Oral history interview with Elwood Schmidt conducted by Claytee D. White on and November 14, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Schmidt discusses his upbringing and early interest in medicine. He talks about working for the United States Public Health Service, interviewing Emergency Medical Service (EMS) ambulance drivers, and writing Nevada EMS: A History of Emergency Medical Services in Nevada. Lastly, Schmidt discusses providing medical care to Native American populations.
Oral history interview with Suzette Cox conducted by Lance Cooper on March 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Suzette Cox discusses working at the Las Vegas Sun, a local newspaper, as a deputy sheriff, and at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a secretary. She also talks about living in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Las Vegas Strip, gambling, recreational activities, atomic testing, the Mormon Fort, and how Las Vegas has changed over the years.
Oral history interview with George A. Deverell conducted by Sharon M. Smith on April 26, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Deverell discusses working in the gaming industry, general Nevada history, World War II, and being raised under the Mormon religion.
Oral history interview with Stanley Paher conducted by Claytee D. White on March 20, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Paher recalls his childhood, being born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. His family built and owned the Gateway Auto Court, now the Gateway Motel, at the corner of Las Vegas and Charleston Boulevards. After a brief period serving in the United States Navy and obtaining a bachelor's degree, Paher entered the master's program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Paher discusses his love of researching and writing about Nevada ghost towns, including writing his first book on the subject in 1970. He recalls seeing the physical book on the printing press, and talks about the profound impact that moment had on his life. It led to the founding of Nevada Publications, and his involvement with 59 Las Vegas and northern Nevada authors from 1970 through 2023. Paher has written fifteen books on Nevada, Arizona, and California.
Oral history interview with Oscar Schwartz conducted by Claytee D. White on January 25, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Schwartz discusses his personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1980s. Schwartz describes being a casino dealer before becoming a comedy magician and the transition of ownership of casinos from organized crime to corporations. He talks about his career in property and real estate appraisal in Las Vegas and the methods he would use to determine the value of different possessions and estates. Schwartz also discusses his opinion on the spending of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on a new stadium, the development east of Fremont Street, and casinos wanting to build Ferris wheels.
Oral history interview with Russell K. Grater conducted by James M. Greene on November 25, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grater discusses the National Park Service, the history of housing developments in Las Vegas, Nevada and Nelson, Nevada, the leaf system of local plants, and tourism.
Oral history interview with Sally Halko conducted by Roberta Farmer on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Halko first talks about her family background, education, traveling, and church membership. She later talks about the development of Las Vegas, Nevada casinos, racial minorities, housing growth, Lake Mead, and the first theaters.
Oral history interview with DeeDee Jasmin conducted by Claytee White on March 19, 1998 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Jasmin opens the interview discussing her life growing up on the Westside of Los Angeles, California. Jasmin goes on to discuss her pursuit of a dance career as a youth. Jasmin got her first big break playing in the comedy musical Sugar Hill and after her high school years she starred in movies before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955. Jasmin describes her excitement meeting East Coast dancers during her stay in Las Vegas. Jasmin also discusses her interactions with the many famous actors, dancers, singers, and musicians she met during her career.
Oral history interview with Gene Leavitt conducted by his son, Monte Leavitt, on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mr. Leavitt talks about his career as a truck and bus driver. He also talks about the life in Southern Nevada, the soldiers stationed here, and gambling. Leavitt also briefly discusses doing drilling work on the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Oral history interview with Keena Smith conducted by Winita Frederick on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses her personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes what Las Vegas was like as a child, her upbringing in dance, and the significance that participating in the arts has on her life. Smith describes the auditioning process for shows in Las Vegas, her experience as an African American dancer, and being a cast member for The Lion King. Lastly, Smith talks about teaching dance courses at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.