Oral history interview with Robin Trout conducted by Phyllis McKinnon on October 17, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Trout discusses being a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trout discusses the education required to be a nurse compared to the kind of education and experience she feels a nurse actually needs. She talks about issues of malpractice in the medical field and malpractice insurance, her current work duties, and other aspects of working in the medical field.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Georgia Adras (b. 1916) conducted by Robin L. Hayes on March 02, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Adras relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada from Farmington, Utah in 1936. This interview covers education, religion, ad raising a family in Nevada. During the interview Adras also discusses the building of the Boulder Dam, road conditions, grocery shopping in the early days, and the Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with William Laub Sr. conducted by Claytee D. White on October 20 and 28, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Laub opens the interview discussing his service in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater in World War II. He also talks about his education in Van Nuys, California, his time in law school, and gaining Basic Magnesium Inc. as a client for his California law firm. He discusses coordinating the construction of the gas pipeline from Henderson, Nevada into Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls being injured in a gas explosion, that forced him to rehabilitate in Las Vegas, and inevitably move his family to the area in 1956. He describes the construction changes that occurred on the Las Vegas Strip from the 1950s onward. Laub also explains why the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino was a political epicenter, and recounts meeting Nevada Lieutenant Governor Clifford Jones and other political candidates.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fran Wallace conducted by Connie Hansen on September 26, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wallace discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada with her family in 1940 for work opportunities available in Las Vegas. Wallace then recalls the development of Fremont Street and its transition to gambling. Later, Wallace describes environmental changes she has noticed throughout Las Vegas, specifically changes at Lake Mead.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Matson conducted by Ken Rose on February 23, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Matson discusses his early life in Pensacola, Florida and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work in resort and housing construction in 1952. Matson also discusses his family, his part-time work as a personal security guard, and the growth of Las Vegas. Lastly, he discusses African American racial discrimination and economic opportunities in Las Vegas in the 1950s to the 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Esther Wolverton conducted by David Haymack on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wolverton discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1927 and recalls her first impressions of the city. She also describes experiencing the first Helldorado Parade, social life in Las Vegas, and her employment as a waitress. Later, Wolverton discusses the construction and development of McCarran Airport. Lastly, she talks about population growth in Las Vegas and the significance gaming has to the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen H. Holmes conducted by Marilyn Swanson on February 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Holmes discusses the social, economic, and environmental changes that occurred in Boulder City, Nevada from 1931 to 1975. Holmes also discusses his home and family life in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Beverly Mathis conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mathis discusses her early life in Trenton, Tennessee. She talks about experiencing discrimination, the importance of voting, and attending the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mathis describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 and being an African American elementary teacher at the time. Lastly, Mathis discusses her thoughts on education in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patrick Gaffey conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on August 19, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gaffey discusses the McCarran airport redesign, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District building program, First Interstate Bank tower, and Clark County Government Center. He also discusses the redesign of the Maryland Parkway corridor and public art. Gaffey then talks about the City of Las Vegas Public Art Committee, Las Vegas City Hall art installation, and City of Las Vegas Maintenance and Operations.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Sparrow conducted by Lonnie McDonald on March 09, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sparrow discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sparrow discusses life in early Las Vegas, how Las Vegas has changed, and the development of the Strip. Sparrow also discusses race relations in Las Vegas and the establishment of the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection