On November 1, 1974, collector James M. Greene, interviewed widow and mine leaser, Bertha Gresh (born August 29th, 1883, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin) in her home in Nelson, Nevada. This interview covers early mining days, Bertha’s personal history, and the history of Nelson County. She also discusses her art, social activities, and the prizes she won as a visual artist in Nevada.
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Oral history interview with Harry Worrall conducted by Megg Ann Smith on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Worrall discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history and shares experiences about the development of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John F. Lewis conducted by Steven John Galler on March 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lewis describes founding Clark Dairy with his brother in Moapa Valley, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ronald Bananto conducted by Eric Henningeron March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bonanto discusses police work and life in Pioche, Nevada.
Archival Collection
On March 16, 1978, Valerie McLeod interviewed her father William Lee McLeod (b. January 31st, 1937 in Los Angeles, California) about his life in Las Vegas, Nevada. McLeod begins by speaking about his career as a contractor, the growth of Las Vegas and the city’s population. Moreover, he speaks about recreational activities such as riding motorcycles and exploring mines around Nevada. McLeod also spends time going over Indian reservations around Nevada and neighboring states, the Lost City in Nevada, boomtowns and ghost towns. Lastly, McLeod talks about the history of water and springs in the state of Nevada, what he would consider to be the Old Ranch and the stagecoaches that passed through Gold Point, Nevada.
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On February 21, 1979, Dan Buress interviewed Bernice Johnson (born September 13, 1919 in Los Angeles, California) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two discuss Mrs. Johnson’s personal history and her reasons for moving to Las Vegas. Johnson describes moving between Southern California and Las Vegas while her husband worked for the railroad company. The interview concludes with Johnson recalling her memories of the Von Tobel family and the rapid population growth in Las Vegas after the construction of the Nevada Test Site.
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On November 3, 1978, Jane P. Kowalewski interviewed Mazie Martin Jones (born in Las Vegas, Nevada) about her father, Doctor Roy Martin, the first doctor to own a private practice in Las Vegas. Jones explains how her father first arrived in Nevada and his different investments in real estate, hospitals, and hotels. She goes on to explain her father’s hotel pursuits after retiring from medicine in the late forties.
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On March 8, 1975, Kathy Mandel interviewed housewife Madeline Kadin (born in New York) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also present for the interview is Madeline’s husband, who is referred to as “Mr. Kadin.” The three discuss differences between early Las Vegas and the present. The Kadins also explain the history of Helldorado and how it has changed over the years.
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On March 5, 1978, collector Wendy Christian interviewed truck driver Henry Clay Davis (born April 19, 1900 in Irondale, Virginia) in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers Henry Clay Davis’s personal life history as a resident of Las Vegas, which includes hunting and fishing. He also discusses employment, the railroad, old hotels, the Davis Dam, and Lake Mead. Additionally, he offers a detailed description of the Helldorado.
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On March 2, 1980, Steven E. Pilgram interviewed river runner, Georgie Clark (born on November 13, 1910 in Chicago, Illinois) at Sambo’s Coffee Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview is an in-depth discussion about the Colorado River area, including changes, and new rules and regulations. Georgie also recalls working as a real estate agent and as a ferry command, civil servant in World War II.
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