Oral history interview with James Cashman Jr. conducted by A. D. Hopkins on August 13, 1998 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview, Cashman discusses his father, James Cashman Sr., moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Searchlight, Nevada for more opportunities. Cashman goes on to talk about his childhood and his relationship with his father. Finally, Cashman describes his father working on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rowena Gonzalez conducted by Michael Boyd on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gonzalez first talks about her family background and residential history before discussing the way of life in Texas and eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada. Several topics covered in the interview include Gonzalez’s recollections of the atomic testing, the building of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, and Howard Hughes. The two also discuss tourism, the properties on the Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas, and early means of transportation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosina Goodwin conducted by Bruce Eubank on March 15, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Goodwin first talks about her family background before discussing the Las Vegas Strip, the Stewart Ranch, and Twin Lakes. She also talks about schools, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, the atomic testing, and her work as a telephone operator. The latter part of the interview includes discussion on changes in Las Vegas, the Helldorado Parade, and changes in weather.
Archival Collection
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 Joyce Shugart conducted by Geri E. Guillot on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shugart discusses her arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. Shugart then recalls Boulder (Hoover) Dam, the Las Vegas climate, and her educational experiences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Shugart later discusses entertainment in Las Vegas and recreational activities around the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arlene Matthews Smith conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on March 26, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Smith discusses living in Caliente, Nevada and recalls her family history. Smith also discusses going to high school in Panaca, Nevada, construction of Boulder (Hoover) dam, prohibition, and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vincent Novotny conducted by Carol Linton on March 05, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Novotny discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Ohio after joining the Civilian Conservation Corps. Novotny discusses how Las Vegas has changed, the effect the Hoover (Boulder) Dam had on the city's growth, and the crash of Carole Lombard's plane. Novotny also briefly describes how he got his real estate license and shows the interview collector a series of pictures of his travels around the state of Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fern and Witt C. Olive conducted by Terry Rogers in 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Fern and Witt Olive discuss moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1922 and 1926 respectively. Witt talks about the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, his experience in the Boy Scouts of America, and the growth of Las Vegas. Fern primarily provides confirmation for Witt's reminisces.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John H. Pappas conducted by James Greene on October 04, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pappas describes coming to the United States during the early twentieth century, eventually making his way to Nevada in 1904. Pappas discusses working for the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad Company helping to build the railroad from Caliente, Nevada to Las Vegas, Nevada. Pappas later discusses leaving Nevada, then returning to help build the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, before leaving due to the extreme heat. Pappas describes his personal history in Las Vegas, the city's changes, and opening his own restaurant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Albert Schouten conducted by Roger DeSart on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schouten discusses his family background in Las Vegas, Nevada dating back to 1924 and recalls growing up in Las Vegas. Schouten then describes the changes that the city went through and growth of Las Vegas at large. Later in the interview, Schouten discusses the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the opening of Boulder (Hoover) Dam with President Roosevelt, the increase in number of schools, and the construction of Nevada Southern University (later University of Nevada, Las Vegas). Lastly, Schouten shares his thoughts on how Las Vegas lost its sense of community, and discusses the increase of crime in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection