Oral history interview with Gloria Dixon conducted by Claytee D. White on May 2, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Dixon recalls her childhood growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dixon attended St. Christopher and Bishop Gorman High School, and recalls her parents' involvement in the New Jerusalem Church. Dixon discusses writing grants to help with community education programs, and using her experience as a hospice nurse for the last thirty years to help communicate information about public health crises. Throughout the interview, Dixon shares information about the businesses in the Las Vegas Black community on Jackson Street.
Oral history interview with Holbert Hendrix conducted by Keith Thomas on February 20, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss changes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, including construction, when the university began awarding degrees, and Hendrix’s reasons for moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Hendrix then describes changes to the Strip and how the hotel industry has changed since he first arrived in Nevada. The interview concludes with Hendrix contemplating new problems that may arise in Las Vegas and his hopes that the Nevada state government would invest more into funding for education.
Oral history interview with Melville Smith conducted by Karl Kuopus on February 17, 1977 and February 23, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith describes his career working for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada in the Planning and Development Department. Smith discusses city planning, how Las Vegas has changed, and housing in the city. Smith also talks about nuclear weapons tests, his children, and why he moved to Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with James Matson conducted by Ken Rose on February 23, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Matson discusses his early life in Pensacola, Florida and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work in resort and housing construction in 1952. Matson also discusses his family, his part-time work as a personal security guard, and the growth of Las Vegas. Lastly, he discusses African American racial discrimination and economic opportunities in Las Vegas in the 1950s to the 1980s.
Oral history interview with William Brymer conducted by Rob Mullaney on March 09, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brymer explains how he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada for the gaming attractions and eventually married and had two children. Brymer talks about working as a craps dealer at the Frontier Club in Downtown Las Vegas, the Last Frontier on the Las Vegas Strip, and later a pit boss at the Sahara. Brymer also discusses a visit by Lyndon B. Johnson, the early atomic testing, the importance of religion in his life, changes in climate, the development of the Strip, the existence and decline of agriculture, and some of the entertainers who performed on the Strip.
Oral history interview with Alton H. Peterson conducted by Jay Brewer on October 08, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Peterson discusses the history and expansion of Boulder City, Nevada, Henderson, Nevada, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Paula Saragoza conducted by John Fornillo on March 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Saragoza discusses her family ancestry. Saragoza also discusses atomic testing and the growth of hotels and casinos in the city.
Oral history interview with Juanita Rice conducted by Bob Hulbert on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rice recounts her personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada after moving there in 1942 with her ex-husband, who worked at the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson. Rice also discusses the construction of the I-15 interstate.
Oral history interview with Mary Hocker conducted by Mary Fitzgerald on April 05, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hocker talks about her life and nursing in Las Vegas, Nevada. She specifically talks about Cadet Nurse Corps, nursing education, and her job as a nurse jail matron.
Oral history interview with Greg Thompson conducted by Jim Colleran on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses growing up around the Crestwood neighborhood and recalls his education in Las Vegas, Nevada. He then describes the Huntridge Theater, local businesses, and the increase of casinos. Lastly, Thompson discusses fishing at Lake Mead and population growth.