Oral history interview with Gaelan Felt conducted by Perry Kaufman in approximately 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Felt describes working at the Nevada Test Site and the effect the site had on Las Vegas, Nevada. Felt explains why Nevada was chosen as the location for the site, how they tested nuclear weapons, and how the local residents responded to the tests with varying levels of concern. He also talks about other aspects of the test site's history, such as workers' housing, and how Las Vegas has developed and changed.
Oral history interview with Agnes Gauger conducted by Coleen Mancini on February 24, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gauger discusses significant changes and growth in Southern Nevada, including gambling and other industries, family life and recreation, and the early atomic tests. Gauger also discusses housing in Las Vegas, Nevada, Howard Hughes, the McCarran Airport, medical facilities and education in Southern Nevada.
Oral history interview with Jim Shaffer conducted by Gary L. Mynatt on June 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shaffer discusses living in Las Vegas, Nevada and his career in banking. Shaffer describes the positions he has held in the banking industry, where he has lived in Las Vegas, his family life, and his affiliations with different social and professional organizations. He also discusses how nuclear weapons tests at the Nevada Test Site affected the city economically, how Las Vegas has changed and expanded, and credit ratings in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Jimmy Wike conducted by David Schwartz on June 02, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. Wike discusses his career as a card dealer and pit manager at casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada including the Las Vegas Club, Fremont Hotel and Casino, Stardust, MGM Grand, Landmark, Bally’s, Hilton, and Caesars Palace. Wike then recalls stories of card dealing in the 1970s.
Oral history interview with Robert O. Cannon conducted by Julia Bragg on March 11, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cannon talks about the El Rancho Hotel and Casino, Carole Lombard’s plane accident, living in Boulder City, Nevada during World War II, segregation of African Americans from a white person’s perspective, and the creation of a course in hotel administration at the University of Southern Nevada (now known as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas).
Oral history interview with Grant Sawyer conducted by Perry Kaufman on May 12, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sawyer discusses his campaign for Governor of Nevada and the differences between northern Nevada and southern Nevada social life. He then describes winning the election for Governor, the gaming industry, and explains why gaming was significant to his political career. Lastly, Sawyer discusses the Nevada Gaming Commission before and after he was Governor, and actions that he took against organized crime.
Oral history interview with Lawrence Murray conducted by Claytee D. White on March 13, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Murray discusses his early life in Altheimer, Arkansas. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960, living in the Westside, and his time serving in the military. Murray recalls being a member of the Carpenters Local Union 1780, completing a four-year educational program offered by the Union, and his employment at J.A. Tiberti Construction Company. Later, Murray discusses his religious life, being involved in church activities, and remembers African American spiritual leaders in the Westside. He describes becoming the Pastor for Living World Ministry Church of God in Christ, and his efforts to change Las Vegas cultural stereotypes. Lastly, Murray talks about the significance of the church in the African American community, and the important role that women have in churches.
Oral history interview with Cindy Funkhouser conducted by Claytee White on January 14, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Funkhouser discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980 and working as a cocktail waitress and a bartender at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino. She then discusses owning an antique shop and being one of the forces behind First Friday and the Las Vegas art movement that is rooted in the John S. Park Neighborhood's sense of community.
Oral history interview with Wendell Leavitt conducted by Quincy Vineyard on July 15, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Leavitt discusses growing up in Bunkerville, Nevada and the significance of politics in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leavitt later discusses his role as Justice of the Peace in Bunkerville, the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and mining.
Oral history interview with Helen M. Clark conducted by Danny Winegar on March 05, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Helen Clark speaks about her family's move to Las Vegas, Nevada and working as a secretary. She then discusses the beginning of tract home building, gambling, and the building of the Hoover Dam. She also mentions life during the Great Depression, prostitution in Block 16, and the Helldorado celebration. Clark then talks about the first hotels and casinos that were built on the Las Vegas Strip and the mob's influence over those hotels.