Oral history interview with Maria Banks conducted by Barbara Hoyt on September 23, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Banks discusses her experiences managing a jukebox company, owning and operating two restaurants, and working for a music company. She also discusses her Mormon religion and the relationship she had with her late husband. Banks also discusses the change in climate over time, specifically the increasing humidity.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George E. Franklin conducted by Diane Hunsley on March 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Franklin discusses his personal history in Nevada, atomic testing, Howard Hughes, and his law experience.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Hotchkiss conducted by Barbara Clark on June 27, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hotchkiss discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1946. Hotchkiss discusses the hotel industry, explaining that most casinos had a Western theme before the Flamingo was built, which started a luxury resort trend. Hotchkiss goes on to describe the development of Las Vegas Strip hotels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Muriel Parks conducted by Richard Lloyd Pipkins on May 18, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parks discusses the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and her career working for the university as Director of Admissions and Records. Parks discusses the expansion of the campus and the growing number of students and degrees available currently compared to what was available when UNLV was first established.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with M. Jeri Rarick conducted by Richard J. Travers on March 06, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rarick discusses moving to Boulder City, Nevada with her family in 1931. Rarick goes on to discuss settling in Las Vegas, Nevada as a young adult. Rarick discusses her experiences in Las Vegas including her various jobs, ranging from waitress to Union Pacific dispatcher.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Russell K. Grater conducted by James M. Greene on November 25, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grater discusses the National Park Service, the history of housing developments in Las Vegas, Nevada and Nelson, Nevada, the leaf system of local plants, and tourism.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Habbart conducted by Jane Finfrock on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Habbart first talks about her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1920 and her husband’s subsequent employment. She also talks about the first casinos, the development of the university campus, visits of U.S. presidents, and the Mormon Fort. She also discusses the Helldorado Parade, flash floods, snowing in Las Vegas, her role in developing Sunset Park, her family, and her education.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nafeesa Sallee conducted by John Grygo on March 21, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Sallee discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada, education in Clark County School District, and the challenges that West Las Vegas had with banking.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marko Dobro conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on August 8, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dobro discusses World War I, Tonopah, Nevada, and Goldfield, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Gemma conducted by Dan Murphy on March 1, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gemma discusses employment opportunities, construction work, housing developments, and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. Gemma also recalls social and environmental changes, local recreation, sports, and the importance of gambling in Nevada.
Archival Collection