Oral history interview with Suzette Cox conducted by Lance Cooper on March 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Suzette Cox discusses working at the Las Vegas Sun, a local newspaper, as a deputy sheriff, and at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a secretary. She also talks about living in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Las Vegas Strip, gambling, recreational activities, atomic testing, the Mormon Fort, and how Las Vegas has changed over the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Maheu conducted by K. J. Evans on April 19, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview, Maheu discusses Howard Hughes and attempts by Bill Gay and associates to take Hughes' business. Maheu then discusses his career in the FBI and CIA before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Finally, Maheu talks about working for Hughes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Howard Wasden conducted by Gillian Collins on an unknown date in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wasden discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1925 and working for the railroad. Wasden explains how the railroad was a predominant economic asset for Las Vegas at the time. He then describes living on the Westside "Old Town", education in Las Vegas, attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and eventually becoming a teacher. Lastly, Wasden discusses the population growth, development of the Las Vegas Strip, and his role as principal of West Charleston School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steve Johnson conducted by Fred Reagan on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Johnson discusses his exposure to African American racial discrimination and segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s to the 1970s. He discusses these experiences in markets, theaters, casinos, employment, and in common social interactions. Johnson also discusses the slow progression of social acceptance to racial integration and African Americans entering professional fields.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stella Fleming conducted by Suzanne Wright on February 24, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fleming first talks about some of her work in welfare specifically, the early practices of the welfare administration. She also discusses her work with the Works Progress Administration, the American Red Cross, and the Nevada Emergency Relief Program. Fleming also discusses atomic testing, specific landmarks and locations, and the development of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Fry conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on October 09, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Joseph Fry discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He talks about how he was welcomed to the history department by notable people like Roman "Jay" Zorn, Ralph Roske, and Tom Wright. He also talks about doing research, writing books, and becoming history department chair numerous times.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mayer Jacob (Chic) Hecht conducted by Julie Sefman on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Chic Hecht discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. He also talks about the retail business world, being a state senator, being a U.S. senator, and being an ambassador to the island nation of the Bahamas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by James Weslowski on April 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan discusses his memory of the beginning of Nellis Air Force Base, originally named the Las Vegas Aerial Gunnery School for the Army Air Corps. He also discusses the role of the city commissioners in establishing Nellis as a permanent airbase, as well as the role of Western Air Express, a commercial air company which eventually became Western Airlines.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Woodrow Wilson conducted by Elizabeth Patrick on October 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilson discusses some roles he took on in the African American community, including president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Las Vegas, Nevada chapter. Wilson also talks about politics and the importance of the community to make changes in their living conditions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Philip Murphy conducted by Stephen Johnson on January 22, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Murphy shares his memories of growing up in St. Thomas, Nevada. He also talks about the growth of Southern Nevada as people moved towards the west.
Archival Collection