Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

Search Results

Display    Results Per Page
Displaying results 1731 - 1740 of 2520

Theda Grinnell oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00746

Abstract

Oral history interview with Theda Grinnell conducted by Fletcher Corey on February 28, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grinnell first talks about her move to Nevada and both her and her husband’s employment at the Nevada Test Site. She also talks about the atomic testing blasts, the United States' competition with Russia on nuclear technology, and her employment history. Grinnell later discusses her church membership and goes into detail about the race riots and how they involved and impacted her family. She ends the interview with a discussion of flash floods, the Culinary Workers Union, how World War II affected industry in Las Vegas industry, and the social changes in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Julie McDonald interview, March 14, 1981: transcript

Date

1981-03-14

Description

On March 14, 1981, Michael Richardson interviewed Julie McDonald (b. 1945 in Torrance, California) about her childhood and life in Las Vegas, Nevada. McDonald shares her first impressions of Las Vegas, her schooling and the location of residential areas. Throughout the interview, McDonald also goes into detail concerning her occupations at the Guild Theatre, her secretarial work at Nellis Air Force Base, her singing career and being a “21” dealer. McDonald discusses the changes in the gaming industry, particularly the incorporation of women dealers, the use of the silver dollar and the requirements for dealers. McDonald ends by discussing housing, major happenings within Las Vegas, recreation as a kid and mass media in early Las Vegas.

Text

Gue Gim Wah oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-01890

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Gue Gim Wah conducted by Elizabeth N. Patrick on September 23, 1981 and September 24, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wah discusses her life as a Chinese immigrant, her husband's life, and running the dining operations at the Prince Mine near Pioche, Nevada. Wah describes arriving in the United States as a child and the difficult immigration process she faced. She discusses her marriage to her husband, Tom Wah, and his life working for the railroads and as a miner before running a boarding house and restaurant for those working in the Prince Mine. Wah later talks about her experiences running the boarding house after the death of her husband in the early 1930s. Throughout the interview, Wah describes different aspects of Chinese culture and what life was like living in a Nevada mining town during the early twentieth century.

Archival Collection

John J. Weeteling oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01935

Abstract

Oral history interview with John J. Weeteling conducted by his son, Terry Weeteling, on April 07, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Weeteling describes moving to Tonopah, Nevada in 1942 while enlisted in the United States Air Force and life in the town. He talks about moving to Ely, Nevada in 1945 and working there as a truck driver, how Ely has grown and changed, and opening a paint and body shop in Hawthorne, Nevada. Weeteling continues, explaining why he moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1947, joining the fire department on the Basic Magnesium Plant compound, and describes life in Henderson. He then describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951, Fremont Street during the 1950s, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Weeteling concludes by discussing local politicians, his recreational activities, ghost towns in Nevada, and nuclear weapons testing.

Archival Collection

Nanyu Tomiyasu oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01835

Abstract

Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Mark French on April 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tomiyasu begins by discussing his father's immigration from Japan to North America in 1898, and his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1916. He talks about his father's work in agriculture and the types of crops grown in Las Vegas during the early twentieth century. Tomiyasu also discusses his own upbringing in Las Vegas, how the city has changed and grown, and his education. Tomiyasu describes the Native Americans of Southern Nevada, the environmental changes caused by the construction of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), and his experiences as a Japanese American in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Elaine and Robert Gallagher oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00645

Abstract

Oral history interview with Elaine and Robert Gallagher conducted by Rod Leavitt on an unknown date in 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, the Gallaghers discuss moving to Southern Nevada with their families. Robert describes his father’s employment at Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), and Elaine recalls the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada. They describe above-ground atomic bomb testing, entertainment in Las Vegas, Nevada, and social life. Lastly, the two recall population growth in Las Vegas and the increase of casinos along the Strip.

Archival Collection

Linda Faiss, Helen Foley, and Melissa Warren oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03447

Abstract

Oral history interview with Linda Faiss, Helen Foley, and Melissa Warren conducted by Claytee D. White on June 28, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.

Linda, Helen, and Melissa are founders and managing partners of Faiss Foley and Warren Public Relations and Government Affairs Agency, started in 1998. The women talk about how they met and started their agency, as well as who their first clients were and how they became involved in larger Las Vegas publicity projects. They also discuss their personal lives and their respective interests within their firm.

Subjects discussed include: Summerlin, Las Vegas; Pardee; Symphony Park; Downtown Redevelopment

Archival Collection

F. Lorin Ronnow oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01592

Abstract

Oral history interview with F. Lorin Ronnow conducted by Mindy Braver on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ronnow discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada after being hired by the Union Pacific Railroad to play for their baseball team in 1928. Ronnow discusses being a hoisting engineer during the construction of the Hoover Dam, the economic benefit of the dam during the Great Depression, and his own business ventures in Las Vegas. Ronnow describes his career in banking, how Las Vegas has changed, and prominent celebrities coming to Nevada to divorce. Ronnow also discusses occupational discrimination against African Americans and women.

Archival Collection

Charlotte Ellsworth oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00534

Abstract

Oral history interview with Charlotte Ellsworth conducted by Jane Ellsworth Olive on March 22, 1977, December 26, 1980, December 28, 1981, and August 06, 1987 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the span of four interviews, Ellsworth discusses her family’s history, the growth of Henderson, Nevada, working at the Basic Magnesium Plant, and life during World War II. She also talks about war bond drives, the Oakey Theaters, Nevada Chamber of Commerce, "western" clothes, and hotels like the Flamingo Hotel and the Riviera Hotel. She then describes visiting places like Canada, Salt Lake City, Utah, Washington, D. C., and San Francisco, California.

Archival Collection

James A. "Jimmy" Gay oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00665

Abstract

Oral history interview with James A. Gay III (Jimmy Gay) conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 12, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gay discusses becoming the first African-American mortician in Las Vegas, Nevada and his work improving race relations, social, economic, and civic issues.

Archival Collection