Oral history interview with William Rehn conducted by Melissa Valentine on February 15, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rehn discusses how he believes people have changed in Las Vegas, Nevada since he moved there in 1939. Rehn bemoans how African Americans were treated and segregated in Las Vegas, and describes his career as a political cartoonist. He describes clubs in Las Vegas and their connection to organized crime, as well as the inner workings of the casinos and their relation to the economy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with JoNell Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White on January 12, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Thomas discusses working as an attorney with the Nevada Supreme Court, a staff attorney with a Las Vegas, Nevada firm, an adjunct professor at the law school at the University Nevada Las Vegas, and an attorney with the Clark County Special Public Defender's Office. She also discusses living in the John S. Park Neighborhood with her family since 2001.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Janet Kennedy conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 07, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Janet Kennedy discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963 because her husband Norm was offered a position as a weather man at the Nevada Test Site. She also discusses her family life, social life, entertaining at her cabin in Mount Charleston, and volunteering at various organizations across the Las Vegas Valley.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lestor Burgwardt conducted by Connie Carr on February 09, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Burgwardt covers local entertainment, Lake Mead, school districts, and gaming’s effect on the educational system. He also recalls his move to Nevada and offers a general overview of Henderson, Nevada in 1954.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jean Rambo conducted by Mary Fitzgerald on April 29, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rambo discusses her career as a nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her initial impressions and responsibilities as a nurse in Las Vegas, as well as the construction of Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital (University Medical Center). Lastly, Rambo discusses her experiences in nursing school.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lois Mathews conducted by Pat Kohlman on December 07, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mathews discusses early life in Boulder City, Nevada. Mathews also discusses the changes that Boulder City, Nevada had as a result of the population growth in Southern Nevada. Mathews later describes her various visits to Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls attending shows at the casinos on Fremont Street.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Quincella Rivers conducted by Claytee D. White on November 20, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Quincella Rivers began by talking about where she grew up, her family life and history with the arts, and her childhood. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979 to finish college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and talks about different jobs and organizations she has participated in. Rivers serves as co-chair of the Youth in Arts for Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, President of the Las Vegas Society, Inc., Advisory Board of Forgotten Song Foundation, and sings with Sweet Adeline International. She talks about the histories of some of the organizations, how she helped out in each of them, what their goals were, and what they did for the community. Lastly, she talks about racism in Las Vegas in the past and her personal experience with racism and segregation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don R. Waitman conducted by Eileen Green on February 09, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Waitman begins by describing life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1940s and explains how the city has changed and expanded. He describes other aspects of Southern Nevada history and life, including recreational activities and the growth of Henderson, Nevada because of the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant. Waitman then discusses what life was like in Nevada during World War II, being drafted, and later returning to Las Vegas to work for the United States Postal Service. Waitman concludes by talking about mining in Nevada and his family history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Gemma conducted by Dan Murphy on March 1, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gemma discusses employment opportunities, construction work, housing developments, and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. Gemma also recalls social and environmental changes, local recreation, sports, and the importance of gambling in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carl F. Kelley conducted by James M. Greene on May 02, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kelley discusses moving to Nevada and describes living in Boulder City, Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada and Henderson, Nevada. The interview concludes with an in-depth discussion of the Civilian Conservation Corps activities in Boulder City.
Archival Collection