Oral history interview with Betty and Gus Ciliax conducted by Connie Boich on March 2, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Southern Nevada and early development of the area. During the interview, they discussed local recreation, prostitution, Block 16, and various social activities. Additionally, they discussed how the economy changed with the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam and Nellis Air Force Base.
Oral history interview with Irene Sprague Black conducted by Chari Horne on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview Black discusses early Las Vegas, Nevada, local schools, homes, friends, family life, and the Mormon Church. Black also discusses Mesquite, Nevada, Indian Reservations, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, the Hoover Dam, and Bunkerville, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Susan Fine conducted by Cecillia Boland on February 18, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fine discusses her family background and moving to Boulder City, Nevada, and then later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses the educational system, church involvement, mercury test site, Howard Hughes’ impact to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
On March 26, 1981, Matthew A. Carr interviewed Morgan Mills (b. July 27, 1914 in Grand Junction, Colorado) about his life in Boulder City, Nevada and his work at the Boulder (Hoover) Dam site. Mills speaks primarily about his time working on the dam as a mechanic with the United States Bureau of Reclamation, as a tourist guide with the Boulder City Tourist Bureau and as a musician in local bands. Moreover, Mills speaks about attending the University of Nevada, Reno and playing music there. Lastly, he talks about the Great Depression, how it affected Las Vegas and Boulder City, the development of different infrastructure and the speakeasies in Boulder City during the Prohibition era.
Captions: Catwalk across Colorado River; Auto ferry on Colorado [River] '32/Las Vegas - Kingman Ferry, Colorado River, Oakes #81; Upper entrance to diversion tunnel - Boulder Dam '32.
Oral history interview with Harrie Fox Hess conducted by Scot Siegel on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hess discusses how he felt as a young adult moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, his contributions to Nevada through his work as a psychologist, and the first law to be drafted on psychology certification in Nevada. Hess then describes the Wildcat Lair as an important site of social recreation for early Las Vegas youth. He also discusses how workers from the Great Depression paved the way for industrial success in gambling due to their employment on the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Oral history interview with Wendell Bunker on October of 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wendell Bunker (b. 1911 in St. Thomas, Nevada), discusses early Las Vegas, Nevada and the socio-economic changes that have taken place in the Valley. Bunker talks about the Boulder (Hoover) Dam and religion and education in Nevada. He also describes working for the Union Pacific Railroad and the importance of the railroad to the economic development of Las Vegas.