Oral history interview with Robert Bunker conducted by Kent Harmon on October 11, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Mr. Bunker’s family life from Bunkerville to Las Vegas, Nevada. During the interview Robert discusses farming, religious life, and raising a family in Las Vegas. He also discusses the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane on Mount Potosi and describes McCarran Airport and Nellis Airport in the early days.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Caldwell conducted by Lloyd Henderson on March 6, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Richard Caldwell (b. 1935 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) discusses his experience moving to and living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Caldwell discusses his family and his education in business administration before describing the various occupations he has held. Caldwell then talks about the changes in Las Vegas, including racial issues, prejudice, and segregation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ralph L. Canfield conducted by Mariann McDuffee on March 21, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Canfield discusses different housing developments in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos, Lake Mead, Nevada’s environmental quality; prostitution, and atomic testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edwina Danzinger conducted by Leanne Terry on February 26, 1980 and February 29, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Danzinger first talks about her family’s early upbringing in Nevada, her involvement in Boy Scouts and her various positions of employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Danzinger also discusses the changes in the crime rate, air pollution, and the changes made to the university by the Buckley Amendment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Cannon conducted by an unknown interviewer on April 7th, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cannon recalls his contribution to the Pacific Northwest promotional campaign, being on the Board of Directors at the Chamber of Commerce, and being a member of the Convention Authority. He also mentions working with Bobby Calhoun, Maxwell Kelch and the Earl Brothers. He describes Las Vegas, Nevada as the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Carlson conducted by Alice Brown on March 19, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Dr. William Carlson speaks about his experience working at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Carlson, who joined UNLV in 1957, provides his accounts on the history of the university library. Carlson also talks about some of the first librarians who were a part of the library, the funding and donations used to build and develop it, and the eventual construction and architecture of the James R. Dickinson Library.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Verna Chadwick conducted by Keri Wright on February 24, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Chadwick first talks about her early life in Utah, and some of the activities in which she took part when first arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada. She then talks about her involvement in Cub Scouts, her church membership, political involvement, recreational activities, atomic testing, the first stores, casinos, and Las Vegas utilities during the 1950s, particularly water. The interview finalized with a discussion on social changes and the changes in prices of goods over the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marshall Mack Dawson conducted by Robert Mackie on November 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dawson first discusses his early education, his family, and the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort. He then describes the changes he has noticed over time, atomic testing, the Helldorado parades, Red Rock, the development of the Strip, and changes in the Downtown Las Vegas area. Dawson also discusses some of his work for Nevada Power, early movie theaters in Las Vegas, Nevada, and various other topics.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carrie Christensen and Orien “Buster” Stevens conducted by Bernard Timberg on February 04, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Christensen and Stevens discuss segregation in Boulder City, Nevada, their interactions with Native Americans, and the Westside community in Las Vegas, Nevada. They also talk about the Union Pacific Railroad, the influx of migrants and growth of churches during World War II. Stevens describes his experience working on Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) as well as the railroad starting at age fifteen. Christensen discusses her personal life, her religious opinions, and mottos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Joyce Clark conducted by Steven Knowles on February 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Betty Clark discusses her places of residence, the schools she attended, and some of the businesses she remembers from when she first moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses bus transportation, the first hospitals in town, and the early development of the Las Vegas Strip. She then talks about the development of utility services for homes, the development of North Las Vegas, the first airport and airline services, department stores, tourism, and the racial makeup of the city.
Archival Collection