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Transcript of interview with Joan and Leslie Dunn by Barbara Tabach, June 20, 2016 and May 30, 2017

Date

2016-06-20
2017-05-30

Description

Among the stories of those who came to Las Vegas in the 1960s to work at the Nevada Test Site is that of Leslie Dunn and his wife Joan. Leslie had been hired by the U.S. Public Health Service to monitor radiation from the explosions. He has tales flying into craters that make you wide-eyed. This assignment would last until his “retirement” in 1983 – one can’t really describe this couple as retired. During these early years, while Les pursued his scientist career, Joan’s chief focus was on raising their three children, Bruce Dunn, Loryn Dunn Arkow, and Sharon Dunn Levin. She also completed her education in accounting at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She was involved with Equal Right Amendment efforts and League of Women Voters. The couple were only in their forties when Les left the PHS. As he looked forward to new opportunities, he felt compelled to pursue his longtime dream to become a builder, something he had dabbled at as a youngster with his father, Jack Dunn. Together, he an

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Transcript of interview with Lyla Joy Ford by Anne Cope, March 12, 1975

Date

1975-03-12

Description

On March 12, 1975, Anne Cope interviewed Tropicana Hotel decorator, Lyla Joy Ford (born December 12, 1928 in Las Vegas, Nevada) in her home in Las Vegas. During the interview, Ford discusses social life in Las Vegas in the early days. She mentions the Palace Theatre, which became the Guild and the El Portal Theatre. She recalls Sammy Davis Jr. performing at the El Rancho but states that people of color were not allowed in the audience. She remembers the Helldorado Parade as a big western celebration. Her family used to own the Old Ranch, also known as the Stewart Ranch. She states that the railroad, Hoover Dam, and the Basic Magnesium Plant brought money into Las Vegas. She also recalls the atomic tests and witnessing the city’s gradual transformation from a small farming town to a major gambling city.

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