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 James "Sailor" Ryan conducted by Perry Kaufman in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ryan discusses moving to Nevada from Montana in 1935. Ryan describes his career as a construction laborer for the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) as well as later positions in construction. Ryan also details his involvement in politics and his position in the Nevada Assembly. Lastly, Ryan discusses gambling and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada.
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
Oral history interview with Melvin Eugene Serviss conducted by Juan Ortiz on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Serviss discusses his personal history in Missouri and Las Vegas, Nevada. Serviss describes going to clubs and meeting celebrities who were in Missouri for the filming of the movie
Archival Collection
The Morgan Sweeney Photograph Collection (approximately 1922-1969) consists of black-and-white photographic prints of Boulder City, Nevada, and Lake Mead and Hoover Dam areas, located on the border between Arizona and Nevada. The images depict the interior, exterior, and construction stages of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). There is also an aerial photograph of Boulder City, Nevada.
Archival Collection
The Tom Mead Photograph consists of a black-and-white photographic print from 1928. The image depicts members present for the Presidential signing of the Boulder Canyon Project Act on December 21, 1928, including Elwood Mead, Calvin Coolidge, and Hiram W. Johnson.
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 Goldie Spicer conducted by Elmer Herren on February 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Spicer discusses working as a cocktail waitress. She also talks about the boom that Las Vegas, Nevada went through when the first casinos were being built, and when the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam occurred. She discusses El Rancho, Twin Lakes, and the Taylor Ranch.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vernon G. Stockall conducted by Aurora Wright on March 07, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stockall discusses arriving in Boulder City, Nevada in 1935 and describes how the Great Depression caused people to migrate westward. He then recalls working as a pipe fitter at the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and explains the type of work that he did. Lastly, Stockall discusses the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada as the population increased.
Archival Collection