Oral history interview with Marion Paris Lamb conducted by Frances Kristich on June 21, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lamb discusses raising her kids in Alamo, Nevada and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1919.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Warren V. Turner conducted by Arnol D. Wilks on March 10, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Turner discusses arriving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1948 while working for the Bureau of Reclamation. Turner recalls aboveground testing of atomic weapons at the Nevada Test Site and describes the magnitude of the blasts. Turner also describes the development of Las Vegas, Nevada, specifically the growth in population, casinos, and hotels. Turner later discusses the natural environment surrounding the Las Vegas valley.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Buddy Frank conducted by David Schwartz on January 03, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Frank discusses his career in slot operations, including the positions he held in both Nevada and California casino properties. Frank also discusses the utilization of free play as a marketing strategy and the use of Ethernet technology in slot machines. He then talks about how much slots have changed since his start in the business, millennials, skill-based gaming, and the future of slot machines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sam Diaz conducted by Elsa Lopez on January 03, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Diaz discusses his upbringing in Chula Vista, California. He describes growing up near the United States-Mexico border and going to a school where instruction was initially in Spanish. Diaz recalls joining the United States Air Force in 2001, the impact that September 11, 2001 had on him, and being deployed to Iraq for two years. Later, Diaz talks about about difficulties he faced when readjusting to civilian life, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2007, and obtaining a job with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). Diaz recalls the October 1, 2017 shooting and changes that the LVMPD implemented after the tragedy. He talks about adopting two children, the process of becoming a foster parent, and raising his children to speak Spanish. Lastly, Diaz discusses his goals as the chair of the Hispanic Recruitment Council with the LVMPD and the changes that are happening in law enforcement in an attempt to mirror the demographics of the Las Vegas community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ernie Hensley conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on January 25, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Hensley discusses playing in the United States Air Force Band and becoming a member of the "Airmen of Note," the premier jazz ensemble for the Air Force. He also discusses working long-term with Jimmy Mulidore at the Las Vegas, Nevada Hilton Hotel, and his experiences working with Andy Williams, Sammy Davis, Jr., Juliet Prowse, Steve and Eydie, and Sarah Vaughn.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth W. Swallow conducted by Cynthia Brannon on March 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Swallow discusses his personal history and the history of Southern Nevada. Swallow describes moving to Boulder City, Nevada during the 1940s and his career working for the postal service. Swallow goes on to describe prominent figures who visited the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, his involvement in organizations, recreational activities, and nuclear testing. He concludes by discussing the history of Basic Magnesium Inc. and the city of Henderson, Nevada, and how Boulder City has developed and changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Reverend Caesar Caviglia conducted by Susan Hanley on March 14, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Caviglia discusses the relationship between Catholic Schools in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about the need for education in Henderson, Nevada and federal senior housing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Perry conducted by Karen Croteau on March 05, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perry discusses his experiences with Southern Paiute Native Americans on their reservation in southern Nevada. Perry describes the traditions and lifestyle of the Paiutes, and the living conditions on their reservation. Perry shares several short anecdotes of his interactions with the Paiutes, as well as stories he heard on the reservation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Larry Ruvo conducted by David G. Schwartz on January 27, 2009 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. Ruvo begins by discussing his position as a front desk clerk at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1970s. Ruvo then describes how Jay Sarno changed the casino industry by designing Caesar’s Palace with a single theme. Ruvo then chronicles how gaming gradually was legalized in more areas throughout the world and how Sarno capitalized on making Caesar’s Palace an iconic casino which made people want to travel to Las Vegas. Lastly, Ruvo discusses Sarno’s focus on offering both gaming and entertainment options for guests at Caesar's Palace.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Patricia (Kaye) Bowman conducted by an unidentified interviewer ranging from November 16, 1978 to January of 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bowman discusses life as America's first Prima Ballerina.
Archival Collection