Oral history interview with Steve Johnson conducted by Fred Reagan on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Johnson discusses his exposure to African American racial discrimination and segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s to the 1970s. He discusses these experiences in markets, theaters, casinos, employment, and in common social interactions. Johnson also discusses the slow progression of social acceptance to racial integration and African Americans entering professional fields.
Oral history interview with Jack Cherry conducted by Cheryl Mawhinney on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jack Cherry, M.D. (b. 1897 in Little Rock, Arkansas) discusses about his experiences as a practicing physician in Southern Nevada. Dr. Cherry first discusses the steps he took to initiate the building of what would become the Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital, where he would later become the hospital administrator. The interview concludes with Cherry’s opinion on the modern practice of medicine.
Oral history interview with Henry Schutte conducted by an unknown collector on an unknown date in approximately the 1980s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schutte discusses working on trains since childhood and explains the type of maintenance he performed. Schutte then describes his career at the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO).
Oral history interview with Elmer H. Nighswonger conducted by Larry Davis on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nighswonger discusses the history of the Las Vegas Fire Department and describes his experiences as a firefighter. Nighswonger then discusses the El Rancho Casino fire, and the effect that it had on Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Alan Jarlson conducted by Perry Kaufman on June 04, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In his interview, Jarlson discusses the Las Vegas, Nevada newspaper industry and the significant people in the industry. He also discusses other significant people and events in Las Vegas, Nevada history.
Oral history interview with Burton Cohen conducted by Bill Willard on May 31, 1995 for the Arnold Shaw Oral History Project on Las Vegas Entertainers. In this interview, Cohen discusses his experiences working with the entertainment industry, booking entertainers for local shows, and lessons that he learned about successfully advertising shows to attract varieties of audiences.
On March 5, 1979, Danny Winegar interviewed Helen M. Clark (born 1921 in Memphis, Tennessee) about her experiences in Nevada. Clark first describes why she and her family moved to Las Vegas and then explains why she was homeschooled. She then talks about her secretarial work for a prominent real estate agent in Las Vegas and some of her work in that field. Clark also discusses the beginning of tract home building, gambling, and the building of Hoover Dam. She also mentions life during the Great Depression, prostitution in Block 16, and the Helldorado celebration. The interview concludes with Clark’s recollection of the first hotels and casinos that were built on the Strip, including those who built them and the mob influence over them, and a brief mentioning of her experience as a real estate agent.
Oral history interview with Rita M. Zajac conducted by Edward Napierkowski on March 06, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Zajac discusses her recollection of Nevada politics during the 1960s.
Oral history interview with G.C. Ramsay conducted by Steven Fink on March 19, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ramsay compares and contrasts 1950s Las Vegas, Nevada to 1980s Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Jack Melvin conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 24, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Melvin discusses his work as publicity and advertising director for the El Rancho Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada starting in 1948. He goes on to explain his methods of selling advertisements and publicity.