Oral history interview with Glenn Sayles conducted by John Vanden Heuvel on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sayles discusses moving from New York state to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950. Sayles discusses his experience working for the Las Vegas Police Department and an investigator for the Nevada Real Estate Division. Lastly, Sayles discusses the process and legal aspects of working in real estate.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vera Renteria conducted by Dan West on February 11, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Renteria discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1928 in search of job opportunities and talks about the various jobs she held. Renteria then describes the Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam), recreational activities, and wildlife around the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas McDonald conducted by Ted Papatheodorou on July 05, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McDonald describes his experiences running a newspaper and a restaurant in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a manager at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. McDonald shares several short anecdotes, such as being thrown off of a freight train in 1915 in early Las Vegas, or serving then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson at his restaurant in Chicago.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Keith West conducted by David L. Snyder on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, West discusses the lumber industry in Southern Nevada. West also discusses Las Vegas, Nevada business, and residents, including Ed Von Tobel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jack Melvin conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 24, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Melvin discusses his work as publicity and advertising director for the El Rancho Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada starting in 1948. He goes on to explain his methods of selling advertisements and publicity.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Miriam Belmont conducted by Laurie Brower on March 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview Belmont discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada, 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.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joyce Shugart conducted by Geri E. Guillot on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shugart discusses her arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. Shugart then recalls Boulder (Hoover) Dam, the Las Vegas climate, and her educational experiences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Shugart later discusses entertainment in Las Vegas and recreational activities around the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gayle Wallace conducted by Steven Stover on February 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wallace discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Wallace begins by describing his father's career as a mechanic working on the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Wallace then describes moving to North Las Vegas, Nevada, what life was like in the developing city, and living in a tent. He talks about his career as a floral designer, how Las Vegas has changed, and recreational activities in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marion Lindesmith conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on March 17, 1984 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lindesmith describes her unhappiness with moving to Nevada with her husband in 1942 and living in government-owned housing in Henderson, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Scott conducted by Stephen M. Magee on April 29, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Scott discusses his personal history living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1940. He then describes life in Las Vegas and the growth in both population and infrastructure. Later, Scott discusses the Las Vegas economy, the Helldorado Parade, and describes the above ground nuclear bomb testings.
Archival Collection