Oral history interview with Ruby Thomas conducted by Craig Hawkins on October 05, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thomas discusses her career as a teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada and being member of the Retired Teachers Association. She then describes social and environmental changes, and the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Lastly, Thomas recalls the population growth and casino development in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ward W. Wengert conducted by Robert D. Myles on March 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wengert discusses his personal history and Las Vegas, Nevada history. Wengert describes living in Las Vegas, observing the nuclear tests, and economic and environmental changes of Las Vegas. Wengert also discusses how Las Vegas has developed and changed, and flooding in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Leone conducted by Lisa Giola-Acres on November 13, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Leone recalls his childhood, education, piano playing, and early career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967 and engagements at various casinos, including playing with singers such as Frank Sinatra, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, and Elvis Presley. He also talks about his work as a board member and president of the Musicians Union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tom Warden conducted by Claytee D. White on September 29, 2015 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project.. In this interview, Warden discusses his early life in Allen Park, Michigan. He talks about the history of the Summerlin residential community in Clark County, Nevada, the construction of Summerlin Parkway, and the development of infrastructure in that area. Warden describes the planning that goes into creating communities, and describes what the “Summerlin lifestyle” means. Later, Warden talks about the development of Downtown Summerlin, the schools in Summerlin, and serving on the School Community Partnership Council. Lastly, Warden discusses future goals of the Howard Hughes Corporation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Sklansky conducted by Claytee D. White on October 19, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Sklansky arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967. While in Las Vegas, he recalls working as the mathematical consultant to Bob Stupak for many years where he developed some of the games used in Stupak's Vegas World Casino. He also taught poker and gambling, and was entered in The Griffin Book which contained names and photographss of people who found ways to win in the casino by legal means.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jeff Ju 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, Ju recalls moving to the United States with his family at the age of ten. He discusses his relationships with his parents, how it has changed, and experiencing discrimination and racism at work and as an individual. While he lives in New York, Ju visits Las Vegas, Nevada regularly and shares how he finds it more inclusive and welcoming compared to New York or Korea.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jane A. Bigelow conducted by Rebecca Shurley on November 05, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bigelow discusses her experiences, mainly as a flight nurse and its unique challenges as well as her experiences in the intensive care unit during the Vietnam War. She provides details on her career progression from staff nurse to her then current position of chief nurse of the United States Air Force Hospital at Nellis Air Force Base. Bigelow also describes some of the educational requirements for becoming a nurse, as well as the demands of the nursing profession.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marvin Vallone conducted by Eileen Jonas on March 02, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vallone discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada and his first occupations in gaming as a card dealer. Vallone also discusses the growth of gaming in Las Vegas, Nevada and the development of casinos throughout the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jewel Nolen conducted by Philip Partridge on March 05, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Nolen discusses her family moving from Winslow, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1900s. She also discusses the growth of Fremont Street as well as the drinking culture at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arthur Townsend conducted by Michael W. Brehm on March 07, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Townsend discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. He goes into detail about his personal life. Townsend describes the Las Vegas Strip and also discusses gambling.
Archival Collection