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.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bob Gronauer conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 27, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Gronauer discusses his early life in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and describes living in subsidized housing. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1989, his employment with Las Vegas Paving, and his involvement with building the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Gronauer then recalls doing the master plans for the Iron Mountain Ranch community in the late 1990s, his contributions to the development of public parks, and developing master plans for North Las Vegas communities. Lastly, Gronauer discusses location planning for new projects and obtaining support from home owners and elected officials.
Archival Collection
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.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Catherine Perroitti conducted by Steven Labonte on February 27, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perroitti describes her personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada and how the city has changed over time. Perroitti describes her perception of the increase in crime and drugs present in the city over time. Perroitti discusses her work on the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board in Las Vegas and the importance of older generations, as well as her career as a registered nurse. Perroitti also discusses veterans legislation and the needs of veterans after they returned home from deployment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Wittwer conducted by Perry Kaufman on May 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kaufman discusses living in Santa Clara, Utah and describes families from Switzerland migrating there as converts to the Latter-Day Saints Church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles J. Sorrells conducted by Karen Schank on November 30, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sorrells primarily discusses his family's history in Nevada beginning in the early 1900s when his grandfather moved there from Georgia. Sorrells describes life in the rural desert town of Shoshone, Nevada and a town called Greenwater, his grandfather's main residency, located somewhere in Death Valley. Through his family history, Sorrells provides an overview of Nevada's history as it progressed from an Old West lifestyle to modern American living by the mid-twentieth century. Sorrells also talks about life in Las Vegas, Nevada, his children, and his career as a certified public accountant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Max Goot conducted by Charles Collins on March 22, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Goot recalls the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada after 1945. He also talks about winning the Man of the Year Award from his temple.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Marsh conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 27, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Marsh discusses his early life in Colorado and Nebraska. He remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1971, buying his first car dealership, and sales advertising at the time. Marsh talks about the significance of the car dealership location, and the issues with commercial businesses near residential homes. Marsh describes his car dealership commercials, and why he thinks they have become popular in Southern Nevada. Lastly, Marsh discusses his early interest in buying historical buildings, preserving those buildings, and obtaining his gaming license.
Archival Collection
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.
Archival Collection
Archival Component