Oral history interview with Lubertha Johnson conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johnson discusses segregation in businesses and throughout Las Vegas, Nevada. Johnson then recalls her involvement with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1940 and serving as president in the years 1953 and 1954.
Oral history interview with Leonard R. Fayle conducted by Jennifer Sealey on February 21, 1980 and March 06, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fayle discusses his family history and life in Gene, Goodspring, and Sandy Valley, Nevada. He also discusses his involvement in organizations, early mining, religion, and prostitution.
Oral history interview with George E. Franklin conducted by Linda Arnone on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Franklin discusses his personal history and his family background in Nevada dating back to 1862. Franklin discusses his role in Nevada politics, including his role as County Commissioner and Chairman.
Oral history interview with Janet Garry conducted by Elyse Rozinsky on February 24, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1952 to 1979. Garry recalls the early years of the television and the telephone. She also discusses her own personal experience of raising a family in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Laura and Don Garvin conducted by Michael Martocci on March 03, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The Garvins provide details on their family background, the first sources of water in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the early city limits. They also describe their early occupations, religion, gambling, the Mormon Fort, and the effects of the Great Depression.
Oral history interview with Otha Bolden conducted by an unknown interviewer on July 05, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bolden discusses social and environmental changes that have taken place in Nevada over the span of twenty years. Her husband, Mr. Bolden also weighs in on the discussion, adding his personal accountant of the storm of 1964, and his views on integration and employment in Nevada.
Oral history interview with Elbert Edwards conducted by Roger Armstrong on June 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Edwards discusses his life in Panaca and Lincoln County, Nevada. He also talks about Native Americans, Mormonism, and Meadow Valley, Nevada. He discusses the Bennett-Arcan Party, a Death Valley party involved with the 1840s’ gold rushes, and its members.
Oral history interview with Dan Larkin conducted by Wallace Brown in 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Larkin retells his memories of President Johnson visiting Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as different recreational activities that he participated in during the 1950s. The interview concludes with Larkin explaining how Las Vegas, Nevada has remained a tourism-centric town through the years.
Oral history interview with H. Joy Razy conducted by Andrew Gordon on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Razy discusses the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam as well as the changes in city infrastructure such as water supply and roads. Lastly, Razy discusses the divorce and gambling industries of Las Vegas, Nevada.
On March 19, 1978, Russell L. Ellis interviewed former postal worker, Ray Christian (born 1927 in Las Vegas, Nevada). The two discuss Ray’s family history and his experiences as a Black man in early Las Vegas. Ray Christian compares the experiences of his childhood with that of his children in Las Vegas. The interview concludes with Christian expressing how Las Vegas has grown and that there are more opportunities available for his children to pursue.