Oral history interview with Jerry Lockhart conducted by O’Sheyon Rollins on April 17, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Lockhart discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965 after transferring to Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas). He talks of his impressions of the city at the time, his first accounting job at Southwest Gas Corporation, and his employment with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) in the 1970s. Lockhart then recalls being the first African American Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Nevada in 1977 and being appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission in 1983. Later, Lockhart discusses the process to qualify for employment as a CPA and owning a CPA firm in the 1980s. Lastly, he describes West Las Vegas businesses and shares his thoughts on the growth of the Westside.
Oral history interview with Barbara Mowry conducted by Jon Sedlacek on February 16, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mowry describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from California in 1949 to get a divorce, before remarrying and entering into the restaurant business with her new husband. Mowry discusses buying an established restaurant, the Villa Venice, with her husband, and the eventual fire that would destroy the restaurant in 1952. Mowry describes running the restaurant, the different kinds of recreation in Las Vegas during the 1950s, and how Las Vegas has changed since she moved there. Mowry also discusses the prejudice against African Americans in Las Vegas, and how her husband would have to let in African American performers such as Sammy Davis Jr. or Pearl Bailey through the back door of their restaurant.
Oral history interview with Irving J. Foreman conducted by John Russell Foreman on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Foreman speaks about his career in the construction industry in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses the changes in the construction industry from the 1950s to the 1970s, including the machinery used.
Oral history interview with Don Laughlin conducted by A. D. Hopkins on June 13, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview, Laughlin discusses his early life in Minnesota, his start in gambling, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952. Laughlin describes how he started his business including the process of obtaining licenses and buying property. Lastly, Laughlin talks about gaming competition in Arizona, his children, and his business' expansion.
Oral history interview with Morgan J. Sweeny conducted by James M. Greene on September 20, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Sweeny discusses Boulder City, Nevada and the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Oral history interview with Houghton Peterson conducted by Claytee D. White on May 20, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Peterson discusses playing the trombone in the United States Air Force jazz band, “Airmen of Note.” He also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 and playing the trombone in various shows.
Oral history interview with Bertha Gresh conducted by James M. Greene on November 01, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gresh discusses the early mining days, her personal history, and the history of Nelson County, Nevada. She also discusses her art, social activities, and the prizes she won as a visual artist in Nevada.
Oral history interview with Jerry Roth conducted by Claytee D. White on June 29, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Roth begins by describing his early life and education, then explains how he began his later career in commercial real estate. He details his work as a commercial realtor, preparing lots for shopping centers and grocery stores in California and later in Las Vegas, Nevada. Roth then discusses his work as a boxing judge, judging multiple title fights in Las Vegas and around the world. Roth describes some of the fights he has judged, such as Oscar De La Hoya versus Félix Trinidad and Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield.
Oral history interview with Domingo Cambeiro conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 18, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cambeiro discusses his upbringing in Havana, Cuba. He talks about his initial interests in architecture, starting his own architecture drawing service, and attending the University of Havana. Cambeiro recalls submitting a request to leave Cuba, emigrating to the United States, and arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962. Cambeiro talks about working with Las Vegas architect Julius Gabriel, obtaining his architecture license, and starting an architectural firm. Lastly, Cambeiro discusses being selected to create architectural drawings for the Thomas & Mack Center.
Oral history interview with Robert Kesterson conducted by James M. Greene on October 24, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kesterson offers an overview on life in Boulder City, Las Vegas, and Henderson, Nevada. He also discusses land development.