Oral history interview with Susan Fine conducted by Cecillia Boland on February 18, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fine discusses her family background and moving to Boulder City, Nevada, and then later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses the educational system, church involvement, mercury test site, Howard Hughes’ impact to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Billy Christ conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on October 09, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Christ, who plays bass, discusses his career in New York City, New York and Las Vegas, Nevada as a jazz musician. Christ also talks about his childhood and growing up in Detroit, Michigan and New York City, New York.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barbara Mowry conducted by Jon Sedlacek on February 16, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mowry describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from California in 1949 to get a divorce, before remarrying and entering into the restaurant business with her new husband. Mowry discusses buying an established restaurant, the Villa Venice, with her husband, and the eventual fire that would destroy the restaurant in 1952. Mowry describes running the restaurant, the different kinds of recreation in Las Vegas during the 1950s, and how Las Vegas has changed since she moved there. Mowry also discusses the prejudice against African Americans in Las Vegas, and how her husband would have to let in African American performers such as Sammy Davis Jr. or Pearl Bailey through the back door of their restaurant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Pappas conducted by Adrienne O'Neal on March 02, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pappas candidly discusses his career as a dealer working in various casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pappas describes the differences between dealing in illegal gambling operations in New York City, New York and dealing for casinos in Las Vegas. Pappas discusses the differences between law enforcement in Las Vegas and on the east coast, and how he feels law enforcement is prejudiced against Italians. Pappas also discusses how he feels politics and minority groups have changed New York City for the worse.
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 interviews with John Edmond conducted by Claytee D. White on February 19 and 25, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Edmond discusses his family history in Tallulah, Louisiana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada before Basic Magnesium, Inc. drew many African Americans to the region. He recalls working as a young boy at the local bowling alley and later attending college in Seattle, Washington. After college, Edmond returned to Las Vegas and became the first Black baccarat dealer at the Stardust Hotel working for Frank Rosenthal. He discusses later owning the largest shopping center in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jean Rambo conducted by Mary Fitzgerald on April 29, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rambo discusses her career as a nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her initial impressions and responsibilities as a nurse in Las Vegas, as well as the construction of Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital (University Medical Center). Lastly, Rambo discusses her experiences in nursing school.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Hill conducted by Claytee D. White on May 04, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Hill discusses being a Las Vegas, Nevada community volunteer and founding the Friends of Channel 10, Las Vegas Summer Camp Fund, and the Voluntary Action Center. She also discusses working with the Frontier Girl Scout Council, United Way, and the Home of the Good Shepherd Center Auxiliary. Hill then discusses working as a fashion consultant with William Rondina's Carlisle Collection.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Cichoski conducted by Tracey Bradley on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cichoski discusses, the roles and functions of the Cumorah Credit Union, the development of the credit union, the effects of the transition from federal to state charters and those advantages, and the overall function of a credit union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ivan Jackson conducted by Sandy Steel on February 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Jackson’s life in Southern Nevada. Jackson talks about his work on the Union Pacific Railroad as well as working with the Hampton Construction Company. Jackson also discusses environmental changes due to a growing population in Southern Nevada and its impact on hunting. The interview concludes with a discussion on the development of North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection