Oral history interviews with Joan Swift conducted by Sue Peterson on March 18, 2004, March 25, 2004, and June 22, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Swift discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s and 1950s. Swift begins the interview by describing her upbringing in the Basic townsite and Boulder City, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and life in Southern Nevada during World War II. She then discusses working in the Clark County Recorder's office, explaining her job duties and what function the office served for the county. Swift continues, talking about recreation activities at the time, including visiting the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and the Helldorado Parades. Swift discusses nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site and her career as the Clark County recorder. Lastly, she describes her thoughts on the future of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gambling in an early Las Vegas casino, probably the Frontier Club. Compare the bare interior with modern casino interiors. Site Name: Fremont Hotel and Casino Address: 200 East Fremont Street
The Sahara complex after the 1963 completion of the 24 room tower, which was the tallest building in Nevada at the time. Site Name: Sahara Hotel and Casino Address: 2535 Las Vegas Boulevard South
The exterior corner of the Eldorado Club on Fremont and Second Streets, now Casino Center. Above the Eldorado Club is the Hotel Apache. Site Name: Eldorado Club Address: 128 East Fremont Street
A shot of a building in Nelson, Nevada; Coca Cola advertisements and a campaign sign which reads, "George E. Marshall for District Judge" can be seen on its exterior. Site Name: Nellis Air Force Base (Nev.)
Three showgirls from Minsky's Follies at the Dunes Hotel pose on stage in their Arabian Nights-theme costumes. Show Name: Minsky's Follies at the Dunes Hotel Site Name: Dunes (hotel and casino)
Nine Copa girls perform a dance number with blue ostrich feather fans on the stage of the Copa Room in the Sands Hotel. Show Name: Fan Dance Site Name: Sands Hotel and Casino
The Copa Girls onstage during rehearsal at the Sands Hotel. Directors and other crew members are seen in silhouette in front of the stage. Show Name: Ziegfeld Follies Site Name: Sands Hotel and Casino