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 Richard "Dick" Richards conducted by his son, Rick Richards, on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Richards describes his own personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Most notably, Richards describes his time working as a dealer in casinos owned by the mob and his interactions with individuals involved with organized crime.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Douglas Reynolds conducted by Dr. David Emerson on June 16, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Reynolds discusses joining the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ engineering faculty in 1983 and writing a report that led to the founding of the engineering college. He also talks about the report’s accreditation with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosenda Gomez conducted by Stefani Evans on July 24, 2024 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Gomez describes her childhood and youth in General Luna, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. She shares about her family's financial struggles, becoming pen pals and eventually marrying an older American man, moving to Texas, and having a daughter. Desparate to leave an abusive marriage, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993 and worked at the El Cortez making change. After working in a number of casinos, including Imperial Palace, Stratosphere, and Sunset Station, she returned to El Cortez in 1998. Gomez describes how she later became more involved in the Culinary Workers Union (Local 226). In this interview, Gomez describes the physical work of cocktail service; the duties of shop steward and the benefits of Union membership. She recalls San Tomas celebrations in her town and annual Philippines Independence Day celebrations at home; her favorite Filipino foods, and Spring Mountain Road as it was when she arrived in 1993. She also recalls anecdotes of Jackie Gaughan, owner of the El Cortez. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Odell Jordan conducted by Stephen Motley on March 15, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Jordan discusses his job history and the early hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada. He specifically talks about his life as a hotelman and job as a health inspector.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Virgil Barler conducted by Shirley Leavitt on November 19, 2003 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Barler discusses moving to Nevada to work at the Blue Diamond mine and moving from a house to a trailer in the Blue Diamond Village. He shares personal experiences and recollections about his various jobs at the mine, including working in the board factory, as a bulldozer operator, an oiler, and in the shop. He also talks about technological changes at the mine, Blue Diamond Village, and many of the local residents.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Jolene Wallace conducted by Cynthia Smith on October 12, 2009 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Wallace reflects upon her career as a teacher and administrator in Dayton, Ohio. She reflects upon some of her favorite programs in the school, such as school lock-ins. She then describes her philosophy of education and school administration, her working relationships with students and teachers, her typical responsibilities, and challenges with instances of school violence. She also discusses what she believes makes a successful school administrator, and why she believes she was a successful principal.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth Parvin conducted by Deborah Radice on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parvin discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955. She later discusses the city when it was a small town and talks about the different communities within Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barbara Wilde conducted by Candy Lorman on September 27, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilde discusses her early life growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls her experiences living there as a local. Wilde lastly discusses general changes that Las Vegas has underwent.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ray Johnson conducted by Rick Stern on October 03, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johnson discusses moving to Nevada and his different residences. Johnson then goes on to talk about his occupational history.
Archival Collection