Oral history interview with Virginia Valentine conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 25, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Valentine discusses her early life in Florida. She recalls her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981, working in a wastewater treatment plant, and becoming Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Clark County Regional Flood Control District. Valentine then talks about attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), obtaining a master's degree in public administration, and her involvement with flash flood management in southern Nevada. Lastly, Valentine describes becoming a registered professional engineer (PE) and her work with the Nevada Resort Association (NRA).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oliver Crickman conducted by William Hawley on March 03, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Crickman discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and his gradual move from the position of cook’s helper to executive chef at the Royal Inn. Crickman goes into detail about the operation of Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas restaurants, the demographics of cooks, and how the hospitality and housing industries have changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Brinker conducted by Doug Coombs on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brinker discusses his experiences living in Southern Nevada and his career in carpentry. Brinker also discusses his background in watch repair, his move to Las Vegas, Nevada from West Virginia, his experiences in homesteading, grocery shopping in early Las Vegas, the building of his house for his family, and his various jobs and projects as a carpenter.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Kine conducted by Eileen Reedy on February 14, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kine discusses Boulder City, Nevada and the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dorothy Kelsey conducted by James M. Greene on January 20, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the early days of Nelson, Searchlight, and Las Vegas, Nevada, as Kelsey offers an in-depth personal narrative on the life of a local. The interview concludes with a discussion on hotels and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tom Wright conducted by Claytee White on February 14, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas History Project. Wright opens his interview by discussing his family history and his education. He then describes what the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) was like in the 1960s and his father's experiences working at the newly established university. Wright then recalls his own experiences at UNLV in the history department as a "Latin Americanist" professor and dean. He also discusses Latin American history and his dissertation about Chilean politics.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dominic Clark conducted by Larry Hutchinson on October 09, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Clark briefly discusses his church activity, his political activity, and some geographic and social changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sonny Reizner conducted by Jack Painter on an unknown date between 1970 and 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reizner discusses his time working at the sports book for Castaways Hotel and Casino Bowling in Las Vegas, Nevada. Reizner goes into detail about writing and managing the sports books. Later, Reizner talks about sports betting, the process, and its growth. Finally, Reizner describes the culture of sports betting and the logistics of how to succeed in the field.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hank Greenspun conducted by Tony Bleeker in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Hank Greenspun discusses politics in Las Vegas, Nevada, the numerous changes and growth that the city has experiences, and his newspaper, the Las Vegas Sun.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Acres conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 11, 2017, and September 28, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Acres discusses his progressive jackpot system for the Lady Luck Casino, which was also installed in the Aladdin, the Frontier, and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. Acres relates history of his work in engineering and manufacturing gaming technology and recalls how and why he sold his first company, Electronic Display Technology (EDT). Acres then discusses Acres 4.0, which develops artificial intelligence that creates customer experiences while reducing operational costs, and explains the Gen7 concept of planning solutions that will last for seven generations.
Archival Collection