Oral history interview with Richard A. Leigon conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 12, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Leigon discusses John S. Park Elementary School, John C. Fremont Junior High School, and Boy Scout Troop 69 at Griffith Methodist Church. Leigon also discusses his father’s, Ralph A. Leigon, contributions to Las Vegas, Nevada, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and his own lengthy career with IBEW that bridged labor management.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Plaster conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 21, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Plaster discusses his early life in Santa Monica, California, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. He recalls his early interests in real estate, forming his company Signature Homes, and the first home building projects he was involved in. Lastly, Plaster describes land acquisition during the late 1970s, building mass housing, and his role as President of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (SNHBA).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marie Schamaun conducted by Elie Elias on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schamaun discusses her personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Schamaun discusses being a member of the first Methodist church in Las Vegas and her involvement with an auxiliary of the Optimist Club which helped young girls. Schamaun describes how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed since she first moved to the city in 1947, and how the city has changed socially. Schamaun also discusses nuclear weapons tests, youth centers in Las Vegas, and the important role the youth centers have in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Myrtle Cheel conducted by an unknown interviewer on February 02, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, Mrs. Cheel discusses education in the Las Vegas, Nevada Valley. She also discusses social, economic and environmental changes, particularly the rapid transformation and growth of Las Vegas from a small town to a major metropolis.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eldon G. Cooper conducted by Kamal Wilhelm on March 03, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cooper first talks about his background and his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada before describing the recreational activities in which he and his family participated. He later describes the atomic testing, environmental changes, modes of transportation, social changes, and tourism in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Walter Dane conducted by Ann K. Clark on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dane discusses relocating to Indian Springs in 1930 before settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943, then moving to Utah in 1968. Dane also covers the growth and development of the Las Vegas and Indian Springs areas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mark Brandenburg conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 22, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Brandenburg discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his stepfather’s involvement with the opening of the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, becoming a co-owner of the property in 1990, and joining other downtown properties to form the Fremont Street Experience. Brandenburg describes the challenges in competing with mega-resorts on the Strip, modernizing the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, and weaving the history of the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino with that of the more recent Fremont Street Experience. Lastly, Brandenburg discusses the monetization of the street, and the future of the Fremont Street Experience.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steven Kalb conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 05, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kalb discusses his early life in North Hollywood, California. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953, growing up in the Twin Lakes area, and recreational activities he participated in. Kalb talks about attending Arizona State University (ASU), studying construction engineering, and the formation of his father's company, George F. Kalb Construction. Kalb describes the first construction projects the company completed, forming Kalb Construction Company, and working on standalone projects. Lastly, Kalb discusses the future of the construction industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Virginia James conducted by Claytee D. White on various dates in October and November 2004, and March and July 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, James describes her experiences as a dancer with the Texas Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel and Casino, and with the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rory Reid conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on July 13, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Reid recalls growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada as a Mormon, and his legal and political careers in the Nevada Democratic Party.
Archival Collection