Oral history interview with Robert Bugbee conducted by Karol Sorrells on July 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bugbee briefly discusses his role as part of the Savings and Loan Commission in Nevada, as well as his thoughts on the above-ground atomic testing. He then talks about gaming and mining, the development of the Las Vegas Strip, and some of the biggest floods storms in the city. He mentions some of the early important community figures and talks about how Las Vegas, Nevada has grown over time, specifically in education. Bugbee later talks about the Sheriff’s Jeep Posse and eventually his thoughts on racial issues and prejudice in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Robert Bugbee conducted by John Lopez on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bugbee discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953 and how both the population and housing have changed since then. Bugbee additionally speaks about the changes in infrastructure, including the building of roads and increased air travel. Throughout the interview, he mentions some of the various specific housing tracts that were built throughout Las Vegas. Bugbee also mentions topics such as the building of Hoover Dam, the first popular casinos in town, the Carole Lombard crash, and the MGM Grand fire. The interview finalizes with Bugbee’s thoughts on the future of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Von Eisinger conducted by Marilyn Eisinger on February 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Von Eisinger discusses weather conditions of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Hoover Dam, political representation of the different regions within Nevada, hunting, fishing, and labor unions in Nevada.
Oral history interview with Christine Szukala conducted by Bridgette Foote on November 12, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Christine shares her family history and the story of her Thai mother and American Air Force father who met in Thailand and married before moving to the United States in 1970. She talks about her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada near Nellis Air Force base with her six siblings. Christine discusses her beliefs of how her newly immigrated mother adapted to American life, including altering her recipes to fit her husband's taste and reducing her visits to nearby Buddhist temples.
Oral history interview with Jean Childs conducted by Claytee White on December 02, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Jean recalls the culture shock of segregation and racism her family encountered upon arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada from California in 1963. Jean spoke about how her mother was a role model for her, who carved a path of fighting for the underprivileged, growing the Head Start program in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Darwin Gidel conducted by Claytee D. White on October 21, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gidel discusses being a flight engineer in the Air Force during World War II. He describes when he was shot down over Belgium in 1944 and was held as prisoner of war in Belgium and Germany for eleven months. He also discusses being an accountant.
Oral history interview with Al Lermusiaux conducted by Shirley Dianne Long on March 09, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lermusiaux begins by talking about his move to Las Vegas, his family and what brought him to the city. He shares many anecdotes about the construction of different iconic buildings in Las Vegas, the inner workings of the business, payments to employees and the changes in technology. Lermusiaux, in particular, talks of the telephone system in the fifties and the changes in structures and their regulations. During his interview, Lermusiaux lays out an image of old Las Vegas and Henderson, giving detailed descriptions of the layout of the city, the projects he worked on and the effects of the weather on building structures in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Sammie Armstrong conducted by Claytee D. White on March 08, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Armstrong discusses his early life in Camden, Arkansas and growing up working on a farm. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963, and describes the Westside at that time. Armstrong talks about the businesses on Jackson Street, churches on the Westside, and integration in Las Vegas. Later, Armstrong discusses co-founding a transportation business in the early 1980s, Ray & Ross Transport, and providing transportation for Nevada Test Site employees. Lastly, Armstrong talks about growing his business into one of the largest bus companies in Nevada.
Oral history interview with Peggy Huber conducted by Greg Pushard on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Huber’s life in Nevada and also offers an insightful overview of Nevada’s rich history. Huber discusses life on the ranch, mining, settlement, and the local early aboveground atomic blasts.
Oral history interview with Colleen Gregory conducted by Tim Waters on April 6, 1976 and April 7, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gregory first talks about her move to Las Vegas, Nevada; her early education, school activities, and her college education. She also talks about the first banks, Helldorado, the atomic testing, and environmental changes. Other topics covered include Howard Hughes, Western-style influences, the first properties on the Strip, World War II, racial prejudice, and changes she has noticed during her career in banking.