Oral history interview with Russell K. Grater conducted by Frederick Dougan on February 10, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grater first talks about his move to the Southern Nevada area and his work that impacted the Hoover (Boulder) Dam project. He then talks about the town of St. Thomas, Nevada, the Lost City, and the activities of tourists. Grater also talks about his work in excavation, the indigenous American Indian tribes of the area, findings on petroglyphs, and the types of wildlife that were found in the area. He later talks about findings related to fossils, gold mining, the effects of World War II on the Hoover Dam project, and vegetation in the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Theda Grinnell conducted by Fletcher Corey on February 28, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grinnell first talks about her move to Nevada and both her and her husband’s employment at the Nevada Test Site. She also talks about the atomic testing blasts, the United States' competition with Russia on nuclear technology, and her employment history. Grinnell later discusses her church membership and goes into detail about the race riots and how they involved and impacted her family. She ends the interview with a discussion of flash floods, the Culinary Workers Union, how World War II affected industry in Las Vegas industry, and the social changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vince Hart conducted by Andrew Bannister on February 21, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vincent “Vince” Hart (born on July 7, 1945 in Jerusalem, Palestine) is interviewed in Hart’s office about his experience with youth soccer, both as a coach and as a player. Hart discusses his family background and his residential history in the United Kingdom and the United States before explaining the development of the men’s soccer team at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He describes his impact on the program and his hopes for future student athletes. The two then delve into a discussion of the fundamentals of soccer and different strategies that are commonly used. They then conclude with a brief description of Vince’s experiences with meeting a variety of professional soccer players at the Las Vegas Stadium.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Holbert Hendrix conducted by Keith Thomas on February 20, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss changes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, including construction, when the university began awarding degrees, and Hendrix’s reasons for moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Hendrix then describes changes to the Strip and how the hotel industry has changed since he first arrived in Nevada. The interview concludes with Hendrix contemplating new problems that may arise in Las Vegas and his hopes that the Nevada state government would invest more into funding for education.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Norman Ty Hilbrecht conducted by Sherry Angell on July 2, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hilbrecht discusses his life in Southern Nevada and changes that he has observed during his time living in the state. The two discuss how Hilbrecht originally came to Las Vegas, Nevada, schools that he attended, and educational changes in law practice. Hilbrecht also discusses his political activities and the sudden influx of newcomers to Nevada. The interview concludes with discussion of changes to Southern Nevada after World War II and natural disasters that Hilbrecht has experienced in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joan Clow conducted by Joyce Moore on October 23, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Clow opens her interview describing her family and upbringing in Nebraska. she then explains how her and her husband's jobs with the Buraeu of Reclamation lead to their move to Boulder City, Nevada in 1977. Clow then explains her husband's job, Head of the materials lab, and her own job, as an assistant to various directors. She recalls revising drafts for environmental impact statements and how the improvements were meant to protect various wildlife. She also discuses travel related to her work and her membership on the Boulder City Hospital Board after her retirement. Clow goes on to talk about her other charity work with organizations including the Philosophical, Educational Organization. Lastly, Clow comments on the changes she has seen in Boulder City over her 26 year residency, she also explains some of the housing construction ordinances of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Rozaire conducted by Claytee D. White on November 25, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Rozaire begins by giving a comprehensive family history, discussing family who have lived in Virginia City, Nevada, his grandfather that lived in Canada who moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career as a painter, and explaining how his mother and father met. He continues, describing his upbringing in California and attending University of California, Los Angeles to pursue a degree in anthropology based off of his interest in Native American history. He also talks about his work as an assistant with the Southwest Museum of the American Indian. Rozaire then discusses his participation in the archaeological studies done in Tule Springs, Nevada during the 1950s. Helen Mortenson, Stephen M. Rowland, Claude N. Warren, and Elizabeth Warren were also present during the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Elizabeth von Till Warren conducted by Claytee D. White and Ashley Guthre on July 07, 2010 and November 18, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In her first interview, Warren describes living in Freeport, Long Island and her education in anthropology. She talks about her involvement in preserving historical sites in Goodsprings, Nevada and discusses the significance of these sites. In her second interview, Warren describes voluntary desegregation in Clark County schools and her experience working with the Clark County Schools’ Professional Growth Services. She then explains her employment at Clark County Community College and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and doing preservation work in the Desert Research Institute (DRI) Museum. Lastly, Warren discusses Rails to Trails, a program that manages old railroad beds, and her employment for the Southern Nevada Historical Society, the Preservation Association of Clark County, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David L. Weide conducted by Claytee D. White on May 31, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Weide discusses his career as a geologist, teaching geology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the history of the University of Las Vegas, Nevada. Weide begins by explaining the history behind the name "Blue Diamond Village," how he came to study geology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the employment process at UNLV. He describes the geological history of Nevada, hosting his own folk music program on the local radio station, KNPR, and his opinions on UNLV's intention to become a "Research One" institution.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roy D. Baker conducted by Dennis McBride February 08, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Baker discusses Fred Schoonmaker, a Reno, Nevada gay activist and his husband, Alfred Parkinson. Baker details their efforts to create Stonewall Park, a town for LGBTQ members in Nevada that was never realized. Schoonmaker attempted to establish Stonewall Park three times in three different locations: Silver Springs, Nevada; Rhyolite, Nevada; and Thunder Mountain, Nevada. Baker talks about his personal relationship with Schoonmaker, his opinion on Stonewall Park, and legal issues that Schoonmaker faced during the development of the town. Baker describes opposition from local residents against Stonewall Park and Schoonmaker's health after being diagnosed with HIV.
Archival Collection