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
Oral history interview with Lucile Bunker conducted by herself on March 10, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bunker recalls her early experiences and various jobs in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also describes her experiences as the wife of former Senator Berkeley Bunker and living in Washington, D.C.. Bunker then discusses her missionary work, the early above-ground atomic testing, and the building of Hoover Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wendell Bunker on October of 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wendell Bunker (b. 1911 in St. Thomas, Nevada), discusses early Las Vegas, Nevada and the socio-economic changes that have taken place in the Valley. Bunker talks about the Boulder (Hoover) Dam and religion and education in Nevada. He also describes working for the Union Pacific Railroad and the importance of the railroad to the economic development of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pearl Busch (born 1936 in Winona, Minnesota) conducted by Laura Busch on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pearl first describes her original move to Southern Nevada and a wide range of topics including the first hotels on the Strip, the growth and expansion of the city, recreational activities such as skiing, and her family. She also discusses gambling and its impact on the city, the clubs and organizations to which she belonged, and her appreciation for the mild Las Vegas climate. The interview finalizes with her thoughts on the biggest excitement Las Vegas offers, her input on the high crime rate in Las Vegas, and her thoughts on the energy crisis and the future of solar energy in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ralph Daly conducted by Charles Malkowshi on Febuary 25, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ralph Daly (born in Texas in 1903) discusses his experience of moving to Las Vegas, Nevada during its early growth. Daly talks specifically about Block 16 and the Arizona Club and the extent of gambling and prostitution that took place there in the early 1900s. Daly also talks about moving to Las Vegas to make his living on gambling, how the construction of Hoover (Boulder) Dam attracted many migrant workers, and how, after World War II, Las Vegas attracted tourists and became more of a gambling town as more casinos were built.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Walter Dane conducted by Ann K. Clark on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dane discusses relocating to Indian Springs in 1930 before settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943, then moving to Utah in 1968. Dane also covers the growth and development of the Las Vegas and Indian Springs areas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Caldwell conducted by Melvin Thompson on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview begins with Caldwell discussing his family and what brought him to Las Vegas, Nevada. He then discusses him working at the Nevada Test Site. Other topics discussed include the hotels and casinos that were built on the Strip, his experience working at some of those properties, and the way of life in Las Vegas in the 1940s and 1950s. The interview finalizes with Caldwell’s account of the Westside of Las Vegas and African American entertainers who came to town to perform.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vernon S. Caples conducted by Cheryl Caples on February 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vernon S. Caples (born August 7th, 1891 in St. Johns, Oregon) discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Vernon describes what Las Vegas was like in the early days, from the Red Light District to the Nellis Air Force Base. He also mentions the implementation of a government program that was set in place to aid senior citizens living in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Carlson conducted by Allen Carlson on October 11, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Joe Carlson talks about how his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1921 so that his father could work on the railroad. Joe discusses education, occupations, family life, and the social, economic and environmental changes of early Las Vegas. Joe also mentions presidential visits, the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane, early atomic tests, the old Mesquite forests, Fremont Street and the building of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Chet Carrigan conducted by Robert Kahre on February 17, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Carrigan first talks about his background in construction as well as some of his experiences in the Sheriff’s Posse before describing the major events and changes of Las Vegas, Nevada that he witnessed. Carrigan also talks about his family, the effects of the Great Depression on the city, the flooding problem, and the building of Hoover Dam. He also describes the first schools in Las Vegas, means of transportation, his laundry business, his experience on the volunteer fire department, the first movie theaters, and Cashman Field.
Archival Collection