On April 10, 1977, Melody Craddock interviewed her father, Dr. John E. Craddock (b. 1922 in San Diego, California), at their home about his experiences while living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also present during the interview is Nancy Craddock, Melody’s mother, and George Apfel, Melody’s boyfriend. John, who was a dentist in the Navy, describes how Las Vegas was when he first arrived to the city in 1952. The three also discuss the development of the nearby Twin Lakes and Lorenzi Park, John’s personal experiences in witnessing the effects of the atomic testing, and the family’s experiences during trips to the nearby mines. John also talks about hunting in different parts of the state and finalizes the interview by describing the development of the different local airports.
On March 13, 1976, George Apfel interviewed Nancy Craddock (born 1922 in Anaheim, California) at her home about her experiences of living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Craddock begins by discussing her move from San Diego to Nellis Air Force Base with her husband in the 1950s and their eventual move to the Twin Lakes area, at which they had their home built. She provides details about living in this area, such as the recreational activities of her children and the neighbors who lived on the same street, one of whom was a mayor of Las Vegas, Oran K. Gragson. Craddock, a medical laboratory technician, also talks briefly about her experiences while working at Sunrise Hospital, and she later describes how properties operated on the Las Vegas Strip in its early days. The interview concludes with Craddock’s knowledge on the early pioneers of Las Vegas, the formation of the university’s library, and the social conditions during the 1950s compared to those at the time of the interview.
On March 2, 1980, Joe Schneider interviewed Patricia “Pat” Craddock (born 1928 in Las Vegas, Nevada) in her home about her experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pat first talks about growing up in Las Vegas, where she became a teacher, and her eventual travels to live in other cities across the United States. The two discuss Craddock’s experiences as a teacher, the educational system in Nevada, and the specific individuals with whom she worked in education. Craddock also talks about the changes of Las Vegas in general, the perception of Las Vegas from people in other parts of the country, and what she believes the future of the school system will bring. Pat later mentions Helldorado, and she mentions the types of recreational activities available to young people during her time. The interview concludes with Pat’s recollection of her most memorable student while she was a teacher.
On January 4, 1999, Harvey Diederich (b. 1920 in Chicago, IL) was interviewed in his home by K.J. Evans about his experience as a publicist in the gaming industry. Diederich first discusses his background and education in journalism and later discusses the relationship between the Las Vegas News Bureau and hotel/casino publicists. Evans questions Diederich about some of his specific projects, such as those dealing with celebrities and particularly the ones that stood out as the most successful, most unsuccessful, and most creative. Diederich also mentions some of the individuals for whom he worked as well as the various cities to which he traveled for work.
On March 7, 1979, Lawrence R. Biggs, interviewed local sports enthusiast and blackjack dealer, Archie Curtis, (born August, 10, 1941 in Vidalia, Louisiana) at his home in North Las Vegas, Nevada. He relocated to Southern Nevada from Louisiana in 1942. The interview primarily focused on athletics in Nevada, but also covered racial discrimination on the Strip, social and environmental changes, and the local health effects of the early atomic tests. Archie recalls attending the Westside Elementary School, before attending Madison Junior High School in Las Vegas. He describes playing sports for the school teams and playing against schools, such as, the Fifth Street Elementary School, which was located on Las Vegas Boulevard North, and also J.D. Smith Elementary School, which is located in North Las Vegas. He played against schools in Virgin Valley, Moapa and Caliente.
On March 13, 1975, Luise Soholt interviewed Dr. David Bruce Dill (born 1891 in Eskridge, Kansas) about his experience as a researcher in physiology, specifically in Boulder City, Nevada. Dill first discusses his educational background in physiological research, including studies done around the world, and his eventual interest in the effects of heat on the workers of Boulder Dam. Dill then discusses the topics and findings of some of his studies, including one on heat cramps and one on the comparison between sweating in a dog and that in a human. Dill also discusses the use and purpose of salt tablets.
On February 25, 1979, Hans Kohls interviewed Frank Cuti (b. 1904 in Pittsburgh, PA) about his experiences in the gaming industry in Nevada. Cuti first describes his work as a dealer in properties such as the Frontier Club during the 1940s. He then describes how the Strip developed from that point, naming casinos such as the El Rancho, Club Bingo, and the Flamingo. Cuti also discusses topics such as the nature of competition between properties, the problems with cheaters, and the involvement of the mob. He additionally provides his opinions on the involvement of unions in casinos and how dealing in the casinos has changed over the years. In the latter part of the interview, Cuti describes working as a floor man, and he talks about Howard Hughes’s influence on the development of Las Vegas.
On February 26, 1981, collector Iskandar A. Batlouni interviewed Harvey N. Dondero (born November 12, 1909 in Hawthorne, Nevada) in his office in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a member of the Las Vegas Board of Education, Mr. Dondero discusses relocating to Las Vegas in 1931 to teach at Las Vegas High School. During this interview, Mr. Dondero also discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, the gaming industry, school integration, the Westside, the Strip, Howard Hughes, Block 16, and the growth of Las Vegas from a sleepy railroad town to a thriving metropolis.
On August 9, 1984, collector Elizabeth N. Patrick recorded an address by local long time educator, Harvey N. Dondero (born November 12, 1909 in Hawthorne, Nevada) before the Kiwanis Club at the Fremont Hotel in Las Vegas. This address includes Dondero’s observations on the growth of the school system in Las Vegas, Nevada. After the address, Dondero receives a Distinguished Service Award, from the Kiwanis Club of Uptown Las Vegas, as a token of appreciation for his fifty-three years of dedication to children and youth education in Nevada. Dondero also answers questions posed by audience members, regarding the future of Nevada’s education system.
Thalia Dondero is most famous for being the first woman elected to the Clark County Commission. She ran her first successful campaign in 1974 and held office for twenty years. While on the commission, Dondero helped to create Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire state parks, to modernize McCarran International Airport and University Medical Center, and served on the Water Authority Board. She served as a member of the Board of Regents for the Nevada System of Higher Education for twelve years after retiring from the County Commission in 1994. Dondero died September 4, 2016 from complications from congestive heart failure. Thalia Marie Dondero was born January 23, 1920. Her father, Doyle Sperry, was a taxidermist and her mother, Sylvia Peck, was a violinist and worked in a laundry. She lived in both Colorado and Wyoming before her family settled in Bakersfield, California. Dondero moved to Las Vegas in 1943 when her employer took a job with Basic Magnesium, Inc. and requested that she follow him. On June 21, 1946 she married Harvey Dondero who taught English and journalism for local high schools,. The couple had two daughters and three sons together. Dondero was very active in her community. While her children were in school, she volunteered for the Parent Teacher Association and even served as the organization’s president. She was also very active with local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops in Las Vegas. She served as executive director of the girl scouts and was instrumental in creating the Foxtail Girl Scout Camp at Mount Charleston. Throughout her life, Dondero volunteered with a number of Las Vegas organizations, including the Junior League, the International Women’s Foundation, and the Gilcrease Foundation.