Oral history interview with Diane and Pat Clary conducted by Claytee D. White on May 20, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, the Clarys discuss the history of Las Vegas, Nevada, their personal histories, and provide an overview of Las Vegas during the 1950s and 1960s. Diane Clary describes working for various casinos as a teenager and her father's work as a casino chef. Pat Clary describes his history and involvement with the musical arts in Las Vegas. The couple talk about the nuclear weapons tests performed at the Nevada Test Site and the prevalence of organized crime in Las Vegas' casinos before the arrival of Howard Hughes. Pat Clary also discusses his involvement in Nevada politics as a Democrat and his career as a lawyer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Allen Fritzsche conducted by Joyce Moore on February 12, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Fritzsche begins by discussing his time in the United States Air Force, his interest in electronics, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964 after being employed by EG & G, Inc. He describes his job duties measuring radiation levels at the Nevada Test Site, as well as at other test sites and nuclear power plants around the country and the world. Fritzsche talks about the effects of radiation and nuclear fallout, nuclear weapons tests, and life in Las Vegas during the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Eva Futch conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2010 and November 10, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Futch begins by discussing her personal history in Sweden, describing her early life, education, and what life was like in Sweden. She continues by describing her involvement in the boxing industry through her husband, Eddie Futch, who was a prominent boxing trainer. Futch provides insight into various aspects of boxing, how her husband trained fighters, and provides details on how the industry operates and the athletes she met. Futch describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995 and the boxing events she was involved with in the city. She also goes through a series of photographs and memorabilia of her husband and explains their history and significance.
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 Louis A. Tabat conducted by Jo Anne Marshall on March 30, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tabat discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tabat describes being stationed at Nellis Air Force Base and searching for housing in Henderson, Nevada because of lack of housing in Las Vegas. He also describes his television repair business, how Las Vegas has developed and changed, and life in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Lastly, he talks about nuclear testing, being a constable for the North Las Vegas Township, and his religious affiliations.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas Taney and his wife, Helen Taney, conducted by Anthony Foley on October 22, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mr. Taney discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work in the factories and Mrs. Taney discusses moving to Las Vegas for adventure. Mrs. Taney talks about her music career and Mr. Taney talks about the importance of the railroad and the mining industry in Nevada. Lastly, Mr. Taney describes the changing water levels in Las Vegas as well as the growth of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fred Thompson conducted by Henry A. LeClaire Jr. on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses his personal history and upbringing in Nevada. Thompson describes moving around the state due to his father's work as a miner and the types of ores his father would mine, including tungsten and uranium. Thompson also describes life in the rural desert, desert wildlife, the miners' lifestyle, and the interactions he had with Native Americans. Thompson goes on to discuss moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965 after his father was hired as an operating engineer for the Nevada Test Site. He talks about the differences between living in the city compared to the country and how Las Vegas has evolved.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Iona Thompson conducted by Lisa C. Krueger on March 08, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thompson discusses different aspects of life in Las Vegas, Nevada during World War II. Thompson describes the rationing of food and fuel, as well as the increased military presence in Las Vegas and how that affected the city. Thompson also describes how Las Vegas has changed since the 1940s, prominent locations in the city such as Lorenzi Park and McCarran Field, and pollution caused by the chemical and metal plants in Henderson, Nevada. Lastly, she talks about flight and bombing trainings in Las Vegas and working at the Las Vegas Army Gunnery School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nadine Tobin conducted by Pamella Perry on February 10, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tobin discusses her personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Tobin describes moving to Las Vegas as a child in 1941, life in the city, and how the city has changed and grown. Tobin then talks about the arrival of Bugsy Siegel; new casinos in Las Vegas; and the El Dorado Ranch, a divorce ranch. She goes on to discuss her career as a photograph lab technician, how photographs were developed, new printing technology, and printing photographs for the Atomic Energy Commission and Nevada Highway Patrol. Lastly, she discusses her recreation activities and the Helldorado Parade.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Ullum II conducted by Gerald Brooks on September 28, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ullum discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1910s. He describes life in the city during the early twentieth century and how the city changed and expanded, including construction of various buildings, casinos, and roads. Ullum goes on to discuss the careers he held, such as officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, district manager and safety engineer for the Nevada Industrial Commission, and city manager for the City of Las Vegas. He also talks about his family, political involvements, and the areas of Las Vegas he has lived in.
Archival Collection