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Lester Adams oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00008

Abstract

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

Priscilla Alexander oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00018

Abstract

Oral history interview with Priscilla Alexander conducted by Norman Vallata on 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Alexander was born in Southern California, and in approximately 1952 Alexander relocated to Nevada with her aunt and her uncle who worked in the gambling industry. During the interview Alexander discusses gambling ships in Southern California, early above-ground atomic testing, Nevada’s gambling industry, buffets in the early days on the Las Vegas Strip, and working for Howard Hughes.

Archival Collection

Bill Armstrong oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00044

Abstract

Oral history interview with Bill Armstrong conducted by Anthony Robone on February 20, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Armstrong discusses his time bootlegging in Kentucky before arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada, his involvement with the Las Vegas dealers, and the weather as it relates to other parts of the country. He also discusses the impacts of the work of Howard Hughes on the town, the construction of Hoover Dam, the above-ground atomic testing, the growth of Las Vegas and tourism, changes in gambling habits for the next generation, and the social and recreational activities of residents.

Archival Collection

Victoria and Brad Babich oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00095

Abstract

Oral history interview with Victoria and Brad Babich conducted by Claytee D. White on November 22, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, the Babich couple describe their family histories and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the mid-twentieth century. Brad Babich discusses his father's work in the gaming industry of Las Vegas, the prevalence of organized crime in the city, the influence of Howard Hughes and the federal government, and other aspects of Las Vegas history. He also talks about nuclear weapons tests at the Nevada Test Site and the health problems some employees acquired there. The two talk about recreational activities of the time, as well as the entertainers that performed on the Las Vegas Strip. Other topics of discussion include race relations in Las Vegas, casino history, and changes that have occurred over the years in the city.

Archival Collection

Dennis Ortwein oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01416

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dennis Ortwein conducted by Claytee D. White on May 06, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Ortwein discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956 and his various careers as an elementary school teacher, a junior high teacher, and an elementary school principal. He also discusses working at a teacher's college in Nigeria, being a church choir director, and his experience as a singer. He then talks about school integration in Las Vegas and above-ground nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site.

Archival Collection

Liermann L. Ousley oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01420

Abstract

Oral history interview with Liermann L. Ousley conducted by Brian Emil on April 29, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ousley discusses his career as a lineman, a type of electrician, in California and Nevada. Ousley also discusses how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed since moving there in 1933 and observing the first nuclear weapons test.

Archival Collection

Joseph Tooley Phillips oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01479

Abstract

Oral history interview with Joseph Tooley Phillips conducted by Joanne P. Marshall on March 15, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Phillips discusses his personal history in Nevada and his job as a printer at the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Las Vegas Sun. Phillips describes nuclear weapons tests, how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed over the years, and the union strike at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Archival Collection

John Pocock oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01487

Abstract

Oral history interview with John Pocock conducted by Jeffrey J. Wild on March 08, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pocock describes his history as an Irish immigrant, his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950, and life in the city during the 1950s. He discusses housing availability in Las Vegas and the development of the city, including the construction of casinos which he claims encouraged the growth of Las Vegas. He talks about working in a casino that eventually became the Sands Hotel and Casino, organized crime in Las Vegas, and the future of the city. Pocock concludes by discussing how Las Vegas and the quality of its customer service in casinos has changed, his recreational activities, and nuclear weapons testing.

Archival Collection

Thomas P. O'Farrell Papers

Identifier

MS-00639

Abstract

The Thomas P. O'Farrell Papers (1900-1999) are comprised of scientific reports collected by Thomas O’Farrell over the course of his career studying wildlife ecology, particularly its connection to nuclear radiation. Materials include original, reprinted, and photocopied editions of scientific reports on animal and plant life around the world, focusing primarily on the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts, Alaska, Washington, and the Pacific Ocean. Reports come from institutions including the Desert Research Institute (DRI), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), and the United States Department of Energy (DOE), as well as affiliated universities.

Archival Collection

James Prather oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01506

Abstract

Oral history interview with James Prather conducted by Bruce Finkelstein on March 09, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Prather discusses his childhood and personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prather discusses his education, recreational activities he did as a child, and how Las Vegas has changed. Prather describes the swampy marshlands he used to play in near Las Vegas, viewing nuclear weapons tests and the nuclear fallout safety drills they would perform in school, and witnessing a plane crash in the North Las Vegas, Nevada area. Prather also discusses the arrival of Howard Hughes in Las Vegas and the effect he had on the city.

Archival Collection