Oral history interview with John L. Houck conducted by Perry L. Smith on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In his interview Houck discusses his childhood growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s. He additionally discusses his job working for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department as a motorcycle patrol officer.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alfred Brimacombe conducted by Kevin Cunningham on February 23, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brimacombe discusses his printing business, Las Vegas, Nevada’s railroads, and the Lion's Club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Shirley Helmick conducted by Lyle Helmick on May 12, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Helmick discusses her personal history, occupational history, and reasons for moving to Nevada. She also explains events that the United Methodist Church hosts.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maria Banks conducted by Barbara Hoyt on September 23, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Banks discusses her experiences managing a jukebox company, owning and operating two restaurants, and working for a music company. She also discusses her Mormon religion and the relationship she had with her late husband. Banks also discusses the change in climate over time, specifically the increasing humidity.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Bowerman conducted by Frances Harelik on March 05, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Bowerman provides insight into life in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1954 to 1976. Bowerman discusses weather, wildlife, and interesting recreational sites in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dorothy Evans conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on August 05, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Evans discusses her life as a house mover.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arthur Townsend conducted by Michael W. Brehm on March 07, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Townsend discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. He goes into detail about his personal life. Townsend describes the Las Vegas Strip and also discusses gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Rist conducted by William F. Vornholt on May 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rist discusses his personal history working as a musician and owning a bar in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rist also describes the development of Las Vegas over the years and the distinctions between the different casinos and shows.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Justin Kaiser conducted by John (last name unknown) on September 23, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kaiser discusses his childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada and how his parents originally moved to Southern Nevada. He also expresses his desire for Las Vegas to discontinue its growth and remain a smaller city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Brymer conducted by Rob Mullaney on March 09, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brymer explains how he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada for the gaming attractions and eventually married and had two children. Brymer talks about working as a craps dealer at the Frontier Club in Downtown Las Vegas, the Last Frontier on the Las Vegas Strip, and later a pit boss at the Sahara. Brymer also discusses a visit by Lyndon B. Johnson, the early atomic testing, the importance of religion in his life, changes in climate, the development of the Strip, the existence and decline of agriculture, and some of the entertainers who performed on the Strip.
Archival Collection