Oral history interview with Joseph LaVoie conducted by Stephanie Gillson on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, LaVoie discusses being a police officer in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1945 to 1966, as well as life around the city at the time and its expansion. LaVoie also discusses the nearby nuclear testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brian Cram conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 28, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Cram discusses his early life as a native Nevadan from Caliente, Nevada. He recalls growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada attending Fifth Street Elementary School and Las Vegas High School. Cram also talks about his career as Clark County School District (CCSD) Superintendent from 1989 to 2000.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eleanor Walker conducted by Claytee D. White on June 03, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Eleanor Walker discusses serving as President of the Las Vegas, Nevada Chapter of the NAACP in the early 1970s and holding several jobs throughout her lifetime, being among the first black individuals to hold a position in many of the companies for which she worked. She also talks about how she was a pioneer as a black woman in the Las Vegas community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nel Downing conducted by Scottie Rector in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Downing first talks about the first properties in the Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada area before talking about the forms of transportation available in Las Vegas. She also talks about her work with the Clark County Housing Authority, the development of Henderson, some of the early churches, and the beginnings of gambling in Henderson. She then discusses gambling, life in Nevada, the Helldorado parade, and inflation over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roy Smith conducted by Gary Michael Buyacheic on March 13, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931 for job opportunities. Smith recalls the introduction of gambling and the impact it had on the city and throughout Nevada. Later, Smith describes the Stewart Ranch, Mount Charleston, and the growth of casinos and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Marsh conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 27, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Marsh discusses his early life in Colorado and Nebraska. He remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1971, buying his first car dealership, and sales advertising at the time. Marsh talks about the significance of the car dealership location, and the issues with commercial businesses near residential homes. Marsh describes his car dealership commercials, and why he thinks they have become popular in Southern Nevada. Lastly, Marsh discusses his early interest in buying historical buildings, preserving those buildings, and obtaining his gaming license.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patsy Leavitt conducted by Elizabeth Neumann on March 17, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Leavitt discusses her maternal grandmother, who brought her mother and uncle to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931, and explains how her grandmother opened a boardinghouse that she ran until her death in 1948. She then discusses her father's family, who arrived in Las Vegas in the late 1920s and established a sand and gravel business. She discusses her education and marriage, and reflects on Las Vegas in the 1950s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida Perkins conducted by Alexa Sweeny on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Perkins discusses her personal history growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Perkins talks about recreational activities she participated in, being involved in church, and living in the Windsor Park housing area in North Las Vegas. She then recalls her educational experience in Las Vegas, being involved in school sports, and West Las Vegas housing. Later, Perkins describes businesses on the Westside, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and playing on the women’s basketball team, the Lady Rebels. Lastly, Perkins discusses her contributions in forming the Foxy Ladies Organization, and also changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Pappas conducted by Adrienne O'Neal on March 02, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pappas candidly discusses his career as a dealer working in various casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pappas describes the differences between dealing in illegal gambling operations in New York City, New York and dealing for casinos in Las Vegas. Pappas discusses the differences between law enforcement in Las Vegas and on the east coast, and how he feels law enforcement is prejudiced against Italians. Pappas also discusses how he feels politics and minority groups have changed New York City for the worse.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lance Burton conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 17, 2020 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Lance discusses his personal and professional histories and how he came to be a headliner at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas. He also discusses his recent affairs after retiring from performing on the Strip in 2010. Subjects discussed include: Lance Burton Theater; International Brotherhood of Magicians
Archival Collection