Country Club in Southern California, and the ways in which Las Vegas had changed since she first arrived.