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Elsie Whipple oral history interview
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Abstract
Oral history interview with Elsie Whipple conducted by Hugo A. Cascos Jr. on March 22, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Whipple discusses Southern Nevada history and recalls the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Whipple also recalls the first hotels and casinos to open on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, and her work as a missionary with the Mormon Church.
Archival Collection
Lenny Martin oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Lenny Martin conducted by Betty B. Rosenthal on March 24, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Martin discusses the experiences of African American entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip in early Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Maxine James oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Maxine James conducted by Danny DiGiacomo on March 2, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss the ease with which people could find jobs in early Las Vegas, Nevada. James talks about the Sahara, Thunderbird, and El Rancho casinos. The interview ends with a discussion on the rapid growth of the city in the 1950s and 1960s.
Archival Collection
Leo Dunbar oral history interview
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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
Nancy Master oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Nancy Master conducted by Claytee D. White on July 14, 2006 and for the UNLV @ 50 Oral history Project. In this interview Nancy Master discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980 and getting a job at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 1981. She also discusses teaching library skills, history, and political science at UNLV.
Archival Collection
Melville Smith oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Melville Smith conducted by Karl Kuopus on February 17, 1977 and February 23, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith describes his career working for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada in the Planning and Development Department. Smith discusses city planning, how Las Vegas has changed, and housing in the city. Smith also talks about nuclear weapons tests, his children, and why he moved to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Raymond D. Rawson oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Raymond Rawson conducted by Claytee D. White on October 30, 2009 and November 13, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Raymond Rawson discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of ten in 1950. He also discusses his educational background, including the fact that he was a member of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' first graduating class. He also talks about growing up in Las Vegas, his professional accomplishments, advocating for the creation of the UNLV School of Dental Medicine, and about being a community leader.
Archival Collection
George Monahan oral history interview
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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
Stanley Paher oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Stanley Paher conducted by Claytee D. White on March 20, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Paher recalls his childhood, being born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. His family built and owned the Gateway Auto Court, now the Gateway Motel, at the corner of Las Vegas and Charleston Boulevards. After a brief period serving in the United States Navy and obtaining a bachelor's degree, Paher entered the master's program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Paher discusses his love of researching and writing about Nevada ghost towns, including writing his first book on the subject in 1970. He recalls seeing the physical book on the printing press, and talks about the profound impact that moment had on his life. It led to the founding of Nevada Publications, and his involvement with 59 Las Vegas and northern Nevada authors from 1970 through 2023. Paher has written fifteen books on Nevada, Arizona, and California.
Archival Collection
Mario C. Monaco oral history interview
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Oral history interview with Mario C. Monaco conducted by Kim Rhodes on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Monaco discusses moving from Montana to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. Monaco discusses his career in the U.S. Navy as well as his career in education. He also discusses changes in the education system, including the required competency test and changes in attendance policy.
Archival Collection