Dr. Tom Wright was born and grew up in Illinois. His father finished his PhD in Chicago and then taught at Illinois College in Jacksonville. His mother suffered from arthritis and was told to seek a warmer climate, so John Wright packed up his family and moved to Las Vegas. Tom was 14, ready for high school, and his two brothers were elementary school age. Tom attended Las Vegas High School, which was close to the Crestwood community where the family had purchased their first home. He remembers that UNLV had no buildings when his dad first started teaching there. Instead, he conducted class in high school classrooms and church Sunday school rooms. Dr. Wright started off at a community college as a Geology Major, but a class with Bud Poland convinced him that history was his passion. He transferred to Pomona to continue his bachelor's degree. He spent his junior year in Peru on a study-abroad program, and that experience made him a Latin Americanist. The information he gath
On March 20, 1976 Caroline Logsdon interviewed Pauline Barlow (unknown date or place of birth) about her life in Southern Nevada. Barlow first talks about her move to Las Vegas at a young age, her church membership, and her membership in social clubs. She also talks about gambling, the atomic testing, and the changes she has seen over time in Las Vegas. On April 7, 1976, Logsdon also interviewed Katie Ford (born 1929 in Ely Nevada) about her life in Southern Nevada. Ford talks about her early life and education in Nevada in Beatty, Nevada, her work with her family-owned gas station and hotel, and some of the early buildings in Beatty. She also discusses early recreational activities, the atomic testing, economic and environmental changes, improvement in technology, and social changes.
On May 23, 1983, collector Elizabeth N. Patrick interviewed gaming professional John Grayson (born May 25, 1898 in Grayson, Missouri) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The interview covers John Grayson’s experience with gaming in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Also present during John Grayson’s interview is Billy H. Gray, a longtime gaming associate of his, who helps Mr. Grayson go into greater detail about key events.
On March 11, 1978, Roberta Farmer interviewed Sally Halko (born 1921 in Gowen, Oklahoma) about her life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Halko first talks about her family background, education, traveling, and church membership. She later talks about the development Las Vegas casinos, racial minorities, housing growth, Lake Mead, and the first theaters.
From the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas, OH-00822. On March 10, 1981, Joseph L. Erb interviewed Ruth E. Hazard (born June 25th, 1907 in Marshall, Michigan) in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the time of the interview, Ruth had lived in Nevada for over forty years. Ruth discusses living and working in Las Vegas and Carson City, Nevada. She also covers various subjects including: the atomic tests and the growth of the hotel industry.
From the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas collection OH-00897. On February 27, 1977, collector Michael K. Ericksen interviewed his uncle, schoolteacher, Jack E. Howard, (born June 18th, 1920 in Dewey, Oklahoma) in his home in Overton, Nevada. This interview covers Mr. Howard’s personal experiences and recollections about Southern Nevada. Mr. Howard’s wife, Mrs. Helen Howard, is also present during this interview, which offers a thirty year local overview.
On February 21, 1979, Dan Buress interviewed Bernice Johnson (born September 13, 1919 in Los Angeles, California) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two discuss Mrs. Johnson’s personal history and her reasons for moving to Las Vegas. Johnson describes moving between Southern California and Las Vegas while her husband worked for the railroad company. The interview concludes with Johnson recalling her memories of the Von Tobel family and the rapid population growth in Las Vegas after the construction of the Nevada Test Site.
On February 28th, 1979, collector Richard Probst interviewed Louise Kirkwood (born December 13th, 1925 in Kemmerer, Wyoming) at her residence in North Las Vegas, Nevada. In the interview, Mrs. Kirkwood discusses moving to Nevada and raising her family. She also discusses recreation in Nevada and her involvement in church activities.
On March 16, 1978, Susan Vogel interviewed Helen Cecil (born November 4, 1916 in Silver City, Utah) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. She relocated to Las Vegas with her parents for health reasons. This interview covers family life, education, employment and the growth and development of Las Vegas. Helen attended Las Vegas High School and then went on to work at the Las Vegas High School for many years, an accomplishment that she is extremely proud of. During the interview she also mentions the Boulder Dam, the Old Ranch, and the Westside.
From the Roosevelt Fitzgerald Professional Papers (MS-01082) -- Unpublished manuscripts file. Presented to the National Social Science Association, Reno, Nevada.