Oral history interview with Betty Kramer conducted by Kathy Wheat on March 02, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kramer talks about the development of Henderson, Nevada and shares the significance of the Basic Magnesium Inc. (BMI) to the Las Vegas, Nevada community. Kramer also talks about the societal change in Las Vegas, Nevada when gambling became legal, and the growth of the city at large.
Oral history interview with Raymond Ellsworth Sutton conducted by Ronnie A. Peters on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sutton discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1941 and recalls the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant and hundreds of homes built in Henderson, Nevada. Sutton then describes his work as an attorney, the Nevada education system, and recalls his experiences as a student at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Oral history interview with Elmer Hilsinger conducted by Irene Rostine on October 02, 1991 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN). In his interview, Hilsinger discusses working conditions at Basic Magnesium Incorporated plant in Henderson, Nevada during World War II. Hilsinger describes the contributions of women employees, safety rules at the plant, and labor unions. He also discusses daily life in the township of Henderson at the time.
Oral history interview with Jacquita Davis, Sandra Sager, Ilene Bittle, Dorothy Swackhamer conducted by Claytee D. White on January 19, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Davis, Sager, Bittle, and Swackhamer discuss their early lives and membership in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. They talk about the organizations philanthropy work, assisting the homeless, and funding for the sorority. The group describes the changing roles of women since the 1940s, and the sorority’s involvement in Henderson, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Bill Lamb conducted by Roger Barnhart on June 29, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lamb was born in August 22, 1943 in Henderson, Nevada. In the interview, he talks about his experiences moving around Northern Nevada due to his father's mining job. Lamb also discusses his education, family, military service, work in Las Vegas, Nevada casinos, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Oral history interview with Jennilee Thayer conducted by Claytee D. White on August 12, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thayer discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 when it was still a mining town. She describes early Henderson, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and recalls her father’s employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant. Lastly, Thayer discusses her employment in show production, atomic bomb testing, and changes in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Mary Jo Sheehan conducted by Claytee White on July 14, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Sheehan shares detailed memories of her family's early history. She recalls the family's move to Henderson, Nevada in 1945, her first job at Nellis Air Force Base, and their home in Victory Village. Sheehan discusses events such as the PEPCON (Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada) explosion in 1988, and the renovation of downtown Henderson that began in the 1990s.
Oral history interview with Norman A. Craft conducted by Claytee D. White on August 06, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Craft discusses Henderson, Nevada in the 1940s, Victory Village, and Townsite housing and schooling. He then describes teaching at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls the application of the Title IX ruling on education. Lastly, Craft discusses race relations at Rancho High School, school riots, and the passing of the Civil Rights Act.
Oral history interview with Peter La Porta conducted by William Davy Weller Sr. February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, La Porta discusses his birth at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nevada and his office, the La Porta Insurance Agency in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about his early memories of Henderson, gambling, celebrities in Las Vegas, and his religious preferences.
Oral history interview with William Star conducted by Tony Morneau on September 15, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Star discusses moving from Brooklyn, New York to Henderson, Nevada in 1955. In 1959, Star moved from Henderson to Las Vegas, Nevada to run a family-owned pawn shop. Star goes into detail about atomic bomb testing, the growth of Las Vegas, and gambling.