Oral history interview with Ree Wengert conducted by Jams A. Bibbee on February 28, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wengert discusses her personal history prior to arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951. Wengert then describes the El Rancho Hotel and Casino in the 1950s, and recalls being freely permitted into Nellis Air Force Base to see the aircraft stationed there. Wengert later discusses the significance of the Helldorado Parade, atomic bomb testing, and the advancement of telecommunications.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patty Boyd conducted by Joyce Marshall Moore on October 24, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Boyd discusses her personal history and living in Boulder City, Nevada from the 1930s to the 1950s. She describes the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1940s, recreational activities in Boulder City, and the growth of Henderson, Nevada. Lastly, Boyd recalls the blackouts during World War II and the plane crash of Carole Lombard.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marion Earl conducted by Robert Pearce on March 13, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1923, serving as a member of the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce, and then being elected president of the chamber in 1941. He also discusses being elected justice of the peace in 1934, and serving for two terms.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Juanita Gusewelle conducted by Nita Kreuzer on March 06, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gusewelle discusses life during World War I and II, the effects of the Great Depression, Nellis Air Force Base, Helldorado Days, and political changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Darrell Luce conducted by Claytee D. White on September 28, 2003 and October 06, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Darrell Luce discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family in 1932, the history of Las Vegas, the testing of nuclear weapons, Basic Magnesium Inc., Carver Park, the construction of Hoover Dam, and businesses in early downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mildred Michele Fikes conducted by Kerry Thomas on May 14, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fikes discusses her personal Las Vegas, Nevada history starting with her arrival to the city in 1942.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Toni Clark conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin on July 02, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Clark opens her interview describing her childhood in Seattle, Washington. Clark then discusses moving to San Diego, California in 1941 and becoming a waitress at the Monte Carlo bar and restaurant. Clark then discusses how war rationing affected daily life and the nightclub industry. Clark then talks about marrying Wilbur Clark, moving with him to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1944, and the history of the El Rancho Vegas. Clark discusses the opening of the Monte Carlo Club, living in Las Vegas in the 1950s, and the opening of the Desert Inn Hotel. Clark goes on to describe the management of the Desert Inn, the food, and lounges. Clark then mentions the celebrities she has met and entertained, and the opening of the Flamingo Hotel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise Riley conducted by Bryan Neel on March 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Riley discusses her life after moving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1946, and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Riley describes dates with her husband on the Las Vegas Strip, which included visiting clubs or watching Liberace perform. Riley also discusses her husband's job as an accountant at the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, as well as briefly discussing her experiences viewing nuclear weapons tests.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Entsminger conducted by Stefani Evans on May 31, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Entsminger discusses his early life in Colorado. He talks about going to law school at the University of Colorado, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999, and his employment for the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) legal team. Entsminger describes the infrastructure projects that the SNWA has been involved in, negotiating multi-jurisdictional regional and international contract agreements, and protecting the future water supply. Entsminger explains water banking, water rights, and aquifers in Lake Mead. Lastly, Entsminger talks about water conservation, the SNWA’s water conservation plan, and drought that Nevada is experiencing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James "Sailor" Ryan conducted by Perry Kaufman in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ryan discusses moving to Nevada from Montana in 1935. Ryan describes his career as a construction laborer for the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) as well as later positions in construction. Ryan also details his involvement in politics and his position in the Nevada Assembly. Lastly, Ryan discusses gambling and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection