Oral history interview with Nel Downing conducted by Scottie Rector in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Downing first talks about the first properties in the Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada area before talking about the forms of transportation available in Las Vegas. She also talks about her work with the Clark County Housing Authority, the development of Henderson, some of the early churches, and the beginnings of gambling in Henderson. She then discusses gambling, life in Nevada, the Helldorado parade, and inflation over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betsy Rhodes conducted by Melinda McGeorge Thompson on February 24, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Betsy Rhodes shares a brief personal history before discussing her move to Las Vegas with her husband Leonard in 1958. She talks about her husband's dental profession, her children, and life in the early 1960s in Las Vegas. Rhodes shares details of her volunteering work with the Junior League and Assistance League of Las Vegas, detailing the groups' evolving missions, member counts, and trials faced to raise funds.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida Perkins conducted by Alexa Sweeny on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Perkins discusses her personal history growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Perkins talks about recreational activities she participated in, being involved in church, and living in the Windsor Park housing area in North Las Vegas. She then recalls her educational experience in Las Vegas, being involved in school sports, and West Las Vegas housing. Later, Perkins describes businesses on the Westside, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and playing on the women’s basketball team, the Lady Rebels. Lastly, Perkins discusses her contributions in forming the Foxy Ladies Organization, and also changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Clyde Perkins conducted by William G. White on October 03, 1989 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perkins discusses his father’s half-interests in property containing portions of West Point and the Pickett Ranch in Moapa Valley, Nevada. He also describes the history of Moapa Valley and his experiences growing up in the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sonny Reizner conducted by Jack Painter on an unknown date between 1970 and 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Reizner discusses his time working at the sports book for Castaways Hotel and Casino Bowling in Las Vegas, Nevada. Reizner goes into detail about writing and managing the sports books. Later, Reizner talks about sports betting, the process, and its growth. Finally, Reizner describes the culture of sports betting and the logistics of how to succeed in the field.
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 William Sullivan conducted by Claytee D. White on June 27, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview William Sullivan discusses being recruited to University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as director of student support services. He also discusses changes in Las Vegas, Nevada and the UNLV campus.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jennie Mead on March 04, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mead discusses her career as a waitress at the Hacienda Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she had worked for twenty-one years at the time of the interview. Mead also describes how the Hacienda Hotel and Casino had changed over the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Acres conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 11, 2017, and September 28, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Acres discusses his progressive jackpot system for the Lady Luck Casino, which was also installed in the Aladdin, the Frontier, and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. Acres relates history of his work in engineering and manufacturing gaming technology and recalls how and why he sold his first company, Electronic Display Technology (EDT). Acres then discusses Acres 4.0, which develops artificial intelligence that creates customer experiences while reducing operational costs, and explains the Gen7 concept of planning solutions that will last for seven generations.
Archival Collection