Mabel Neal interviews drug store owner Frank M. Bollig at the Plaza Drug Store in Parkway Plaza Shopping Center located at Sahara and Maryland Parkway, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in 1906 in Kansas, Bollig relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942. From the perspective of a local pharmacist, Bollig provides historical context of Southern Nevada from 1942.
Lee Siskey interviews his neighbor Wayne Brazelle (born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on December 28th, 1946) in the living room of Mister Brazelle’s home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also present during the interview is Mister Brazelle’s girlfriend, Celia C. Rotsteen. Mister Brazelle relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, after living in Los Angeles for three years. This interview details Mister Brazelle’s work history in the Las Vegas area and how Las Vegas has changed, from 1959 to 1978.
Harry Brown, born in Independence, Missouri in 1912, moved to Las Vegas with his wife in 1934 during the Great Depression in order to start working on the Boulder Dam. Brown continued his occupation as a carpenter throughout the years while living in Las Vegas and resided in several properties with his family in Las Vegas and North Las Vegas. During the interview, Brown describes some of his experiences from being in the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, the equivalent of a modern search and rescue team, which was deputized by the sheriff. Brown additionally describes the tradition of the Helldorado parades, in which he was a part, and he provides his overall thoughts on living in Las Vegas.
Rob Mullaney interviews William “Bill” Brymer (born 1916 in Cambria, Illinois) about his experience living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brymer explains how he moved to Las Vegas for the gaming attractions and eventually married and had two children. Brymer worked as a craps dealer at the Frontier Club in Downtown Las Vegas and also at the Last Frontier on the Las Vegas Strip. He later worked as a pit boss at the Sahara. Brymer also discusses a visit by Lyndon B. Johnson, the early atomic testing, the importance of religion in his life, changes in climate, the development of the Strip, the existence and decline of agriculture, and some of the entertainers who performed on the Strip.
Debra Leu interviews his friend, agriculture teacher, Ferren W. Bunker (born June 16th, 1918 in Bunkerville, Nevada) in the Bunker home. In addition to being born in Bunkerville, Bunker has lived in Reno, Caliente and Las Vegas, Nevada. During the interview, Bunker discusses early above ground atomic tests, economic and environmental changes, and his heritage as a native Nevadan pioneer and old-timer. Employment is also discussed, as he describes what it was like working as Clark County Cooperative Extension Agent, in the early days.
Drew Casale interviews Carey Burke (b. 1936 in Columbus, Ohio) about his experience living in Nevada. Burke discusses moving to Henderson, Nevada with his family at a young age and eventually living in Las Vegas. Burke also discusses some the occupations he held, including his profession at the time as a passenger service agent for an airline company. He then talks about McCarran Airport and the various airlines in existence over time before talking about the development of the Downtown and Strip areas over time. The interview concludes with Burke describing his casino gaming chip collection, a hobby that evolved from an earlier hobby of coin collecting.
Robert Ambrose started in the gaming industry as a slot attendant at the Tropicana Atlantic City in 1985. After three years in that role, Ambrose was promoted to supervisor, a position he held for an additional five years before being promoted again to shift manager at the same property. He would eventually move into the position of executive director of slots and marketing operations which he held until he left the Tropicana in 2007. Ambrose went on to write for Casino Enterprise Management before helping to build and open Indiana Live! in Indiana. He later joined Drexel University to assist in building their gaming program and training lab. Ambrose is currently an instructor in the Center for Hospitality & Sport Management at Drexel and also writes for Casino Life magazine. The interview with Ambrose begins with his discussion of the various roles and duties of the different positions he held at Tropicana Atlantic City. He mentions some of the mentors he has had throughout his career and some of the important skills and approaches in slot management that they taught him. Ambrose then describes what he believes are the qualities of both good and bad slot managers before explaining his philosophy on what makes a good slot floor as well. He also provides details of his experience in building and opening a casino with the late Dennis Gomes and Cordish Gaming. He then discusses his experiences and interactions with slot vendors before describing how he believes slot operations has changed since he started in the industry, specifically considering changes in technology and the use of free play. Ambrose provides his opinion on the future of slots, particularly with skill-based gaming and eSports, and he answers the question of whether he gambles. Ambrose finalizes the interview by providing his advice to young people who want to eventually work in the slot industry.
Mike Gausling started in the casino industry as a slot floor person at the Aladdin in 1976. After about a year, he moved to the Stardust in a similar capacity and in 1980 went to the the Sundance, later named Fitzgeralds and The D Las Vegas. Gausling later worked at the Holiday Casino where he held supervisory roles and then after about 12 years in those roles, eventually assisted in opening the Stratosphere. He would then move to The Mirage where he would start on the floor again before moving into higher positions at that property. Gausling later went to Green Valley Ranch Resort where he currently holds the position of slot guest service supervisor. Mike Gausling’s interview begins with his discussion of the various roles in slot operations he has held over the past 40 years. After describing the various positions and properties at which he worked, Gausling provides his thoughts on what makes both good and bad slot managers. He then discusses his experiences in interacting with customers and what his philosophy is on what casino guests want in playing slots. Gausling also discusses the differences between local casino properties and those on the Las Vegas Strip, and he describes his work in opening Green Valley Ranch. The interview continues with Gausling’s opinion on the impact of technology and free play as some of the biggest changes in the slot industry, and he later describes how a slot floor should be laid out. He also discusses how he thinks the future of slot machines will look like, particularly with skill-based gaming, and he also mentions his personal gambling preferences. The interview concludes with Gausling’s advice to young people who want to go into slot operations as a career.
Dorothy Engel Andre (b. 1898), was born in New York City. She relocated to Nevada in 1922. The interview takes place within the Andres’ home and Dorothy interviewed by Elizabeth Patrick Nelson. During this interview Mrs. Andre, a homemaker, discusses her life experiences with emphasis on her life in Nevada. Her husband is also present during the interview.