Oral history interview with Mae Farei conducted by Martha Cunningham on February 24, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Farei first talks about the development of the Downtown Las Vegas and Las Vegas Strip areas. She then discusses working at the Twin Lakes Lodge and Stardust as a housekeeper, and she later mentions some of the recreational activities available to those in Nevada. She also mentions the importance of Nellis Air Force Base and expresses her appreciation for living in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harriet Barlow conducted by Elsha Harris-Tolanda on April 27, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Barlow discusses her personal history and growing up in Robbins, Illinois. She talks about her education, discrimination in schools, and the process of school integration. Barlow then recalls her first impressions of Las Vegas, Nevada and her employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lastly, Barlow describes going through graduate school as an African American and explains why conversations about race relations can be difficult.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Garren conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 02, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Garren opens her interview by discussing her young adult life in California. She then talks about her first night out in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garren discusses her experiences as an executive secretary at the Last Frontier and the types of jobs available to women in casinos. Garren also describes the amenities available at the Last Frontier and the El Rancho Vegas. Garren goes on to talk about her experiences and memories of the Last Frontier Hotel in detail.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ben Mammina conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 21, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mammina discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois, and his work renovating movie theaters and building hotels. Mammina moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994 and he recalls developing master plans for Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and obtaining a degree in civil engineering. He then describes the development of security technology and its effect on building planning. Lastly, Mammina discusses the process of choosing a building master plan.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Michael Montandon conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 22, 2016 and October 3, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Montandon talks of forming relationships with developers, legislators, and other municipalities. He speaks about land use, open space, parks, trails, conservation, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA). He shares histories and stories of the Becker family's role in developing Clark County, of the Combs family's North Las Vegas, Nevada pig farm and the drama that routinely characterized BLM land auctions, and of why North Las Vegas spent millions of dollars to build its own sewage treatment plant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edgar Fountain conducted by Julia Bragg on February 26, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fountain discusses his career, the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and the Democratic Party.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brad Friedmutter conducted by David Schwartz on September 12, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Friedmutter shares how he develops his architectural projects, his philosophy of design, and the future of urban planning and casino design. He also recalls various owners and designers he has worked with: Henry Conversano, Homer Rissman, Roger Thomas, Donald Trump, Kenny Wynn, and Steve Wynn.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leo Dunbar conducted by Connie Degernes and Helen Littleton on February 24, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dunbar discusses the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Monahan conducted by Colleen F. Karnes on February 28, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Monahan, a county engineer, discusses the history of flood control management in Las Vegas, Nevada and throughout Clark County. Monahan explains the seriousness of flooding in the city, how flooding is managed, and the solutions for flood prevention. Monahan also discusses the evolution of the Clark County Department of Public Works.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Loreta Monson conducted by Jon J. Howard on March 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Monson discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Utah for her husband's job. Monson also discusses the growth of Las Vegas over the years. She talks specifically about hotels and casinos. Finally, Monson briefly describes her family life.
Archival Collection