Oral history interview with Carol Azevedo conducted by James E. Cuchine on March 04, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Azevedo discusses topics such as colleges, her political feelings, Downtown and West Las Vegas, Nevada, hospitals, and the Las Vegas Strip from 1951 and its growth.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gene Leavitt conducted by his son, Monte Leavitt, on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mr. Leavitt talks about his career as a truck and bus driver. He also talks about the life in Southern Nevada, the soldiers stationed here, and gambling. Leavitt also briefly discusses doing drilling work on the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ray Ruff conducted by Scott Benjamin on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ruff discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Chicago, Illinois in 1954. Ruff also discusses his employment and the environment at the Desert Inn Hotel. Ruff later discusses golf and Las Vegas politicians.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Mortenson conducted by Claytee D. White on May 06, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mortenson discusses Cygnus Scientific, a consultation firm specializing in nuclear, radiological, and environmental issues. She goes on to describe the Ice Age Park Foundation, managing her husband’s political campaign, and her archaeological pursuits. Later, Mortenson discusses her discovery of a Shasta ground sloth at Devils Peak, Nevada in 1990.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dorothy Kelsey conducted by James M. Greene on January 20, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the early days of Nelson, Searchlight, and Las Vegas, Nevada, as Kelsey offers an in-depth personal narrative on the life of a local. The interview concludes with a discussion on hotels and casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Martin conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 13, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Martin discusses his early life in Montana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. He recalls his initial interests in carpentry, his employment at the Nevada Test Site, and co-founding his business, Martin-Harris Construction. Martin describes building custom homes, cooperating with architectural firms on a project, and the relationship built between building owners and the construction company. Later, Martin discusses the innovation of technology and its use on the construction site. Lastly, Martin talks about the differences in working for corporations and private owners.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Derrick Fronckowiak conducted by Patricia van Betten October 26, 2010 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Fronckowiak discusses living in Blue Diamond, Nevada and describes the house he grew up in at the village. He talks about the fire department in the community and other public buildings around the area. Lastly, Fronckowiak discusses the development of Blue Diamond and the preservation of the rural areas in Blue Diamond.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nina Lu conducted by Jennifer Sui on November 17, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Lu recalls her difficult immgration journey from China to Los Angeles, California, and later to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses former jobs, starting her own business, and embracing her unique identity and cultural heritage.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Kesterson conducted by James M. Greene on October 24, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kesterson offers an overview on life in Boulder City, Las Vegas, and Henderson, Nevada. He also discusses land development.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kathryn Domenick conducted by Richard Colanduno on February 29, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Domenick discusses atomic testing, politics, the Pony Express, and the economic slump in Las Vegas, Nevada. Domenick also talks about population changes and the political climate of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection