On February 7, 1976, collector, Marc Hechter interviewed Herbert and Erma Holtam in the collector’s home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the history of the early Las Vegas Valley area. The discussion includes an in-depth overview of the Helldorado Parade and Helldorado Village. The building of the hotels on the Strip, homesteading, and local housing developments, are also discussed.
From the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas collection OH-00871. On October 12, 1975, collector Mary B. Hogan interviewed her father, farmer James L. Hogan (born April 6th, 1909 in Winton Place, Ohio) at the Hogan family home, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The interview covers the life of a Las Vegas old-timer. Mr. Hogan discusses moving to Las Vegas, early Las Vegas, Boulder Dam, and the Stewart Ranch. Colonel T. W. Miller and Vic Whittlesea are also mentioned.
On February 12, 1975, collector Laura Bell interviewed her neighbor, plant mechanic foreman, Neil H. Holmes (born on November 16th, 1897 in Chicopee, Kansas) in the collector’s home in Boulder City, Nevada. This interview covers the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam. During this interview Neil also discusses local living conditions in 1931.
In this interview she talks about student teaching in East Harlem, her teaching experiences in Providence, Rhode Island and the decision to reside in Las Vegas. When she was finally able to be promoted outside of the classroom, among her highlights was being Director of Special Education Programs and Services for the Clark County School District. In 1991, she served in a dual role as Manager of the Office of Development and Education Improvement for CCSD and Executive Director of the newly incorporated Clark County Public Education Foundation, an independent, non-profit organization established to improve public education in Southern Nevada. Among her many community activities is serving on numerous board and founder of the Henderson Arts Council.
Interview with Stanley Hyman by Eleanor Doble on March 10, 1981. In this interview, Hyman discusses his job as a district manager for Farmers Insurance group, which brought him to Reno, Nevada in the 1940s, then to Las Vegas in 1951. He talks about the population growth of Las Vegas, and comments that the infrastructure of the city did not improve with the population growth. He also talks about some local disasters, the economy, entertainment, and the convention business in the area. He speaks briefly about recreation at Lake Mead and Mount Charleston, and atomic tests. The interviewer asks about women in leadership positions in hotels and in the insurance business.
On March 9, 1975, Maisie Gibson interviewed Fred Gibson (born 1927 in Golden, Colorado) about his life in Nevada. Gibson first talks about his family’s background, their move to Nevada, and his education in early Las Vegas schools. He also mentions his service in the U.S. Army, his college education, and his occupation as an engineer at various companies. Gibson then talks about the various locations at which he has lived, his membership in clubs and charitable organizations, and his memories of the first properties on Fremont Street as well as those of the Helldorado Parade. The interview then covers the topics of mining, the atomic testing, economic and environmental changes, and social changes. The interview concludes with a discussion on the growth and development of Henderson, Nevada.
On January 8, 1975, collector James M. Greene interviewed John D. Gieck (born January 1st, 1902 in Belle, Missouri) at his home in Boulder City, Nevada. In this interview Mr. Gieck discusses his various career changes throughout his life, including the building of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). He also discusses living in Boulder City from its beginnings as a town.
On February 10, 1977, Frederick Dougan interviewed Russell Grater (born 1907 in Lebanon, Indiana) about his career in the U.S. National Park Service. Grater first talks about his move to the Southern Nevada area and his work that impacted the Hoover Dam project. He then talks about the town of St. Thomas, Nevada, the Lost City, and the activities of tourists. Grater also talks about his work in excavation, the indigenous American Indian tribes of the area, findings on petroglyphs, and the types of wildlife that were found in the area. He later talks about findings related to fossils, gold mining, the effects of World War II on the dam project, and vegetation in the area.
On November 25, 1974, collector James M. Greene interviewed Russell K. Grater (born November 16th, 1907 in Lebanon, Indiana) in his home in Boulder City, Nevada. This interview offers an overview of the United States Park Service. Mr. Grater also offers an overview on the history of housing developments in the Las Vegas Valley and Nelson Township. The interview concludes with discussion on the leaf system of local plants.
On March 27th, 1981, collector Michael D. Taylor interviewed housewife Flora Hannig-Kellar (born January 24th, 1902 in Washington, Utah) in Henderson, Nevada. This interview is Flora Hannig-Kellar’s personal account on growing up in Nevada. She discusses home and family life and local social and recreational activities. During the interview Mrs. Hannig-Kellar also shares some of the poetry she wrote about Nevada and her family, specifically her children and grandchildren.