Oral history interview with Johnny Griffin conducted by Claytee D. White on September 13, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Griffin discusses his personal history and working at an all-white country club as a golf caddy. He recalls receiving a golf scholarship to Jackson State University, and describes starting a junior golf program at Craig Ranch Park in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Later, Griffin discusses his senior golf tour and the history of black golfing in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth C. Norton conducted by Gary Melton on March 09, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Norton discusses her arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959 to teach at an elementary school in Henderson, Nevada. Norton then discusses education curriculum, school athletics, and the overall state of education at the time. Later, Norton discusses adult education and special needs education.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wilvera Leavitt conducted by Pat van Betten on October 30, 2012 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Leavitt talks about growing up in the township of Arden, Nevada. She talked about her father’s employment for the Blue Diamond Mine, the water tower in Arden, and moving to Mesquite, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alfred Isola conducted by Stephen Kalish on March 15, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Isola discusses Las Vegas, Nevada’s lack of a unified garbage system and how dumping sites have had to adjust their practices in order to limit their impact on pollution. Isola also explains the different disposal protocols for wet and dry trash.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruby C. Leavitt conducted by her grandson, Patton Alberti, on November 30, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Leavitt describes her early childhood in Genoa, Nevada, and then discusses moving to different towns in northern Nevada while working as a teacher. Leavitt also discusses the expansion of Reno, Nevada and her time attending University of Nevada, Reno in the 1920s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vee Wilson conducted by Connie Malin on April 12, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Wilson reflects upon his 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1960s to the 1990s. He discusses his approach to school administration, and the importance of working relationships with students, staff, and parents.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Kavanaugh conducted by Iolanthe Bruton on February 25, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kavanaugh discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada and taking part in politics and gambling. Kavanaugh later talks about the Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada as well as the atomic bomb testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise LeClair conducted by Dennis Luppens on March 21, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, LeClair talks about her family history in Nevada, and the flu epidemic of 1918. She specifically talks about Boulder (Hoover) Dam, Eldorado Fair, and how Las Vegas, Nevada has grown.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Friedman conducted by David Schwartz on May 26, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Friedman discusses his career working in Nevada casinos including Sahara Tahoe, Hard Rock, Green Valley Ranch, Wynn, Palms, and MGM Grand.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eleanor Scholl conducted by Ryk Galloway on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Scholl discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about the changes in Las Vegas since the 1950s, and the Helldorado parade.
Archival Collection