Oral history interview with Russell K. Grater conducted by Frederick Dougan on February 10, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grater first talks about his move to the Southern Nevada area and his work that impacted the Hoover (Boulder) Dam project. He then talks about the town of St. Thomas, Nevada, the Lost City, and the activities of tourists. Grater also talks about his work in excavation, the indigenous American Indian tribes of the area, findings on petroglyphs, and the types of wildlife that were found in the area. He later talks about findings related to fossils, gold mining, the effects of World War II on the Hoover Dam project, and vegetation in the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Laughlin conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on October 10, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Laughlin talks about owning multiple properties in the town of Laughlin, Nevada and the growth of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marlin Robison conducted by Joni Larsen on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Robison discusses his parents moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1900s. Robison later discusses his career at Clark County Juvenile Court Services. Lastly, Robison discusses changes throughout the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Segerblom conducted by Sheila K. Lefforge on March 24, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Segerblom discusses her personal history living in Boulder City, Nevada after moving there in 1940. Segerblom discusses teaching in Boulder City, the school system, what life was like in Boulder City, and the story behind alcohol legalization in Boulder City, after it was prohibited. Segerblom also discusses Boulder City's growth, how some locals would prefer the town to remain small, the political system in Boulder City, and the relationship between Boulder City and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pauleen Foutz conducted by Don Scott Kaye on February 25, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Pauleen Foutz talks about family life in Las Vegas, Nevada, the history of Southern Nevada, and social and religious life in Las Vegas. She also discusses her career as a school teacher, businesswoman, and genealogist. Foutz also discusses her involvement with the establishment of the Mormon Church in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Star conducted by Tony Morneau on September 15, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Star discusses moving from Brooklyn, New York to Henderson, Nevada in 1955. In 1959, Star moved from Henderson to Las Vegas, Nevada to run a family-owned pawn shop. Star goes into detail about atomic bomb testing, the growth of Las Vegas, and gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cork Proctor conducted by Claytee D. White on February 3, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Proctor discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s and 1950s. He tells several anecdotes of his life, such as the time he stole a car in the Huntridge Theater parking lot or his time working as a gravedigger, and describes popular establishments and entertainment venues in Las Vegas. Proctor then talks about his career in show business as a comedian and radio host, race relations in Las Vegas, and meeting his wife. He also discusses how Las Vegas has developed socially and expanded, how he expects it to evolve in the future, and other experiences from entertainment gigs.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Salton conducted by George Green on April 23, 1976 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Salton discusses the early history of Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, prohibition, politics, the El Rancho Hotel, and events he experienced while living in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Agnes Marshall conducted by Claytee D. White on September 12, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Marshall discusses her family being one of the first families to move into Berkley Square, the first middle-class black housing development designed by Paul Williams. She also recounts her experiences with the nightlife in Las Vegas, Nevada during the heydays of Jackson Street, including clubs such as Cotton Club and Town Tavern, and restaurants like Mom's Kitchen.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Dennis McBride conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on various dates in March, April, and May 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. McBride goes into detail in this 4-session interview and covers a wide variety of topics, including: the history of Boulder City, working at various cultural institutions in Las Vegas, the evolution of the LGBTQ+ community in Las Vegas, researching his own history and publishing a book, and local advocacy groups. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection