Oral history interview with Charles A. Bennett conducted by Michael E. Kulwin on March 05, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bennett discusses early gaming figures, real estate, Howard Hughes, and casino development. Bennett also weighs in on the Carol Lombard plane crash tragedy, and the early atomic bomb tests conducted in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Celese Rayford conducted by Phillip Walley on November 14, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rayford discusses her career as an educator in Las Vegas, Nevada. She begins by describing her upbringing in Las Vegas, the Westside community of Las Vegas, and attending Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Rayford then discusses her involvement with Top Teens of America and how that program helps to prepare young girls for college. She continues, talking about the effectiveness of disciplinary action against students, her experiences from her first year of teaching, and headstart programs for students who live in poverty.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mike Hines conducted by Perry Kaufman on an unknown date in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Hines discusses his early life in Kewanna, Indiana; education, military service, and his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a city attorney. After passing the Nevada Bar Exam in 1950, Hines opened his law office located on the northeast corner Third Street and Fremont Street.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fred Thompson conducted by Henry A. LeClaire Jr. on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses his personal history and upbringing in Nevada. Thompson describes moving around the state due to his father's work as a miner and the types of ores his father would mine, including tungsten and uranium. Thompson also describes life in the rural desert, desert wildlife, the miners' lifestyle, and the interactions he had with Native Americans. Thompson goes on to discuss moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965 after his father was hired as an operating engineer for the Nevada Test Site. He talks about the differences between living in the city compared to the country and how Las Vegas has evolved.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kim Vilt conducted by Claytee D. White on January 12, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Vilt discusses living in the John S. Park Neighborhood for ten years and her plans to stay there as long as she and her husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Maxson conducted by David Emerson on May 15, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Robert Maxson, the president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 1984 to 1994 discusses securing funding for an engineering school, facilitating its accreditation, and obtaining funding for an honors program.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Josephine Bruns conducted by Christopher Wong on March 9, 1975 and March 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bruns discusses her family background, recreational activities, transportation, entertainment, and the growth of businesses in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bruns also talks about the Stewart Ranch and the Union Pacific Railroad.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard "Dick" Rizzo conducted by Stefani Evans on October 18, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Rizzo discusses his early life in Massachusetts and initial interest in construction. He remembers moving to Arizona to join Tutor Perini Building Corporation in 1977, the company’s first Las Vegas, Nevada project, and their company’s decision to move to Las Vegas in 1980. Rizzo talks about the company's public image, building CityCenter, and the importance of maintaining professional relationships with all members in a building project. Later, Rizzo recalls the making of the book
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Willard Booth conducted by Larmaya Kilgore on November 14, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Booth discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956. He describes his employment at the Sands Hotel and Casino and later at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino. Booth then talks about segregation issues for African Americans working on the Las Vegas Strip. Later, Booth discusses his involvement with the Second Baptist Church and describes the work he would do for the church. Lastly, Booth describes West Las Vegas and entertainers who would perform at the Carver House, the Moulin Rouge, and the Town Tavern.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George E. Franklin conducted by Linda Arnone on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Franklin discusses his personal history and his family background in Nevada dating back to 1862. Franklin discusses his role in Nevada politics, including his role as County Commissioner and Chairman.
Archival Collection