Oral history interview with Junell Bowman conducted by Anna Huddleston on March 09, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bowman begins by describing her early history as a singer in California, performing on the radio, different orchestras, and nightclubs before marrying her husband and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. Bowman discusses becoming a sketch artist after managing an unsuccessful business, doing portraits and caricatures of people in the casinos, at conventions, and on the Las Vegas Strip. She talks about the celebrities and entertainers she met and did caricatures for while working at casinos like the Stardust and Riviera, and the amount of work that went into being a professional sketch artist.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Danel Boone conducted by Daniel Pope on February 22, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview Boone discusses why he came to Las Vegas, Nevada, the Helldorado parade, church activity, and the weather. Boone also discusses city parks, Boy Scouts, schools, above ground atomic tests, local history of Southern Nevada, and the ways in which Las Vegas has changed over the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steven Kalb conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 05, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kalb discusses his early life in North Hollywood, California. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953, growing up in the Twin Lakes area, and recreational activities he participated in. Kalb talks about attending Arizona State University (ASU), studying construction engineering, and the formation of his father's company, George F. Kalb Construction. Kalb describes the first construction projects the company completed, forming Kalb Construction Company, and working on standalone projects. Lastly, Kalb discusses the future of the construction industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mark Brandenburg conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 22, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Brandenburg discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his stepfather’s involvement with the opening of the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, becoming a co-owner of the property in 1990, and joining other downtown properties to form the Fremont Street Experience. Brandenburg describes the challenges in competing with mega-resorts on the Strip, modernizing the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, and weaving the history of the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino with that of the more recent Fremont Street Experience. Lastly, Brandenburg discusses the monetization of the street, and the future of the Fremont Street Experience.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Weaver conducted by Rod S. Nolan on October 25, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Weaver discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s in search of job opportunities. Weaver then discusses the increase of gambling on the Las Vegas Strip. Weaver goes on to describe the development of Henderson, Nevada and recalls the significance of the Basic Magnesium Plant to the growth of Henderson.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John F. Lewis conducted by Steven John Galler on March 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lewis describes founding Clark Dairy with his brother in Moapa Valley, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Martha Gould and Joan Kerschner conducted by Claytee D. White on October 26, 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gould and Kerschner discuss being librarians and directors working at the Nevada State Library. Gould then discusses being a lobbyist for libraries while Kerschner talks about also being a director of the Henderson Public Library.
Archival Collection
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