Oral history interview with Mildred Bardy conducted by Deborah Grant on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview Bardy discusses the famous celebrities who would come to purchase clothing at the specialty clothing department store where she worked, as well as the costumes that were made there for the Helldorado Parade. Bardy also discuss some of the changes in Las Vegas over time, particularly the changes in fashion styles.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Lockhart conducted by O’Sheyon Rollins on April 17, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Lockhart discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965 after transferring to Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas). He talks of his impressions of the city at the time, his first accounting job at Southwest Gas Corporation, and his employment with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) in the 1970s. Lockhart then recalls being the first African American Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Nevada in 1977 and being appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission in 1983. Later, Lockhart discusses the process to qualify for employment as a CPA and owning a CPA firm in the 1980s. Lastly, he describes West Las Vegas businesses and shares his thoughts on the growth of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Nancy Deaner conducted by Claytee D. White on June 05, 2018 and June 11, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Deaner talks about her upbringing in Reno, Nevada and in Las Vegas, Nevada. She remembers her father’s career in gaming, and her employment at the Mint Casino and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Later, Deaner talks about her involvement with the Shade Tree, her role as the Las Vegas Cultural Affairs Director, and public art in Las Vegas. In the second interview, Deaner discusses working with the Neon Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, and the Arts District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Suda conducted by Eileen Green on March 03, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Suda describes life in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942, where he was sent for military training during World War II. He discusses the history of the Las Vegas Flexible Gunnery School which was located in what became Indian Springs, Nevada, and the establishment of Nellis Air Force Base. He talks about recreational activities in Las Vegas, including listing different entertainers and casinos that were present at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Philip Murphy conducted by Stephen Johnson on January 22, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Murphy shares his memories of growing up in St. Thomas, Nevada. He also talks about the growth of Southern Nevada as people moved towards the west.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with L. J. Bowman conducted by Lidia Sedano on October 11, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Bowman discusses his upbringing and path to becoming a teacher during the 1970s. He discusses his experience as a teacher in Wisconsin and in Montana, but highlights his 17 years as principal in various Montana school districts prior to becoming a teacher in the Clark County School District in the 1990s. He discusses his personal philosophy of education, and how it influenced his career as an administrator. He also discusses highlights and challenges of his career, and provides suggestions on what makes a successful principal.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Velma Haselton conducted by Catherine Bellver on September 13, 2001 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Haselton opens her interview describing her childhood and schooling. Haselton then discusses finishing her accounting degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Hasleton talks about her three marriages, her husbands' jobs and her experiences in the various marriages. Haselton goes on to discuss moving back and forth from Nevada to California for her career in accounting. Haselton ends her interview describing why she finally settled in Las Vegas, Nevada, and her work as a CPA at the Kafoury Accounting firm.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Brascia conducted by Joe Mascellino on February 24, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mascellino asks Brascia about social and cultural changes, the growth of different religions, Brascia’s brief presence in the airline industry, political presence in Las Vegas, Nevada, and rising crime rates. Brascia also specifically discusses her experience in the gaming and hospitality industry and how gaming operations have changed over time, particularly comparing gaming and hiring practices in the 1950s with those in the 1970s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carol Forsythe conducted by Sam Copeland on March 02, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Forsythe discusses her husband’s career as a firefighter, specifically facts about the growth of the Clark County Fire Department. Forsythe later talks about the different residences at which she and her family lived and the developmental changes to Las Vegas, Nevada since she first arrived. Forsythe then discusses the Helldorado tradition and its changes as well as her family’s Episcopalian faith and the churches they attended.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard E. Buchanan conducted by Gary Gekakis on March 07, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview, Buchanan discusses growing up in Southern Nevada and his occupational experience, including working as a construction worker, maintenance worker and warehouseman.
Archival Collection