Oral history interview with Gary Porter conducted by Stefani Evans on April 26, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Porter discusses his early life in Oklahoma. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1970 as a new accountant, and his employment at the Hughes Corporation. He talks about the growth of Las Vegas, the charter market in Las Vegas during the late 1970s, and joining Hughes Aviation in 1977. Lastly, Porter describes the evolution of the aviation industry, and explains the work Hughes Aviation does to service airplanes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard "Dick" Richards conducted by his son, Rick Richards, on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Richards describes his own personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Most notably, Richards describes his time working as a dealer in casinos owned by the mob and his interactions with individuals involved with organized crime.
Archival Collection
Gay Pride 1999 at Sunset Park; Photographer: Dennis McBride; Flex Lounge float.
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Oral history interview with Mark Fine conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 28, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Fine discusses his upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio and initial interest in real estate. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1997, his role in the development of Green Valley and Summerlin communities, and his idea that the link between volume of home sales and economics would increase the pace of development. He describes methods of building a sense of quality of life into his planned communities, building libraries, and the importance of accessibility. Lastly, Fine discusses his next projects, and reflects on the growth of Green Valley and Summerlin.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frances Farnsworth conducted by an unknown collector on May 27, 1982 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Farnsworth discusses her role as a founding member of the Mesquite Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Farnsworth also discusses how members would go out to the community and recruit women to join the club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Voris Perkins conducted by Elizabeth Patrick on November 12, 1983 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perkins discusses the business and methods of mining salt. Perkins later discusses his career as a farmer as well as the climate and environment in Nevada. Lastly, Perkins discusses working for the Clark County Road Department.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jeffery Silver conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on November 14 and 25, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Silver recalls his childhood in Beverly Hills, California before his family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada when Silver was in the fourth grade. His father worked with Tony Cornero at The Stardust Hotel and the family lived in a Francisco Park duplex. Silver attended various local schools, eventually graduating from Las Vegas High School in the same class with Bruce Woodbury and Gardner Jolley. Silver graduated from Northwestern University with an accounting degree, and attended the University of San Diego School of Law. Upon returning to Las Vegas, he joined the accounting firm Laventhol and Horwath (L&H), and at age 22 became Nevada's youngest person to pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Governor Mike O'Callaghan appointed Silver to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, a position that utilized his legal and accounting expertise. In two interview sessions, Silver describes his legal career with the firm Lionel Sawyer Collins, Nevada's North/South power struggle, his relationship with Oscar Goodman, The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement (The Mob Museum), his work at The Landmark (1979-1983) during the Wolfram/Tickel era of ownership, his work at the Riviera (ca. 1983-1984) under owner Meshulam Riklis, his short stint at Caesars World (1984), and his various law partnerships over his 50 years of practice. Digital audio and photographs available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William McLeod conducted by Valerie McLeod on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McLeod begins by speaking about his career as a contractor, the growth of Las Vegas in the 1960s and the city’s population. Moreover, he speaks about recreational activities such as riding motorcycles and exploring mines around Nevada. McLeod also spends time going over Indian reservations around Nevada and neighboring states, the Lost City in Nevada, boomtowns and ghost towns. Lastly, McLeod talks about the history of water and springs in the state of Nevada, what he would consider to be the Old Ranch and the stagecoaches that passed through Gold Point, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Archival Component
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