The Baton Rouge, Louisiana Family Diary (1848-1860) is a single item that contains personal accounts, diary entries, as well as handwritten and newspaper recipes, in different hands, by approximately three individuals. The first diary section begins in 1848 and mostly contains personal religious reflections and meditations on church sermons and activities. The second set of diary entries cover the years 1858 through 1860 and concerns farming, crops, and general accounts. The farm was located in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area and its primary crops were cotton, sugar cane, and corn. The third section of diary entries contain pages of handwritten recipes and some clipped from a local Baton Rouge newspaper. All the diarists are unidentified, but it was likely kept within a single family.
Oral history interview with Maria Banks conducted by Barbara Hoyt on September 23, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Banks discusses her experiences managing a jukebox company, owning and operating two restaurants, and working for a music company. She also discusses her Mormon religion and the relationship she had with her late husband. Banks also discusses the change in climate over time, specifically the increasing humidity.
Oral history interview with William Brymer conducted by Rob Mullaney on March 09, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brymer explains how he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada for the gaming attractions and eventually married and had two children. Brymer talks about working as a craps dealer at the Frontier Club in Downtown Las Vegas, the Last Frontier on the Las Vegas Strip, and later a pit boss at the Sahara. Brymer also discusses a visit by Lyndon B. Johnson, the early atomic testing, the importance of religion in his life, changes in climate, the development of the Strip, the existence and decline of agriculture, and some of the entertainers who performed on the Strip.
Oral history interview with Carey Burke conducted by Terri Goodsell on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Burke talks about his schooling at St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Rancho High School. Burke also talks about the recreational activities he took part in during schooling, such as going to Lake Mead and joining a YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) camp. Burke then describes the Helldorado customs and his hobby of collecting gaming memorabilia.
Oral history interview with Sigrid Capel conducted by Michael McKenna on February 10, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Sigrid Capel (b. 1915 in Ely, Nevada) discusses growing up in Southern Nevada and serving in several civil service positions. She begins by talking about her experiences of growing up in Ely, Nevada and then describes going to business school in San Diego before returning to work as a secretary for the Agricultural Extension Service. Capel goes on to describe her experiences working for the Nevada Gaming Control Board and eventually becoming assistant city clerk for Las Vegas, the jury commissioner for the county clerk, and executive secretary for the Clark County Board of County Commissioners.
Oral history interview with Sandy Daly conducted by Bud Stephen on June 20, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project. Daly moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947 and she describes her educational experiences and how the gaming industry related to her upbringing. Stephen also asks questions relating to politics, religion, social club membership, theater, recreational activities for children and adults, atomic testing, tourism, local sports, television, prostitution, social class, and the development of the Strip. Interview includes audio recording (analog, digital) and transcript (digital).
Oral history interview with J.W. (John) Campbell (born June 13, 1918 in Pioche, Nevada) conducted by Raymond Haft on February 19, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the history of Nevada, including Mr. Campbell’s personal history. He discusses the Stewart Ranch, the Mormon Fort, swimming pools in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the above ground atomic tests. He also discusses the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane and the building of the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Albert Datke conducted by Joe Toscano on Octocber 2, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. He discusses atomic testing, economic and environmental changes, and getting to shake hands with President Eisenhower when he visited Las Vegas, Nevada. A Mormon and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mr. Datke discussed having an active church and religious life, including serving as financial clerk and historian clerk for the church.
Oral history interview with Myrtle Cheel conducted by an unknown interviewer on February 02, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, Mrs. Cheel discusses education in the Las Vegas, Nevada Valley. She also discusses social, economic and environmental changes, particularly the rapid transformation and growth of Las Vegas from a small town to a major metropolis.
Oral history interview with Marion Earl conducted by Robert Pearce on March 13, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1923, serving as a member of the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce, and then being elected president of the chamber in 1941. He also discusses being elected justice of the peace in 1934, and serving for two terms.