Oral history interview with Vincent Novotny conducted by Carol Linton on March 05, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Novotny discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Ohio after joining the Civilian Conservation Corps. Novotny discusses how Las Vegas has changed, the effect the Hoover (Boulder) Dam had on the city's growth, and the crash of Carole Lombard's plane. Novotny also briefly describes how he got his real estate license and shows the interview collector a series of pictures of his travels around the state of Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rowena Gonzalez conducted by Michael Boyd on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gonzalez first talks about her family background and residential history before discussing the way of life in Texas and eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada. Several topics covered in the interview include Gonzalez’s recollections of the atomic testing, the building of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and Howard Hughes. The two also discuss tourism, the properties on the Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas, and early means of transportation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Calvin Shields conducted by Claytee D. White on May 07, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Shields begins by discussing his upbringing in Florida and his early interest in playing the trumpet before being drafted into the United States Army during World War II, where he learned how to play the drums in a military orchestra. Shields describes his career as a musician following his military service, playing as a drummer for singers such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Billy Williams and in various club and casino orchestras in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shields provides his experiences of segregation in Las Vegas as an African American man, and discusses how African American culture has changed and progressed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ronnie Bank conducted by Lael Byrd on November 30, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Bank discusses his personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his employment at the Las Vegas Hilton (currently Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino) and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Bank then describes nightlife and entertainment on the Strip in the 1980s, discrimination at night clubs, and West Las Vegas entertainment. He goes on to describe the riots following Rodney King’s death, the challenges with interracial relationships, and why families began moving away from the Westside. Lastly, Bank discusses working as a disc jockey (DJ) in Las Vegas, African American radio stations, and the development of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Angela Tampol conducted by Isabelle Rice on November 20, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interivew, Tampol shares her experiences as a Filipina American living in the Bay Area of California and since 2018, Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses her thoughts on beauty standards for Asian women, living in the Philippines for a short time for education, and her involvement in the Bruha Baddies community. She also shares her experience (or lack thereof) of racism as a person of color.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bruce L. Woodbury conducted by Stefani Evans on September 27, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Woodbury talks about serving as Clark County commissioner from 1981 to 2009. He discusses transportation accomplishments such as the CC-215 Bruce Woodbury Beltway, the Desert Inn Super Arterial, and the Monorail.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosemary Vassiliadis conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on April 12, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Vassiliadis discusses her career as a budget analyst in Las Vegas, Nevada and as the first female Director of Aviation at the McCarran Airport. She also discusses managing the airport in the days after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eva D. Peterson conducted by Dorothy Ritenour on June 25, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Peterson discusses moving to Nevada in August of 1927 and recalls her experiences as an educator in Searchlight, Nevada. She goes on to explain her classroom teaching methods.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pearl Busch (born 1936 in Winona, Minnesota) conducted by Laura Busch on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pearl first describes her original move to Southern Nevada and a wide range of topics including the first hotels on the Strip, the growth and expansion of the city, recreational activities such as skiing, and her family. She also discusses gambling and its impact on the city, the clubs and organizations to which she belonged, and her appreciation for the mild Las Vegas climate. The interview finalizes with her thoughts on the biggest excitement Las Vegas offers, her input on the high crime rate in Las Vegas, and her thoughts on the energy crisis and the future of solar energy in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history with Nathan Harper conducted by Claytee D. White on July 29, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Harper describes his childhood and growing up in Wichita, Kansas and how those early days shaped his belief system today. After discussing his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Cyprus, Harper discusses his role, beginning in 2007, as Archaeologist for the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about unearthing the history of John Howell, the first Black man in Las Vegas who claimed land near what is now Springs Preserve. He also talks about relocating railroad cottages to the Preserve, restoring, and even decorating the buildings. He talks about the history of early Las Vegas and the area's water supply throughout the interview.
Archival Collection