The Voices from the Past: The Las Vegas Springs Preserve Oral History Project consists of nine interviews conducted by Joe Thompson in 2002 with community members, field experts, and politicians involved in the creation of the Springs Preserve, which opened in 2007. Interviewees include Claude and Liz Warren, John Mendoza, Richard Bryan, and others. Digital audio available; no transcripts available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sandy Daly conducted by Bud Stephen on June 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project. Daly moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947 and she describes her educational experiences and how the gaming industry related to her upbringing. Stephen also asks questions relating to politics, religion, social club membership, theater, recreational activities for children and adults, atomic testing, tourism, local sports, television, prostitution, social class, and the development of the Strip. Interview includes audio recording (analog, digital) and transcript (digital).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald Fabbi conducted by Claytee D. White on October 24, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Fabbi discusses his family background in Tonapah, Nevada and Silver Peak, Nevada. He talks about his family’s move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and his employment at the Nevada Power Company. Fabbi recalls the Helldorado parade, the Moulin Rouge casino, and the volunteering he has done around the city.
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 Lena Brass conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 17, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brass discusses her upbringing in Winsboro, Louisiana and describes living during segregation. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1975 with her husband, her employment at Nevada State Bank, and participating in the Martin Luther King parade. Brass then talks about the advancement of banking technology, the utilization of computers, and her experience as an African American bank manager. Later, Brass talks of her mentors, her faith, and the economic downturn of Jackson Street businesses in the Westside. Lastly, Brass discusses the future of the African American community in Las Vegas, the Westside, and business networking with the church community.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Denzle Pease conducted by Sandra Johnson on October 11, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pease discusses his personal history and his experience in Boulder City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Cuti conducted by Hans Kohls on February 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Frank Cuti discusses his experiences in the gaming industry in Nevada, such as his work as a floor man and a dealer in properties such as the Frontier Club during the 1940s. He then describes the changes in casinos like the El Rancho Hotel, Club Bingo, and the Flamingo Hotel. Other topics discussed include the nature of competition between properties, cheaters, the mob, the involvement of unions, and Howard Hughes’ influence on the development of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. John P. Watkins conducted by Claytee D. White on April 29, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Dr. Watkins talks about his schooling, his medical career, and medicine and medical practitioners in Las Vegas, Nevada from the mid-1950s. He recalls how he met his wife, Frances (née) O’Rourke, and the Las Vegas places he, Frances, and their sons John and Brian lived. In particular, he describes their Desert Inn Country Club neighbors and neighborhood, where he and his family lived for fourteen years. He then discusses Las Vegas as a gateway to outdoor activities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Guy Roark conducted by Patricia Elliott on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Roark discusses changes in Las Vegas, Nevada, specifically the expansion of downtown Las Vegas. Roark then describes the above ground atomic tests and recalls the magnitude of a particular explosion. Lastly, Roark discusses his visits to northern Nevada and describes the nightlife in Reno, Nevada.
Archival Collection