Oral history interview with Dean Ishman conducted by Claytee D. White on July 02, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Dean Ishman discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995, becoming the President of the Las Vegas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 2003, and reorganizing the NAACP when he was president. He also discusses the numerous fundraisers he attended, Freedom Fund banquets, the Suave Lopez shooting, and efforts to recruit Hispanic people to the NAACP during his presidency.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Warner conducted by James E. Guessman on October 27, 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Warner discusses arriving to Southern Nevada in 1925 and recalls personal experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. Warner then discusses city growth and changes, including the development of Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Warner shares his opinions on the future of Las Vegas' economics and local government.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elmer H. Nighswonger conducted by Larry Davis on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nighswonger discusses the history of the Las Vegas Fire Department and describes his experiences as a firefighter. Nighswonger then discusses the El Rancho Casino fire, and the effect that it had on Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lambert VanDerMeer conducted by Eric H. Newton on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, VanDerMeer discusses his birth in Holland, living in Chicago, Illinois and Southern California, and finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1926. VanDerMeer also talks about his marriage in Las Vegas and running a dairy and ice house. Other subjects VanDerMeer discuss include the the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the growth of Las Vegas over time, and the history of Las Vegas from 1926 to 1955.
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 Carey Burke conducted by Terri Goodsell on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Burke talks about his schooling at St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Rancho High School. Burke also talks about the recreational activities he took part in during schooling, such as going to Lake Mead and joining a YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) camp. Burke then describes the Helldorado customs and his hobby of collecting gaming memorabilia.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Greg Thompson conducted by Jim Colleran on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses growing up around the Crestwood neighborhood and recalls his education in Las Vegas, Nevada. He then describes the Huntridge Theater, local businesses, and the increase of casinos. Lastly, Thompson discusses fishing at Lake Mead and population growth.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dolly Kelepecz conducted by Claytee D. White on April 29, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kelepecz discusses her career as a ballet dancer, a performer in a circus, and a showgirl and dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada, especially in the Lido at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. She also discusses her time as a model, a pilates instructor, and running the Opus Dance ensemble. Kelepecz then discusses teaching a class at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barry Holt conducted by Lee LaVecchia on February 11, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Holt talks about the history of Southern Nevada. He specifically talks about the major changes in Southern Nevada since the 1930s, the Great Depression, and the changes in mode of transportation in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Holt speaks about the differences between growing up in Las Vegas in the fifties and sixties compared to how his children are growing up at the time of the interview. He also discusses education and the religious community in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard E. Strahlem conducted by Jacqueline R. Hall on March 12, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Strahlem discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958 in search of job opportunities. Strahlem then describes the local businesses that he worked with and recalls the competitive nature of gambling. Strahlem later discusses the construction of McCarren International Airport and the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Archival Collection