On March 3, 1980, Frank Fusco interviewed Elissa Miller (born October 29th, 1935 in San Francisco, California) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In this interview, Mrs. Miller talks about her life in Virginia City and Reno, Nevada. She discusses the growth in Reno and the problems that came from that. She also speaks about living life in Virginia City, a much smaller town in Nevada. She talks about the people who live and work there, as well as some of the things the town is known for, such as the International Camel and Ostrich Races that are held annually.
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On March 20, 1978, David Furbush interviewed Joanne Imprescia (born October 10th, 1927 in Keokek, Iowa) about her life as a hairdresser in Las Vegas, Nevada. Imprescia discusses the growth of Las Vegas and the local social climate of the fifties. The interview concludes with Imprescia explaining her experiences as a Las Vegas business owner and the hairdressing industry in Southern Nevada.
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On March 16, 1978, Susan Vogel interviewed Helen Cecil (born November 4, 1916 in Silver City, Utah) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. She relocated to Las Vegas with her parents for health reasons. This interview covers family life, education, employment and the growth and development of Las Vegas. Helen attended Las Vegas High School and then went on to work at the Las Vegas High School for many years, an accomplishment that she is extremely proud of. During the interview she also mentions the Boulder Dam, the Old Ranch, and the Westside.
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On March 19, 1978, Russell L. Ellis interviewed former postal worker, Ray Christian (born 1927 in Las Vegas, Nevada). The two discuss Ray’s family history and his experiences as a Black man in early Las Vegas. Ray Christian compares the experiences of his childhood with that of his children in Las Vegas. The interview concludes with Christian expressing how Las Vegas has grown and that there are more opportunities available for his children to pursue.
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On April 7, 1976, Lorna Suzette Clark interviewed her mother-in-law, Phyllis Webb Clark (born 1928 in Los Angeles, California) about her experiences from living in Las Vegas. The two first discuss education, the various address at which Phyllis lived, and the early development of the Strip and Downtown areas. The interview then covers the visits of important individuals, forms of transportation, the effect of World War II on the economy, and the effects of the growing town on hospitality and courteousness. Phyllis also mentions the Helldorado Parade, her involvement in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and recreational activities. The interview concludes with a discussion on the atomic testing, the Stewart Ranch, and floods in Las Vegas.
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On March 4, 1975, collector Connie Degernes interviewed truck driver and rigger, Richard L. (Curley) Francis (born on July 27, 1907 in Compton, California) in his home in Boulder City, Nevada. The main focus of this interview is the construction of the Hoover Dam. Mr. Francis discusses the various occupations he has held since relocating to Nevada, including, Cat Skinner, truck driver, cableway operator, rigger foreman, and crane operator. He also talks about working for the government and the Six Company in Las Vegas.
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On April 6 and 7, 1976, Tim Waters interviewed Colleen Gregory (born 1928 in Santa Clara, Utah) about her life in Southern Nevada. Gregory first talks about her original move to Las Vegas, her early education, school activities, and her college education. She also talks about the first banks, Helldorado, the atomic testing, and environmental changes. Other topics covered include Howard Hughes, Western-style influences, first properties on the Strip, World War II, racial prejudice, and changes she has noticed during her career in banking.
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On February 27th, 1979, Pamela Atkins interviewed Vivian Harwell in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harwell begins the interview by explaining her reasons for moving to Las Vegas from Arkansas, and the type of living quarters that she had. She then goes on to talk about the recreation in Las Vegas in addition to the Nevada Test Site and local politics. The two later discuss the convenience of having local colleges available in Las Vegas and the availability of children’s activities in Las Vegas. The interview concludes with Harwell’s personal reflection on her time living in Las Vegas, and that she does not regret moving to Las Vegas.
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On March 20, 1978, collector Samuel Barto interviewed paint and drywall contractor, Louis Fisher (born July 10, 1922, in Alva, Oklahoma) in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The interview took place at the collector’s home with the collector, Mr. Barto and Mr. and Mrs. Fisher present. Mr. Fisher relocated to Las Vegas in 1953 after having lived in Alva, Oklahoma, Portland, Oregon, and Walla Walla, Washington. During the interview, Mr. Fisher discusses the history of Las Vegas from 1953 and offers key insight into the rapid growth of Las Vegas with special focus on the Strip, banks, the steady influx of people moving to Las Vegas for the warm climate, and housing.
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On June 26, 1975, Sharon Hildebrandt interviewed Dorothy Ross Fletcher (born 1936 in Las Vegas, Nevada) about growing up in and living in Southern Nevada. Fletcher first talks about that various towns in which she lived while growing up before discussing the schools she attended. She also discusses the changes in schools, her involvement in politics, church activity, gambling as a recreational activity, and prominent visitors who came to Las Vegas. Fletcher also talks about living in Nevada during World War II, the atomic testing, environmental changes and extreme weather, and the social changes in Las Vegas. The latter part of the interview involves discussion of real estate, the introduction of air conditioning for cooling, changes on the Las Vegas Strip, recreational activities available to youth in Las Vegas and the increase in the nonnative population.
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