Oral history interview with Pete Berger conducted by David Schwartz on June 14, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Pete Berger discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 after serving in the United States Air Force in California. He talks about his career working as a pit boss at over a dozen Las Vegas casinos , other positions he held, and the people he met throughout his career.
Oral history interview with Virginia T. Lanier conducted by Heidi G. Hughes on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lanier discusses living on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip from the 1950s through the 1960s. Lanier then describes riding the public bus, and working in food service.
Oral history interview with Saul Willis conducted by Claytee D. White on January 14, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Willis discusses his personal history and moving from Sondheimer, Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. He talks about living in West Las Vegas, nightlife entertainment in the area, and community leaders at the time. He then recalls the increase of drug use in the Westside, being incarcerated for a year, and starting an automobile mechanic business. Lastly, Willis discusses his experience with the Las Vegas court system and the continued development of the Westside.
Oral history interview with Aquiles Garcia conducted by Claytee D. White on January 10 and February 20, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Garcia discusses the political atmosphere and risks of being gay in Juan Perón’s Argentina in the 1940s, Las Vegas, Nevada life in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and his dual Las Vegas careers as a dancer and a casino dealer throughout the second half of the twentieth century.
Oral history interview with Shannon Rabb conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rabb describes her experience living in the Herbert Gerson Housing Development on the Westwide of Las Vegas. She describes it as safe, as community, and as protection from the police. In this interview, Rabb discusses a wide variety of topics including gangs, drugs, Westside businesses, and family with an expanded definition.
Oral history interview with Jon Vogel conducted by Carol A. Fitzgerald on March 29, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Vogel discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Vogel describes moving to Las Vegas as a child in 1943 and growing up in the city. He talks about his cement and landscaping business and the projects he has worked on for the city of Las Vegas. Vogel's wife, Tootie Vogel, later joins the interview, and together they discuss musicians and entertainment in Las Vegas. Lastly, they describe how Las Vegas has changed since the 1940s.
Oral history interview with George Gilbert conducted by Ruth Guidi on February 10, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gilbert first talks about his education in Las Vegas, Nevada, life during World War II, the shopping facilities, casinos, churches in Las Vegas, and the Helldorado parades.
Oral history interview with Ron M. Portaro conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 27, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Portaro speaks about Built-Rite Construction, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993, and meeting notable Las Vegas men such as Pastor Paul Goulet Arnie Adamsen, and Charlie Kajkowski. Potaro also discusses how these experiences enabled him to benefit his church, his family, and his adopted community.