Oral history interview with Jack Ruggles Sr. conducted by Donald Parker on March 15, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ruggles describes moving to early Boulder City, Nevada in 1931 as a child due to his step-father's supervisory job at the Hoover (Boulder) Dam. Ruggles describes life in Boulder City and later becoming a construction worker and helping to build the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada. Ruggles goes on to discuss his career and experiences as a police officer in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the discussion of his career as a police officer, Ruggles describes his participation in maintaining racial segregation in casino properties for casino owners.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosemary Cleman (Conner) conducted by Beatrice Owens (Gillard) on March 8, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Conner discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to become a teacher for emotionally disturbed children and assisting with the creation of the Nevada Girls Training Center. Conner also discusses the segregation of the African American community. The interview concludes with Conner discussing the reemergence of mining communities in Nevada and her close interaction with Nevada governors during her career in social services.
Archival Collection
The Ferron and Bracken Photograph Collection depicts Southern and Central Nevada and other western states from 1890 to 1961. The photographs primarily depict the development and growth of early Las Vegas, Nevada; mines and mining operations in Southern and Central Nevada; towns and mines in Nevada; and the Hoover (Boulder) Dam and the Colorado River.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jacqueline MacFarlane conducted by Claytee D. White on February 04, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Jacqueline MacFarlane discusses her early childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada, her move to rural Nevada because of the Great Depression, her move back to Las Vegas, and meeting her husband David MacFarlane, an Air Force Cadet, at the Nellis Air force Base. She then discusses family life, Las Vegas in the 1950s and 1960s, and the various jobs she held on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
The Crockett Family Photographs (approximately 1940-2008) are comprised of aerial photographs of Alamo Airport (later Harry Reid International Airport) and the surrounding Las Vegas Valley in the 1940s and 1950s. Photographs of the interior, exterior, and airfield at Alamo Airport document the early stages of what is now one of the busiest international airports in the United States. The collection also contains audiovisual material, which depict events including the Miss Rodeo America pageant and the Sahara Cup boat races on Lake Mead, and locations including Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada and Hoover Dam. A significant portion of the collection consists of photographs of the Crockett family at various events, on family vacations, and their home in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
The Virginia Logan Photograph Collection contains photographic prints, negatives, and slides primarily depicting Nevada between approximately 1900 and 1940 with a focus on Las Vegas and its local landscapes. These photographs were taken by Glenn Davis.
Archival Collection
The Ralph Roske Photographs (approximately 1917-1989) depict life in rural Southern Nevada and newspaper clippings from the Goodsprings Gazette. The collection consists of thirty-five images dated from 1917 to 1989. The images consist of unidentified Nevadans, Las Vegas landmarks, and members of the McAllister family in Carraca, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lee Murialdo conducted by Kim Burco on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Murialdo discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada as it pertains to casinos and city growth. Murialdo describes the initial founding of the city and origins of the name "Las Vegas," entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip, and the different games available to play in casinos. Murialdo also describes the construction of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, as well as the construction of the Hoover (Boulder) Dam. Murialdo goes on to discuss her novel and why she decided to move to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise Riley conducted by Bryan Neel on March 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Riley discusses her life after moving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1946, and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Riley describes dates with her husband on the Las Vegas Strip, which included visiting clubs or watching Liberace perform. Riley also discusses her husband's job as an accountant at the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, as well as briefly discussing her experiences viewing nuclear weapons tests.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nellie Bunch conducted by Robin Ducharme on November 20, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bunch first talks about her settlement into the Whitney Ranch area of Henderson, Nevada, and her knowledge about the building of Hoover (Boulder) Dam. She also talks about the early utilization of water resources from Lake Mead, early sources of power, and the early use of evaporative coolers. Bunch also speaks about her experience as a postmaster and later discusses telephone technology and the early churches of Las Vegas, Nevada. Digital audio and transcript available.
Archival Collection