Oral history interview with Robert Foster conducted by Kelley Tuchman on March 02, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Foster first talks about his background in the military and his eventual teaching experience in special education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Foster then discusses helping the development of the special education field in Clark County and throughout the country, including the legislation and training toward the education program itself. Foster ends the interview by recalling his personal experiences and importance of helping the mentally and physically disabled.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wendell Bunker on October of 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wendell Bunker (b. 1911 in St. Thomas, Nevada), discusses early Las Vegas, Nevada and the socio-economic changes that have taken place in the Valley. Bunker talks about the Boulder (Hoover) Dam and religion and education in Nevada. He also describes working for the Union Pacific Railroad and the importance of the railroad to the economic development of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Andrew Brewer conducted by Claytee D. White on July 1, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Brewer's interview starts with him discussing tenure as National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President beginning in January 2008. He also gives details about the fund raisers that allowed the NAACP to benefit students with grants, support voter outreach and a prison ministry, and provide guidance for those suffering discrimination.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Kilroy conducted by Claytee White on October 18, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kilroy begins by discussing being born in a mining camp and his grandmother being an important figure in his life. Throughout the interview, Kilroy discusses working at various places on the Las Vegas Strip, including the Dunes Hotel and MGM Grand and meeting many famous people. He discusses the military being an important part of his life, as well as his time playing professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Courtney Mooney conducted by Suzanne Becker on July 30, 2007 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Mooney describes her work as the urban design coordinator for Las Vegas, Nevada. Mooney also discusses the past, present, and future of the John S. Park neighborhood.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jackie Brantley conducted by Claytee White on October 27, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Brantley begins her interview by briefly discussing her family history and parents' jobs in Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1940s. Brantley then goes on to discuss segregation in Las Vegas. She discusses segregation on the Strip, and in pools, schools, and nightclubs. Afterwards, Brantley discusses her career experiences working for the Clark County School District and her management position at the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino in the early 1970s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christina Gruber conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 2, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Gruber shares her experience living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1997 and as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), mother of two, and physical fitness enthusiast. She recalls being shot during the Route 91 Harvest Festival and being rescued by strangers. She recalls the chaos of the evening, but also how strangers worked together to comfort each other amidst the terror. She discusses dedicated her athletic races to those who were murdered that evening, and how it has helped her recovery. Digital audio and transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sandy Daly conducted by Bud Stephen on June 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project. Daly moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947 and she describes her educational experiences and how the gaming industry related to her upbringing. Stephen also asks questions relating to politics, religion, social club membership, theater, recreational activities for children and adults, atomic testing, tourism, local sports, television, prostitution, social class, and the development of the Strip. Interview includes audio recording (analog, digital) and transcript (digital).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Earl Preston conducted by Melanie Viola on February 13, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Preston discusses his life experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about working for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, ownership of Frontier Cable Company, and his musical activities, including his experience as a member of the Helldorado Hillbilly Band. He also talks about his religious background.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hildred Meidell conducted by Greg Abbott on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Meidell covers a range of topics about living in Las Vegas, Nevada, from her and her husband’s time as tourists in the city and their subsequent retirement to Las Vegas from Los Angeles, California. Meidell describes the Las Vegas Strip, the interstate and highway conditions between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, as well as their numerous visits to Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Moreover, she speaks about the changing layout of the city, the increase in shopping centers and department stores, and the clothing stores inside of hotels. Lastly, Meidell talks about the prominence of churches in local communities, the atomic testing program and the structural damages these tests caused in her neighborhood, and the influence of the railroad and passenger train on the town.
Archival Collection