Oral history interview with Jesma and Carlyle Wilcox conducted by Sally Griffis on February 19, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jesma Wilcox begins by describing her family ranch, how her father leased the property to tenants, and what it was like living without air conditioning and refrigeration. She describes using a nearby stream as a water source, recreational activities, and the Mormon settlers and missionaries who first settled on the ranch. Wilcox talks about her religious involvement with the Mormon Church and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the mid-twentieth century, as well as how Las Vegas has changed. Wilcox, with her husband Carlyle, also discusses the history of the nuclear weapons tests. Carlyle then describes the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada.
Oral history interview with William Wright conducted by Andrew Weiss on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wright discusses his career working for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s. Wright describes how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed and expanded, the crash of Carole Lombard's plane, and the history of McCarran International Airport. He also talks about nuclear weapons tests and their negative effects, the effect World War II had on Las Vegas, and prominent local politicians.
Oral history interview with Eldon G. Cooper conducted by Kamal Wilhelm on March 03, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cooper first talks about his background and his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada before describing the recreational activities in which he and his family participated. He later describes the atomic testing, environmental changes, modes of transportation, social changes, and tourism in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Polly F. Lilly conducted by Connie L. Patterson on March 26, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project. In this interview, Lilly discusses a range of topics, from building a Catholic church in early Las Vegas, Nevada, to the nearby nuclear weapons tests. She also describes witnessing a confrontation between Senator Joseph McCarthy and Hank Greenspun on stage at the now demolished War Memorial Building in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Oral history interview with Gerald Price conducted by Mike Labrum on October 23, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Price discusses his personal history and experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes his career as a dealer in casinos, prominent celebrities visiting Las Vegas, and his recreational activities. Price also talks about nuclear weapons tests, how Las Vegas has changed, and gambling.