Oral history interview with Rossi Ralenkotter conducted by Claytee D. White on August 4, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Ralenkotter describes migrating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951 with his parents at the age of four. He shares early memories of the city, and talks about how it brought him to be president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Ralenkotter is responsible for marketing and branding Las Vegas and Southern Nevada as the world's most desirable destination for leisure and business travel. Under his leadership, the LVCVA launched the most successful branding campaign in tourism history, "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas." In 1971, Ralenkotter earned a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and in 2008 was selected as Alumni of the Year. In 2009, he was honored with UNLV's Distinguished Nevadan Award. Throughout the interview, Ralenkotter recalls his many memories of the city throughout his life, including cruising Fremont Street, swimming at Lorenzi Park, participating in Helldorado parades, and watching the transformation of sports in the city.
Oral history interview with Frances Ohman conducted by Claytee D. White on December 12, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Ohman begins the interview by discussing her family history and her father who escaped a Nazi concentration camp as a prisoner of war in World War II. She goes on to discuss her personal history, including her education and her experiences observing racial discrimination as a child in Kansas and during the 1960s in New Mexico. Ohman talks about visiting Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s and describes the casinos of the Las Vegas Strip and the entertainers she and her parents saw, including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Elvis Presley. Lastly, Ohman describes how she came to work for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas libraries, her job duties there, and her history working in Albuquerque, New Mexico as a librarian.
Oral history interview with Dee Hicks conducted by Emily Powers on May 4, 2008 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. Hicks discusses working as a nurse and an administrator at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses her volunteer work on issues relating to nursing.
Oral history interview with Lindell Blake conducted by Claytee D. White on January 12, 2006 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Blake discusses his personal history and moving to New York, New York at the age of three. Blake talks about his life in New York, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990, and his starting his career as a tap dancer. He talks about performing in various productions across the United States, and teaching tap dancing. Lastly, Blake recalls the history of tap dancing in the United States and describes the audition process for dancers in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Russell K. Grater conducted by Frederick Dougan on February 10, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grater first talks about his move to the Southern Nevada area and his work that impacted the Hoover (Boulder) Dam project. He then talks about the town of St. Thomas, Nevada, the Lost City, and the activities of tourists. Grater also talks about his work in excavation, the indigenous American Indian tribes of the area, findings on petroglyphs, and the types of wildlife that were found in the area. He later talks about findings related to fossils, gold mining, the effects of World War II on the Hoover Dam project, and vegetation in the area.
Oral history interview with Norman Forsythe conducted by Bill Cunningham on March 04, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Forsythe discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and joining the City of Las Vegas and Clark County Fire Departments. He also goes into detail about fighting the fire at the El Rancho Vegas in 1960 and his responsibilities as a battalion chief. The interview concludes with Forsythe talking briefly about his family’s recreational activities and his experience as a baseball coach.
Oral history interview with Bud Bodell conducted by an unidentified collector in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bodell discusses Six Companies, the building of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and the development of the local sheriff’s department and the police department. Bodell also discusses the impact of gambling on the local economy, and the development plans and construction of the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip hotels.
Oral history interview with Bonita Coleman conducted by Claytee D. White on February 22, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Coleman discusses her early life in St. Joseph, Louisiana. She shares her experiences helping to raise her 8 siblings while her mother worked to support her family. Coleman briefly discusses the historical race relations of St. Joseph in the 1950s and 1960s from her own experiences growing up. In 1968, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, joining her aunt and sister who had moved here in 1960. Coleman recalls the start of her career in the hospitality industry, and shares what she remembers of her family members' jobs since they all worked in the industry as well.
Oral history interviews with Barbara Agonia conducted by Suzanne Becker on September 17, 2007, September 25, 2007, and October 02, 2007 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Agonia's interviews begin with an overview of her early life, including her education and study abroad experiences in England during college. During the interview Agonia also discusses attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the 1950s for graduate school. Agonia talks about her community activism with Soroptimist International of Las Vegas, Friends of the Nevada Wildnerness, and Clark County Community College. Lastly, Agonia discusses advocacy initiatives for Great Basin National Park and rape crisis education.
Oral history interview with Maury Soss conducted by Nyla Petersen on February 20, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Soss discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Soss describes the casinos, clubs, and life in Las Vegas during the early 1930s, and running Fanny's, a dress store, with his mother. He also describes women's fashion in the 1930s and how modern styles have changed since the early twentieth century. Soss goes on to discuss the Helldorado Parade, the development of Las Vegas through its casinos and public works, and the entertainers who have performed over the years in Las Vegas. Soss then talks about the arts community in Las Vegas and the need for a greater artistic culture in the city.