Oral history interview with Dolly Kelepecz conducted by Claytee D. White on April 29, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kelepecz discusses her career as a ballet dancer, a performer in a circus, and a showgirl and dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada, especially in the Lido at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. She also discusses her time as a model, a pilates instructor, and running the Opus Dance ensemble. Kelepecz then discusses teaching a class at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Shaddy conducted by Jennifer Riewe on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shaddy discusses gambling and the expansion of education in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shaddy also discusses Mormonism, its prevalence, and its impact on the state. Lastly, Shaddy discusses organized crime and prostitution.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Bonaventure conducted by Claytee D. White on September 09, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bonaventure discusses the Culinary Union Local 226, the value of workers academy, failure of African-American integration on the Las Vegas Strip, and general life in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elizabeth Garrison conducted by Walter John Ritzau on February 25, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Garrison first talks about her schooling in Las Vegas, Nevada, the atomic testing, the Devils Hole in Ash Meadows, early church involvement, and some of the environmental aspects of Las Vegas. Garrison later describes her work for the Central Telephone Company and the Helldorado Parade.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hubert Sampley conducted by Karen Franke on February 24, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sampley discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950. Sampley details his career at an oil refinery, farm, as well as his career in the U.S. Air Force. Sampley also describes the gaming industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth Johann conducted by Gloria Banks on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johann discusses the origin of his business and early land prices in Southern Nevada. Johann also explains the history of his investments and how land development progressed in Las Vegas, Nevada from the 1950s onward.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donna Newsom conducted by Claytee D. White on June 11, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Donna Newsom discusses working as a nurse in the southern United States, at a Girl Scout camp in Colorado, and at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses working in real estate in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nancy Norris conducted by Elizabeth Schwartz on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Norris discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada where her husband was working for the railroad company. Norris also discusses nursing and what Las Vegas was like during wartime. Lastly, Norris discusses the growth and development of casinos in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Herbst conducted by Stefani Evans on August 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Herbst discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois, and his father’s chain of service stations, Terrible Herbst. He remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, taking ownership of his father’s company, and expanding the business to California and Arizona. Herbst recalls a shortage of fuel during the early 1970s, how service station owners dealt with the shortage, and converting service stations to be self-serve. Lastly, Herbst discusses the ideal location for service stations, and adjusting fuel prices.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Abe Schiller conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schiller discusses the history of the Las Vegas Strip. He also discusses his career as the head of publicity for the Flamingo Las Vegas. Lastly, Schiller discusses working with various stars and entertainers in order to draw business to the hotel.
Archival Collection