Oral history interview with Norman Ty Hilbrecht conducted by Claytee D. White on August 29, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Hilbrecht begins by describing his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s, popular locations in the city such as the Huntridge Theater, and his service in the United States Army. Hilbrecht explains how he became a lawyer with an independent practice after returning to Las Vegas from the Army in the 1950s. He also expands upon how he became a state assemblyman and state senator and describing his experiences during his political career. Throughout the interview, Hilbrecht expands upon different aspects of life in Las Vegas, including local events such as the Helldorado parade, the transition to corporate controlled casinos from private ownership, and race relations in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vivian "Viv" Frehner conducted by Gregg Carter on July 20, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Frehner talks about his upbringing in St. Thomas, Nevada, his marriage, his early work as a sheriff's deputy, a rancher, farmer, and road maintenance worker. He recalls going to the movies for twenty cents as a child, catching wild horses to ride in rodeos as a teenager, and the heat of Las Vegas, Nevada summers after he moved there for work as a young man for work. He remembers seeing dozens of artisan wells in Las Vegas well into the 1940s, the opening of Flamingo Hotel and Casino, the death of actress Carole Lombard in a 1941 plane crash outside Las Vegas, and the 1950s above-ground nuclear testing by the U. S. government.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donna and Gail Andress conducted by Karen Schank on April 13, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Donna and Gail Andress talk about their early lives and how they each came to live in North Las Vegas (Donna moved with her family from Los Angeles and Gail with his family from Arizona). They discuss city life in the 1930s, places they spent their time as children, their education, and how they met in high school. Donna and Gail recall their marriage and early years as a married couple living apart while Gail served in the Navy as a turret gunner. The couple discuss businesses that operated in the area and shared stories of raising their children in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Luella Wardle conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on August 04, 1981 and August 05, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wardle discusses living in Tonopah, Nevada since 1907 and describes the living conditions at the time. Wardle also discusses education and the school system, recreational activities, and her employment in banking. She then describes Tonopah during World War II and explains how the army base was beneficial for businesses. Wardle goes on to explain where the families of the soldiers would stay while stationed in Tonopah. Lastly, Wardle discusses organizations she was a member of, the significance of fraternal organizations to Southern Nevada, and Tonopah during prohibition.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph E. Sullivan conducted by Heather Comer on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sullivan discusses his personal history growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada after moving there from Denver, Colorado in 1928. Sullivan describes the history of Las Vegas and some of its particular aspects, including the Helldorado Festival and how snakes were driven out of the Lake Mead area to create the lake. He also describes working in one of the first Las Vegas clubs and his latest career owning a slot machine company. Sullivan goes on to discuss the development of McCarran International Airport, how Las Vegas has changed, and the future of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Ellen Schwartz and Jane Fleming conducted by Marta Planzo on December 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The sisters begin by discussing their family's ownership of mines near Goodsprings, Nevada and what metals were found in those mines. They describe life in Goodsprings and more of their family history, such as their uncles who moved to Henderson, Nevada to work for Basic Magnesium. The two continue, discussing the other families in Goodsprings and how the town has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George and Theona (Toni) Garner conducted by Rod Leavitt on March 25, 1987 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, George Garner discusses his father, who was a Boulder (Hoover) Dam worker and was one of the first homesteaders in the Ash Meadows area in southern Nye County, Nevada. George also describes the Ash Meadows Lodge, which was intended to be a dude ranch by Las Vegas, Nevada promoters. Lastly, George Garner briefly discusses his early life and education in Las Vegas, Nevada. Toni Garner briefly discusses her early life in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Faye Rhea Porter conducted by Barbara Tabach on June 13, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Porter discusses her father's employment at the Nevada Test Site. Porter talks about her father being unable to describe the type of work he did with family or friends and tells anecdotes about the secrecy of the test site. She then recalls her sister and her employment at the Nevada Test Site until an accident on the way to the site resulted in her death.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Terry Cavaretta St. Jules and Rejean St. Jules conducted by Claytee D. White on May 02, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Terry discusses her upbringing and early interest in trapeze performance. She remembers performing with her siblings, touring with her family, and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. Terry talks about performing at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino and Las Vegas production shows at the time. Later, Rejean recalls arriving to Las Vegas in 1982 as an acrobat and juggler. He describes performing in the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gerald Connor conducted by James Bonnell on February 22, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Connor first discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and serving as a pilot in the United States Air Force. He then discusses his education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and his church membership. Topics that Connor discusses during the interview also include changes in the school district and properties located in Downtown Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Strip, his political activity within the Democratic Party, the Helldorado Parades, and the early atomic tests at the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection