Oral history interview with Raymond Ellsworth Sutton conducted by Ronnie A. Peters on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sutton discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1941 and recalls the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant and hundreds of homes built in Henderson, Nevada. Sutton then describes his work as an attorney, the Nevada education system, and recalls his experiences as a student at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fiona Kelley conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on March 21, 2009 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. Kelley discusses being a cover dancer in
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Grant Sawyer conducted by Perry Kaufman on May 12, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sawyer discusses his campaign for Governor of Nevada and the differences between northern Nevada and southern Nevada social life. He then describes winning the election for Governor, the gaming industry, and explains why gaming was significant to his political career. Lastly, Sawyer discusses the Nevada Gaming Commission before and after he was Governor, and actions that he took against organized crime.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Ida Pinckney conducted by Claytee D. White on August 23, 2012 and November 05, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Pinckney discusses her personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada after moving there with her family as a child in 1942. She begins by talking about her family and living in a tent house in the Westside community of Las Vegas. Pinckney describes how she feels Westside development has been stunted by an overabundance of churches in the area not paying taxes, life in the Westside during the 1940s, and her experiences as an African American woman in Las Vegas. Other topics of discussion include Pinckney being a member of Culinary Workers Union Local 226, her father and brother working at the Nevada Test Site, and various aspects of Las Vegas history. Willie Jean Beatty also participates in the interview, helping Pinckney expand on topics such as the presence of organized crime in casinos and her involvement in the Sisters Network: An Afro-American Breast Cancer Survivors Organization.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jimmy Wike conducted by David Schwartz on June 02, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. Wike discusses his career as a card dealer and pit manager at casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada including the Las Vegas Club, Fremont Hotel and Casino, Stardust, MGM Grand, Landmark, Bally’s, Hilton, and Caesars Palace. Wike then recalls stories of card dealing in the 1970s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wendell Leavitt conducted by Quincy Vineyard on July 15, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Leavitt discusses growing up in Bunkerville, Nevada and the significance of politics in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leavitt later discusses his role as Justice of the Peace in Bunkerville, the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and mining.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marion Brooks conducted by Kathleen Kasmier on February 24, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brooks talks about working in mining at Blue Diamond and some of the professional mining societies he was a part of. Brooks also discusses the environmental, economic, and demographic changes he saw in Las Vegas, Nevada throughout the decades.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kim Krantz conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on February 26, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Krantz begins her interview discussing her transition from an east coast dancer to a Las Vegas, Nevada dancer. Krantz discusses the performing scene at the time and the general distaste dancers had for showgirls. Krantz goes on to discusses the details of nudity in performances and the relationships show directors like Harold Minsky and Donn Arden had with their performers. Krantz also discusses her experiences as a dancer and her opinions about the treatment of African American dancers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Deering conducted by Gayle Allen on October 29, 1995 for the KDWN Radio Lifelines Oral History Interviews on Nursing. In this interview, Deering talks about his career as a registered nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses the human body and how stress and anxiety impact it in different ways. Lastly, Deering explains his perspective on the fight-or-flight response of the human body.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oran Gragson conducted by Perry Kaufman on December 25, 1972 for the UNLV Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Gragson discusses his employment at Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and Basic Magnesium Plant, and eventually opening his own business in 1967. He then describes changes in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls his involvement with politics. Gragson then discusses his time as the mayor of Las Vegas and explains the challenges he faced as mayor. Lastly, Gragson describes the difference between county government and city government.
Archival Collection