Oral history interview with Gayle Wallace conducted by Steven Stover on February 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wallace discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Wallace begins by describing his father's career as a mechanic working on the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Wallace then describes moving to North Las Vegas, Nevada, what life was like in the developing city, and living in a tent. He talks about his career as a floral designer, how Las Vegas has changed, and recreational activities in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard J. Ronzone conducted by Edna Goodman on March 08, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ronzone discusses education in Tonopah, Nevada, and his early life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ronzone also discusses his business, “Ronzone’s Department Store,” and the growth of local businesses in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ronzone then gives his opinions of the changes that occured in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Line Renaud conducted by Claytee D. White on January 08, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Renaud discusses her career as a singer and her experiences being in entertainment and show business. Renaud begins by describing her upbringing in northern France and what life was like in the country during World War II. She discusses becoming a prominent singer following the war, and performing at the Casino de Paris in Paris, France before being asked to lead a show at the Dunes Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s. Renaud talks about her associations with other celebrities, such as recording with Dean Martin and Nat King Cole, and meeting Bob Hope and performing on his show. Renaud also explains how she helped the Paris Las Vegas obtain the rights from the city of Paris, France to recreate the Eiffel Tower and how she organized the opening of the casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dick Sheridan conducted by Mike McGuire on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sheridan discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. Sheridan discusses the growth of the city as well as the development of multiple hotels and casinos. Sheridan also discusses gambling and the gaming industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Do Stiver conducted by Irene Arambula on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stiver discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1946 with her husband and recalls their involvement in numerous businesses. She then describes the Huntridge neighborhood and its development. Stiver later recalls the pollution emitted from the factories and the increase of smog in Henderson, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Hotchkiss conducted by Barbara Clark on June 27, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hotchkiss discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1946. Hotchkiss discusses the hotel industry, explaining that most casinos had a Western theme before the Flamingo was built, which started a luxury resort trend. Hotchkiss goes on to describe the development of Las Vegas Strip hotels.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Claytee D. White conducted by Stefani Evans on November 2, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Claytee D. White, founding directory of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries, celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the OHRC by contributing her oral history to the collection.
She begins by explaining how the system of sharecropping worked in her family near rural Ahoskie, North Carolina, and she talks about the field work involved in raising cotton, tobacco, corn, and peanuts. The fifth of eight children and the first daughter, she shares memories of going into town with her mother, of admiring her women teachers, and of attending North Carolina Central College (now University) for two years before moving to Washington, D.C., and working for the telephone company.
After recalling her two years in D.C. and 22 years in Los Angeles, California, she describes "running away" to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1990s. Here, at the History department at UNLV, she recalls learning to conduct oral histories. White shares memories of her first interviews with Hazel and Jimmy Gay and Lucille Bryant. She talks of matriculating to the College of William and Mary for her PhD and of returning to Bertie County to live with her mother and administer the office of The Shaw University Center for Alternative Programs in Education (CAPE). She describes how she was offered the position of OHRC founding director, why it matters that she was an "opportunity hire," and how it feels to be the only Black person in a room.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alice Doolittle conducted by Christopher Moran on March 21, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Alice Doolittle discusses why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, working as a dental assistant, her move to Boulder City, Nevada, the first theaters in Las Vegas, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Doolittle Center.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview Betty Pavlikowski conducted by Roy Mankins in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pavlikowski discusses her position on the board of directors for a social club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pavlikowski details the creation and daily operations of the club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bertha Gresh conducted by James M. Greene on November 01, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gresh discusses the early mining days, her personal history, and the history of Nelson County, Nevada. She also discusses her art, social activities, and the prizes she won as a visual artist in Nevada.
Archival Collection