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Gary Pratt oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01507

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gary Pratt conducted by Ron Reda on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pratt discusses the growth of early Southern Nevada. He talks about population growth, economic changes, and crime in early Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Thalia Dondero oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00478

Abstract

Oral history interview with Thalia Dondero conducted by Claytee D. White on 2014 March 6 and April 2 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In her interview Dondero discusses community organizing in early Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s. Dondero also talks about her time in the state legislature.

Archival Collection

Transcript of interview with Dr. Harold Boyer by Claytee D. White, November 15, 2000

Date

2000-11-15

Description

Dr. Harold Boyer recalled with great clarity his childhood in Arkansas. Born in 1916 in Hartman, he attended a two-story school which went to eighth grade, fished in a nearby stream, and earned money from the age of six selling newspapers. He remembered that his father wore many hats, including that of town physician, president of the school board, and mayor. He also operated the movie theater and would drive around town announcing upcoming film features through a megaphone. Harold gave details of living through the Great Depression and completing his high school and college education. Dr. Boyer recited many details of his life in the Marine Corps as a medic, serving on active duty in the Pacific arena in WWII, going into medical practice in Oklahoma City and Enid, Oklahoma, and being called back to serve in Korea. In 1952, while checking out practices in several Southwest locations, he came to Las Vegas and interviewed with Dr. Carver Coffman. Harold painted a picture of Las Vegas in the sixties and described his practice and the many organizations in which he participated. He described how certain entities contributed significantly to the growth in the Vegas Valley, including the Convention Bureau, the Elks Club, Rotary Club, Shriners, the Mormon Church, the Mesquite Club, the university, and the gaming industry. He also gave a very positive view of the cultural activities that were/are available to the people of Las Vegas. Comments by Dr. Boyer on race relations recalled the sixties when integration in area schools, hotels, and neighborhoods became a reality under strong black leadership. He also talked about the relationship between casino operators and the civic organizations previously mentioned, and included an anecdote concerning one of his patients and A1 Capone. Helldorado, a unique community celebration, began in 1937 and was designed to draw positive attention to Las Vegas and pull people together. Dr. Boyer described the parades, dances, games, and barbecues that made it so much fun, and listed the founders who made it possible. This list includes people like the Von Tobels, Bob Squires, Bill Ferret, and the Ronzoni family. He related that Helldorado gradually faded out as corporations took over the gaming industry and the population grew to hundreds of thousands. Howard Hughes, the Greenbaums, and Bugsy Siegel are some of the people Dr. Boyer recalled as part of the fabulous tapestry that makes Las Vegas special. He talked about those who had a positive influence on the town, like Ed Von Tobel, Jess Abbott, and Jackie Gaughan. He has wonderful ideas for creating a park near the downtown area that would rival Central Park in New York, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, or Audubon Park in New Orleans. His closing comments reflect on special projects conducted by the Rotary Club and the future of Las Vegas as an international air travel transportation hub.

Text

Robert H. Barrett oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00165

Abstract

Oral history interview with Robert H. Barrett conducted by Robert B. Grzywacz on February 22, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Barrett discusses the history of early Las Vegas, Nevada in terms of prostitution, education, Carole Lombard's plane crash, and atomic testing at Yucca Flats, Nevada.

Archival Collection

John Cahlan oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00150

Abstract

Oral history interview with John Cahlan conducted by Gordon R. Brusso on March 30, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cahlan talks about early Las Vegas, Nevada entertainment.

Archival Collection

Henry Wieking oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01973

Abstract

Oral history interview with Henry Wieking conducted by Anna Dean Kepper on August 20, 1975 and August 21, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wieking discusses the Old Mormon Fort and a recollection of early Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

W.E. Butch Leypoldt oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01115

Abstract

Oral history interview with W.E. Butch Leypoldt conducted by Bruce Davidson on April 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Leypoldt describes life in early Las Vegas, Nevada after arriving in 1938. Leypoldt also briefly discusses being drafted in World War II and the city's reaction to the war.

Archival Collection

Daniel Leroy Lewis oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01110

Abstract

Oral history interview with Daniel Leroy Lewis conducted by his son, Dan Lewis, on February 27, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Daniel Leroy Lewis discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in May of 1953. Daniel Leroy Lewis describes life in early Las Vegas, Nevada as well as its history.

Archival Collection

Ruth E. Hazard oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00823

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ruth Hazard conducted by Jeff Crampton on March 27, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hazard offers an overview of life in early Las Vegas, Nevada from 1931 to 1977 including atomic testing.

Archival Collection

Harold R. Hunter oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00912

Abstract

Oral history interview with Harold R. Hunter conducted by Philip John Mile on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hunter discusses his different experiences working in early Las Vegas, Nevada restaurants during the 1930s and 1940s. Hunter also discusses the rapid growth of the Mormon community during this time.

Archival Collection