Oral history interview with Mary Jo Sheehan conducted by Claytee White on July 14, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Sheehan shares detailed memories of her family's early history. She recalls the family's move to Henderson, Nevada in 1945, her first job at Nellis Air Force Base, and their home in Victory Village. Sheehan discusses events such as the PEPCON (Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada) explosion in 1988, and the renovation of downtown Henderson that began in the 1990s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald Fabbi conducted by Claytee D. White on October 24, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Fabbi discusses his family background in Tonapah, Nevada and Silver Peak, Nevada. He talks about his family’s move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and his employment at the Nevada Power Company. Fabbi recalls the Helldorado parade, the Moulin Rouge casino, and the volunteering he has done around the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lisha and Tyrone Love conducted by Claytee D. White on November 16, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Lisha talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965 and growing up in the Westside. She remembers the Moulin Rouge, churches in the Westside, and becoming a debutante with Les Femmes Douz. Tyrone describes businesses on the Westside during the late 1970s, and becoming a card dealer. Lastly, Lisha and Tyrone discuss the redevelopment of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bill Lamb conducted by Roger Barnhart on June 29, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lamb was born in August 22, 1943 in Henderson, Nevada. In the interview, he talks about his experiences moving around Northern Nevada due to his father's mining job. Lamb also discusses his education, family, military service, work in Las Vegas, Nevada casinos, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lester Adams (b. 1918) conducted by Caroline Fitzpatrick on March 14, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. A native Nevadan, Adams discusses his personal family history, World War II, and the Adams Feed Company of which he is the owner. Adam also discusses the early above ground atomic tests and the local economy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fred Anderson conducted by Cortez Corley on April 22, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Anderson discusses his history of living in Ely, Nevada. Anderson primarily discusses his experiences as a miner working for the Kennecott Copper Corporation. He also mentions his experiences with unions, atomic testing, and the growth of Nevada in general.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Bearce conducted by Guy Pence on September 29, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bearce discusses some of the social and developmental changes, including the recreational activities involving swimming, going to theaters, watching stock car races, and attending Helldorado events. She also discusses some of the development of Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gordon Christie conducted by Larry DuRussel on June 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Christie discusses working on the building of the MGM Grand Hotel, Fremont Hotel, Sahara Hotel, Desert Inn Hotel, and the Frontier Hotel. He also discusses religion, politics, family life in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the growth of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elsie Whipple conducted by Hugo A. Cascos Jr. on March 22, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Whipple discusses Southern Nevada history and recalls the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Whipple also recalls the first hotels and casinos to open on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, and her work as a missionary with the Mormon Church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Judy and Anthony Purcell conducted by their daughter, Trina Purcell, on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Judy and Anthony Purcell describe how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed and grown since moving there in 1959. Main topics of discussion include shows and entertainment, safety in Las Vegas, and the couple's life.
Archival Collection