Oral history interview with Mattie M. Wormwood conducted by Judy Williams on March 09, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wormwood discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also shares the changes Las Vegas went through during times of segregation and discrimination.
Oral history interview with Mary E. Habbart conducted by Pamela Larkins on July 15, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss Habbart’s personal family history and her family’s reasons for moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Habbart also describes social and economic changes to Las Vegas and her local dairy farm.
Oral history interview with Denise Miller conducted by Deborah Whicker on March 02, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Miller discusses the dance community in Las Vegas, Nevada. Miller also talks about the significance that the arts had in Las Vegas and how it changed throughout the years.
Oral history interview with Elinor Horden conducted by Valerie Fujii on February 13, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Horden discusses local entertainment in the 1950s, as well as the social and environmental changes that have occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Irving Kirshbaum conducted by Cheryl Rogers on February 23, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Kirshbaum discusses the Riviera Hotel where he began working in 1955. He also talks about the landscape of the Las Vegas Strip in the 1950s, and the state of gambling, comps, customer service, and dealer training. Kirshabum discusses the treatment of minorities at the Riviera and in Las Vegas, Nevada generally.
Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by Lester Wisbrod on February 18, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan discusses his experiences in journalism, including his work as an editor for the Review Journal. He provides details on some of the major events covered by the newspaper and his work in establishing Nellis Air Force Base. Cahlan also describes some of the social changes over time, including the growth of air travel for tourism and gambling.
Oral history interview with Herb Jeffries conducted by Cork Proctor on 2009 May 5 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In the interview Jeffries discusses his life as a singer and actor, entertaining in Las Vegas, Nevada where Frank Sinatra offered support when Jeffries encountered racial discrimination. He also talks about his life after retirement, his family, being an America, his military service, and his relationship with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington as a young performer.