Oral history interview with Jerry Waldrop conducted by Harry Ward on February 23, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Waldrop discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1944 as an instructor for the Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunnery School (now Nellis Air Force Base). Waldrop also describes the increase of hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, social life, and environmental changes in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Erick Spiess conducted by Gretchen Spiess on June 29, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Spiess discusses the history of the Nevada Test Site, and briefly discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history. Spiess describes his career as the technical liaison at the Nevada Test Site working for EG & G, Inc. and the research performed there, including the model town built to observe the effects of a nuclear weapon on an urban area. Spiess goes on to discuss how Las Vegas residents reacted to the testing, and how Las Vegas has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ernest Fountain conducted by Claytee D. White on March 27, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Fountain discusses African American owned businesses and explains why these businesses are disproportionately disappearing and going out of business. Fountain then talks about the importance of understanding finance and economics, small businesses, and starting his lending firm, New Ventures Capital Development Company. Lastly, Fountain explains the process of owning a bank, and the importance of having more African American owned financial institutions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Acres conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 11, 2017, and September 28, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Acres discusses his progressive jackpot system for the Lady Luck Casino, which was also installed in the Aladdin, the Frontier, and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. Acres relates history of his work in engineering and manufacturing gaming technology and recalls how and why he sold his first company, Electronic Display Technology (EDT). Acres then discusses Acres 4.0, which develops artificial intelligence that creates customer experiences while reducing operational costs, and explains the Gen7 concept of planning solutions that will last for seven generations.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marion Allen conducted by Dennis McBride on April 14, 1986 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Allen discusses the construction of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and his father’s employment on the dam. He talks about becoming a dam construction worker and the working conditions during the early stages of the dam. Allen recalls the labor strike in 1935 and the opening of the dam. Lastly, Allen talks about engineer Frank Crowe’s involvement with the the project.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Augusta Massey conducted by Steve Hayes on November 14, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Massey discusses her early life in Nigeria, moving to Memphis, Tennessee, and then relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008. She talks about her educational experience in Memphis and compares social life in the South and the West. Massey describes her career in law, working in various law firms in Las Vegas, and starting mentoring programs for new attorneys. Lastly, Massey discusses the importance of scholarships for students in law school, her involvement with the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association (LVNBA), and why it is important for lawyers to be active in the LVNBA.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patrick Gaffey conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on August 19, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gaffey discusses the McCarran airport redesign, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District building program, First Interstate Bank tower, and Clark County Government Center. He also discusses the redesign of the Maryland Parkway corridor and public art. Gaffey then talks about the City of Las Vegas Public Art Committee, Las Vegas City Hall art installation, and City of Las Vegas Maintenance and Operations.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert D. Howell conducted by Joe Sant on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Howell discusses growing up in Nevada, the early above ground atomic tests, local environmental and social changes, the economic landscape, the Mormon Fort, religious beliefs, local recreation, and air pollution.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Walker Young conducted by Elton Garrett on June 23, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Virginia "Teddy" Fenton, Hal Erickson, Martha Garrett, and Jane Young also briefly participate in the interview. They answer a few questions about their experience working on the project and working with Young. Young primarily discusses the design and construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam. He details surveying possible dam sites and describes his interactions with members of the project team.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nancie B. Watson conducted by Matthew Courtad on November 30, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Watson reflects upon her roughly 30-year career as a teacher and administrator in Nevada and Utah. She discusses her experiences as a teacher, and describes how certain challenges influenced her decision to pursue school administration and influenced her management approach. She discusses the importance of mentorship programs, as well as working relationships between teachers and administrators.
Archival Collection