Oral history interview with Christine Szukala conducted by Bridgette Foote on November 12, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Christine shares her family history and the story of her Thai mother and American Air Force father who met in Thailand and married before moving to the United States in 1970. She talks about her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada near Nellis Air Force base with her six siblings. Christine discusses her beliefs of how her newly immigrated mother adapted to American life, including altering her recipes to fit her husband's taste and reducing her visits to nearby Buddhist temples.
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Oral history interview with Vaughan O. Holt conducted by Lee LaVecchia on February 22, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Holt offers an overview on marriage and family life in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses local transportation, education, and occupations. He also talks about pollution, tourism, railroads, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kathleen Fuson conducted by Lance Goss on March 04, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fuson discusses her life in Las Vegas, Nevada including her employment history, her knowledge about the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, the desert’s flora and fauna, and the education system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Peter Bernhard conducted by Claytee D. White on August 05, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bernhard discusses his personal history growing up in the Hyde Park neighborhood in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes recreational activities in downtown Las Vegas, attending Western High School and raising money to construct their football stadium in th 1960s. Bernhard then talks about the gaming industry in Las Vegas and explains how one is put in the “Black Book” of persons banned from casinos. Lastly, he recalls his experiences in casino business in the 1980s, and his role as a board member for the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth J. Kiley conducted by Claytee D. White on January 24, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kiley discusses her personal history and living in the Eastwood neighborhood in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes local restaurants that were popular during the mid 1960s, the development of downtown Las Vegas, and race relations in the 1960s. Lastly, Kiley recalls attending and graduating from Rancho High School in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Kopczak conducted by Claytee D. White on September 04, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kopczak begins the interview by discussing his family history and personal history in the United States Air Force before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife in the 1980s. He then describes his career working for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a storekeeper for Lied Library, explaining his job duties and how the university has changed since he began working there. Lastly, Kopczak also talks about various library employees and administrators he has worked with, and life in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles W. Hunsberger conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 27, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Hunsberger offers a history of his tenure as director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. He discusses the politics of libraries, networking, building libraries, and the importance of recruiting top staff and promoting them.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dewitt Tracht conducted by Jay Brewer on April 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tracht discusses business in Southern Nevada and how the business market expanded and developed in his lifetime. Tracht lastly talks about the early techniques of advertisement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gary Pratt conducted by Ron Reda on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pratt discusses the growth of early Southern Nevada. He talks about population growth, economic changes, and crime in early Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Al Pehlke conducted by Pete Domphase on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pehlke gives a recollection of his life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pehlke also gives a detailed description of the above ground atomic bomb testing.
Archival Collection