Oral history interview with Darrell Luce conducted by Claytee D. White on September 28, 2003 and October 06, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Darrell Luce discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family in 1932, the history of Las Vegas, the testing of nuclear weapons, Basic Magnesium Inc., Carver Park, the construction of Hoover Dam, and businesses in early downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Inez Rambeau conducted by Jane Ellsworth Olive on March 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Rambeau begins by discussing her family's history in gambling, specifically how her family ran a casino in Louisiana before it was legalized there. Rambeau then discusses her career as the director of sales at the Riviera Hotel & Casino and the convention sales business, as well as efforts to transform Las Vegas into a convention city. She also talks about her boss, Elmo H. Ellsworth, and how he generated interest in Las Vegas with clients and encouraged the city's development.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald Beagle conducted by Michael Clibon in 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this oral history interview, Beagle discusses his upbringing in Wyoming, being stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, and working for J.A Tiberti Construction Company. Mr. Beagle’s wife, Mrs. Beagle is also present during the interview, and adds her input on the topic of raising a family in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Counts conducted by Jim Phillips on October 29, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Counts first talks about her early life in Las Vegas, Nevada, including her educational background and some of the recreational activities in which she took part. She also discusses the atomic testing, the changes in Las Vegas over time, and her familiarity with political figures, and the police department.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carl F. Kelley conducted by James M. Greene on May 02, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kelley discusses moving to Nevada and describes living in Boulder City, Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada and Henderson, Nevada. The interview concludes with an in-depth discussion of the Civilian Conservation Corps activities in Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Payne conducted by Mara E. Vernon on March 19, 1997 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Payne discusses his career with the Las Vegas News Bureau. He talks about his role as Head of the Bureau and his work in promoting Las Vegas through media outlets. Payne remembers the Bureau’s partnership with the Union Pacific Railroad and the beginning of corporate ownership in Las Vegas hotels and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Darwin Gidel conducted by Claytee D. White on October 21, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gidel discusses being a flight engineer in the Air Force during World War II. He describes when he was shot down over Belgium in 1944 and was held as prisoner of war in Belgium and Germany for eleven months. He also discusses being an accountant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Bugbee conducted by Karol Sorrells on July 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bugbee briefly discusses his role as part of the Savings and Loan Commission in Nevada, as well as his thoughts on the above-ground atomic testing. He then talks about gaming and mining, the development of the Las Vegas Strip, and some of the biggest floods storms in the city. He mentions some of the early important community figures and talks about how Las Vegas, Nevada has grown over time, specifically in education. Bugbee later talks about the Sheriff’s Jeep Posse and eventually his thoughts on racial issues and prejudice in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mahlon Brown conducted by Claytee D. White on December 16, 2003 and January 13, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Brown discusses his career as a policeman in Washington, D.C., during the 1960s, an attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada along with Jack Anderson in the Las Vegas Welfare Rights Movement, and as a Justice of the Peace.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Colleen Gregory conducted by Tim Waters on April 6, 1976 and April 7, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gregory first talks about her move to Las Vegas, Nevada; her early education, school activities, and her college education. She also talks about the first banks, Helldorado, the atomic testing, and environmental changes. Other topics covered include Howard Hughes, Western-style influences, the first properties on the Strip, World War II, racial prejudice, and changes she has noticed during her career in banking.
Archival Collection