Oral history interview with Howard Wasden conducted by Gillian Collins on an unknown date in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wasden discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1925 and working for the railroad. Wasden explains how the railroad was a predominant economic asset for Las Vegas at the time. He then describes living on the Westside "Old Town", education in Las Vegas, attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and eventually becoming a teacher. Lastly, Wasden discusses the population growth, development of the Las Vegas Strip, and his role as principal of West Charleston School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ivan Jackson conducted by Sandy Steel on February 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Jackson’s life in Southern Nevada. Jackson talks about his work on the Union Pacific Railroad as well as working with the Hampton Construction Company. Jackson also discusses environmental changes due to a growing population in Southern Nevada and its impact on hunting. The interview concludes with a discussion on the development of North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brian Cram conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 28, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Cram discusses his early life as a native Nevadan from Caliente, Nevada. He recalls growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada attending Fifth Street Elementary School and Las Vegas High School. Cram also talks about his career as Clark County School District (CCSD) Superintendent from 1989 to 2000.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Brymer conducted by Rob Mullaney on March 09, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brymer explains how he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada for the gaming attractions and eventually married and had two children. Brymer talks about working as a craps dealer at the Frontier Club in Downtown Las Vegas, the Last Frontier on the Las Vegas Strip, and later a pit boss at the Sahara. Brymer also discusses a visit by Lyndon B. Johnson, the early atomic testing, the importance of religion in his life, changes in climate, the development of the Strip, the existence and decline of agriculture, and some of the entertainers who performed on the Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eugene Buford conducted by Claytee White on September 12, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Eugene Buford talks about his great grandmother, Mary Nettles, who was instrumental in the start and growth of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples (NAACP) in Las Vegas, Nevada. He speaks about his experiences with prejudice and discrimination, while reflecting upon what it was like being an African American growing up in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Naugle conducted by Irene Rostine on October 31, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Naugle opens her interview by discussing moving to Las Vegas, Nevada after she visited the city on a family vacation. She then talks about attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in order to obtain her real estate license. Naugle describes opening her own real estate office, the types of properties she brokered, and her participation in the Las Vegas Board of Realtors. She ends her interview by discussing her international business work and vacations.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez and Barbara Tabach on June 16, 2021 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Laurents is a Las Vegas native, graduate of Clark High School, and son of Mexican and Salvadoran immigrants. He is currently an English teacher at Rancho High School and was a former student worker on the Latinx Voices project.
Text
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 Edmund "Ed" Fleming conducted by Mark Lucas on February 08, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Fleming discusses mining practices in Southern Nevada and his teaching experiences in Pahrump, Nevada, Goodsprings, Nevada, and Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses religion, transportation, and culture in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don E. Hayden conducted by Steve Cohen on March 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview offers a historical overview of the education system in Nevada. Don also discusses gambling, the early atomic tests, the first hospitals built in Las Vegas, and offers his own personal account on home and family life in Nevada.
Archival Collection