Oral history interview with Ferren Bunker conducted by Debra Leu on July 02, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bunker discusses early above-ground atomic tests, the economy, employment, environmental changes, life during World War II, and his heritage as a native Nevadan pioneer.
Oral history interview with Ernest Henry Clary conducted by Tom Mattingly on February 10, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview covers Mr. Clary’s personal and professional life, and the history of Nevada, including the early above-ground atomic tests, presidential visits, and the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane.
Helen Smith, born and raised in New Jersey, came to Las Vegas in 1956. She intended to visit relatives for a couple of weeks, but ended up staying. Her aunt convinced her to interview at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital (SNMH) and Helen worked there for a year. She recalls three hospitals at that time: SNMH, the Eighth Street Hospital, and St. Rose de Lima in Henderson. Helen worked in the emergency room back east, so it was natural for her to start in the newly opened ER at Southern Nevada. She recalls treating many victims of accidents on the "Widow Maker", or route 95 to the Test Site, and compares the more advanced treatment and staffing back east with the Las Vegas small-town conditions. In talking about the medical advances she has seen over the years, Helen gives a detailed explanation of autoclaving, describes the duties of an ER nurse, and mentions the shifts that nurses used to work. She also discusses her own progression from relief nurse to day nurse to supervisor, and comparisons are made between hospital stays 30 and 40 years ago to hospital stays today. Helen refers to doctors and nurses that she worked with or knew of, talks about the types of things children were treated for, and shares several anecdotes and stories of patients and their treatment. She also expounds further on her work history at Sunrise Hospital, with her husband in their air-conditioning business, and as case manager for SIIS in workman's compensation. As Las Vegas grew in population, a process which started in the sixties, Helen notes that more specialists were attracted to local hospitals. She shares her own more recent experience as a patient and gives her opinion on the use of ERs for general care rather than true emergencies. Her closing remarks include descriptions of changes in nurses' responsibilities and comments on her husband's work with the Children's Shrine in telemedicine.
Interviewed by Barbara Tabach. Mara Braun, a native of Puerto Rico, has lived in Las Vegas since 1975. She is the owner/operator of a successful event and catering business. Mara married Abe Braun and raised their children in both Latinx and Jewish traditions.
Oral history interview with J. D. Morris conducted by his son, Dan Morris, in approximately 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Morris discusses moving to Southern Nevada in 1942 and life in Caliente, Nevada during that time. He describes the mining and railroad activity near Caliente, as well as his career as a jeweler and watchmaker. Morris also discusses gambling in Southern Nevada, nuclear weapons tests, and how the cities in Southern Nevada have expanded.
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 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 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.