Oral history interview with Vincent Kethen conducted by Claytee White on December 23, 2009 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Kethen was born in 1964 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the year that desegregation of schools started there. He discusses his experiences as an African-American child being bused to a white school, John S. Park Elementary. He also discusses growing up in that era and giving back to the community by being a youth basketball coach.
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.
Oral history interview with Clifford Jones conducted by an unknown collector in the year 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jones discusses his life in Southern Nevada, his educational background, and his involvement in Nevada politics. Jones also talks about the social and environmental changes that occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1930s.
Oral history interview with Lonnie Wright conducted by Claytee White on October 23, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Wright describes the casino mentality of racism and sexism that he encountered. Wright also discusses dealing with the odds and his business endeavors. Wright then describes the value of being a team player and using athletics as a marketing strategy.
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.
Oral history interview with Richard J. Ronzone conducted by Edna Goodman on March 08, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ronzone discusses education in Tonopah, Nevada, and his early life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ronzone also discusses his business, “Ronzone’s Department Store,” and the growth of local businesses in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ronzone then gives his opinions of the changes that occured in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interviews with Will Vicuna conducted by Stefani Evans on June 23 and July 3, 2023 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In the first interview, Vicuna goes into detail about his family's history, and his parents' life in Quezon, Philippines. When his brother sent Will a postcard of the newly opened Hilton Hotel and Casino, Will decided he would move to Las Vegas as soon as he completed his psychology degree in 1970. He concludes the first interview discussing his employment at the Hilton and the Flamingo Hilton, his 1972 marriage, and his 1973 UNLV graduation in Hotel Administration. In the second interview, Vicuna talks about his wife, Felicidad, who graduated from University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila in Medical Technology. He shares details about her career, and then talks about his own career in hospitality, working in a number of Las Vegas hotels including the Hilton and Flamingo Hilton, Palace Station, Peppermill Mesquite, and the Golden Eagle in Pahrump. Throughout the interviews, Vicuna discusses family reunions in Las Vegas, shopping for Filipino food, and eating at various restaurants around town. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Oral history interview with Harold Stocker conducted by Ralph Roske and Elizabeth Warren on November 30, 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stocker discusses his upbringing, family life, and his experiences working the Northern Club owned by his mother, Mayme Stocker. Lastly, Stocker talks about the history of gambling and prohibition.
Oral history interview with Lawrence Hawley conducted by Andy Sturgeon on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss how Hawley first came to Nevada, as well as his personal family history. Hawley describes Hoover Dam as it was being built, the effects of the Depression on Nevada, and how Las Vegas has grown in size. Hawley also discusses liquor laws and how practicing law has changed since he first moved to Nevada.
Oral history interview with Myrtle Hancock conducted by Russell Oakes on February 26, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hancock discusses her occupational experience as a wardrobe dresser in the entertainment industry in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses family life, life on a ranch, Downtown Las Vegas, Helldorado, and Nevada’s hot weather.