Oral history interview with George Gilbert conducted by Ruth Guidi on February 10, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gilbert first talks about his education in Las Vegas, Nevada, life during World War II, the shopping facilities, casinos, churches in Las Vegas, and the Helldorado parades.
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 Shirley Edmond conducted by Claytee D. White on June 24, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Shirley Edmond talks about growing up in the Westside neighborhood of Las Vegas, Nevada as the daughter of a local preacher. She tells of the early community's shopping and neighborhood landmarks. Shirley also shares stories of her work at both the US Post Office and Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alice Paiz conducted by Elizabeth Farmer on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Paiz describes her personal history and how she has seen Las Vegas, Nevada develop since moving there in 1952. Paiz discusses being a Boy Scouts Den Mother, entertainment in Las Vegas, and the Helldorado Festival. Paiz also discusses various reasons why women have more opportunities in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth Johann conducted by Gloria Banks on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johann discusses the origin of his business and early land prices in Southern Nevada. Johann also explains the history of his investments and how land development progressed in Las Vegas, Nevada from the 1950s onward.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lawrence Hadland conducted by Lorraine Owens on February 02, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hadland offers insights into local business, family life, jobs, and the overall community of Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses the military and the local airport.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard "Dick" Richards conducted by his son, Rick Richards, on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Richards describes his own personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Most notably, Richards describes his time working as a dealer in casinos owned by the mob and his interactions with individuals involved with organized crime.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold Schnitzlein conducted by Anne Cvetkovic on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schnitzlein discusses his life experiences in Southern Nevada. He talks about changes in the Las Vegas Strip since the 1950s, and life in Boulder City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wing Fong conducted by Risota Villanueva Lee on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fong discusses the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, small businesses, minorities, Chinese philosophy on education, and growth in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with J.T. Thomas conducted by Samuel Greene on February 13, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thomas discusses his arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1913 in search of job opportunities. Thomas also describes the development of Las Vegas, specifically the increase of hotels and casinos. Thomas then discusses segregation in schools and explains that African Americans were only allowed to live on the West Side of Las Vegas. Thomas later recalls downtown Las Vegas and changes in the state's educational curriculum.
Archival Collection