Oral history interview with Judith Harrell conducted by Lois Goodall on November 19, 2013 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Harrell discusses growing up in Fitzgerald, Georgia, later moving to Houston, Texas, and her high school experience in Houston. She describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961, attending Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas), and teaching at E.W. Griffith Elementary School. Lastly, Harrell recalls moving to the Westside of Las Vegas, teaching at Paradise Elementary School, and recreational activities she participated in.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Neil H. Holmes conducted by Laura Bell on February 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Holmes covers the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam and Las Vegas, Nevada’s living conditions in 1931.
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 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
Oral history interview with Elmore B. Curtis conducted by Judy L. Curtis on March 1, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fire department captain, Elmore B. Curtis covers life in Southern Nevada since 1942, including his personal history, and the early development of the Nevada Test Site. During the interview, Curtis also discusses early tourism and socio-economic progress in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Morgan J. Sweeny conducted by James M. Greene on September 20, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Sweeny discusses Boulder City, Nevada and the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Joan Driscoll conducted by Kay Long on April 10, 1997 and April 17, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Driscoll talks about her experiences as a juror on a federal grand jury that investigated organized crime in Nevada. Driscoll also briefly discusses her family history, her family's origins in Iowa, and her experiences moving to the West.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Boyle conducted by Meghan Boyle on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Boyle discusses the changes in air travel over the years and his profession as a pilot. He also discuss improvements in Las Vegas, Nevada roads over the years, the rise in crime rates, and the impacts on changes in the economy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Herbst conducted by Stefani Evans on August 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Herbst discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois, and his father’s chain of service stations, Terrible Herbst. He remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, taking ownership of his father’s company, and expanding the business to California and Arizona. Herbst recalls a shortage of fuel during the early 1970s, how service station owners dealt with the shortage, and converting service stations to be self-serve. Lastly, Herbst discusses the ideal location for service stations, and adjusting fuel prices.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Bearce conducted by Guy Pence on September 29, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bearce discusses some of the social and developmental changes, including the recreational activities involving swimming, going to theaters, watching stock car races, and attending Helldorado events. She also discusses some of the development of Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection