Oral history interview with Earl Snyder conducted by Jeff McGilvray on an unknown date in 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Snyder discusses living in Southern Nevada since 1945. He discusses his employment at the Nevada Test Site and explains how the test site was beneficial for the Nevada economy. Snyder then describes the increase of pollution, population growth, and environmental and social changes in Las Vegas. Lastly, Snyder discusses labor unions and their significance in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Toni Clark conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin on July 02, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Clark opens her interview describing her childhood in Seattle, Washington. Clark then discusses moving to San Diego, California in 1941 and becoming a waitress at the Monte Carlo bar and restaurant. Clark then discusses how war rationing affected daily life and the nightclub industry. Clark then talks about marrying Wilbur Clark, moving with him to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1944, and the history of the El Rancho Vegas. Clark discusses the opening of the Monte Carlo Club, living in Las Vegas in the 1950s, and the opening of the Desert Inn Hotel. Clark goes on to describe the management of the Desert Inn, the food, and lounges. Clark then mentions the celebrities she has met and entertained, and the opening of the Flamingo Hotel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Yolanda Rayford conducted by Claytee D. White on August 11, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rayford discusses her personal history and what it was like to have a parent in the armed services during her youth. She talks about living in Tokyo, Japan while her father was stationed there and describes life on the military base. Rayford recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969 and describes the riots that were happening in West Las Vegas at the time. She goes on to talk about the entertainment on Jackson Street and discusses how Jackson Street was the downtown for the Westside community. Lastly, Rayford talks of her employment at the Nevada Test Site doing clerical work and the future of the African American community in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ellen Knowlton conducted by Claytee D. White on August 13, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Knowlton discusses her family background and her career in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). She talks about criminal investigations she has been involved with, bank robberies, and the rise of white-collar crimes. Knowlton recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, her involvement with the opening of the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement (known as the Mob Museum), and ensuring accuracy on the role of law enforcement with the handling of organized crime. Lastly, Knowlton discusses the future of the museum.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Norton conducted by Sergio Pellegrino on April 3, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project.
In this interview, Paul Norton discusses his life in Henderson, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada from 1952 onward. He shares details of his work at Basic Magnesium Inc. (BMI) and at mills around the Valley. Norton talks about his opposition of the MX missile, in contrast to his opinions about atomic testing in Nevada. He also discusses the businesses that operated from 1950 to 1980, how the Las Vegas Strip was constructed, details of Fremont Street and the I-15 freeway, and flooding that was particularly destructive in Henderson.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Woodrow Wilson conducted by Gwendolyn Goodloe on February 28, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Woodrow Wilson discusses working at the Basic Magnesium plant and about becoming the first African American elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1966. He also discusses serving as president of the Las Vegas, Nevada chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples in 1951 and how he was a co-founder of the Westside Federal Credit Union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joy Snyder conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on December 17, 2008 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. Snyder comments on many aspects of her career, including the informal approach to health care, the effects of desert climate on mothers and newborns, and the changes she has seen at Sunrise Hospital. She also comments on adoption practices in Las Vegas, Nevada; drug-addicted babies, and cultural attitudes that appear during the birthing process.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth Hazard conducted by Jerry L. Erb on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. At the time of the interview, Ruth had lived in Nevada for over forty years. Ruth discusses living and working in Las Vegas and Carson City, Nevada. She also covers various subjects including: the atomic tests and the growth of the hotel industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Freddie Sarno conducted by David Schwartz on February 09, 2010 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Sarno discusses his earliest recollections in Las Vegas, Nevada and the lifestyle he had growing up. He talks about the divorce of his parents, living in a Circus Circus Hotel and Casino suite, and the initial planning for The Grandissimo. Lastly, Sarno describes his father’s legacy in Las Vegas and his passing in 1984.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Wilcock conducted by Claytee D. White on April 17, 2014; April 18, 2014, and April 30, 2014. for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Wilcock recalls working in Bal Harbour, Florida, and coming to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend the School of Hotel Management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Wilcock explains gaming terminology and the process of dealing and cheating the casino. He discusses the relationship between Caesars in Atlantic City and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and between operating a gaming company in New Jersey and Nevada. He also recalls opening day at the Mirage, opening the Treasure Island, and how Wynn hotels hired and promoted from within, but instituted a minority recruitment and training program to diversify the workforce.
Archival Collection