Oral history interview with Gene Leavitt conducted by his son, Monte Leavitt, on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mr. Leavitt talks about his career as a truck and bus driver. He also talks about the life in Southern Nevada, the soldiers stationed here, and gambling. Leavitt also briefly discusses doing drilling work on the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Isadore Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on February 07, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Isadore Washington discusses playing with Wayne Newton when they were children and life on the Westside and joining the sheriff's department after high school and became the first black deputy sheriff. He also discusses people and places on the Westside in the eighties, medical care for blacks as far back as the fifties, and renting a room to entertainers after he bought his first house.
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 Sally Halko conducted by Roberta Farmer on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Halko first talks about her family background, education, traveling, and church membership. She later talks about the development of Las Vegas, Nevada casinos, racial minorities, housing growth, Lake Mead, and the first theaters.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steve Johnson conducted by Fred Reagan on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Johnson discusses his exposure to African American racial discrimination and segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s to the 1970s. He discusses these experiences in markets, theaters, casinos, employment, and in common social interactions. Johnson also discusses the slow progression of social acceptance to racial integration and African Americans entering professional fields.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harvey N. Dondero conducted by Iskandar A. Batlouni on February 26, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dondero discusses relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931 to teach at Las Vegas High School. Dondero also discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, the gaming industry, school integration, the Westside, the Strip, Howard Hughes, Block 16, and the growth of Las Vegas from a sleepy railroad town to a thriving metropolis.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Caldwell conducted by Lloyd Henderson on March 6, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Richard Caldwell (b. 1935 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) discusses his experience moving to and living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Caldwell discusses his family and his education in business administration before describing the various occupations he has held. Caldwell then talks about the changes in Las Vegas, including racial issues, prejudice, and segregation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Amalette Wilson conducted by Koh Swee Huat on May 10, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilson discusses Boulder City, Nevada and the Hoover (Boulder) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sara P. Denton conducted by Claytee D. White on July 13, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Denton discusses her work in charity activities in Boulder City, Nevada, especially Art in the Park. She also talks about working on political campaigns for Howard Cannon, Grant Sawyer, and Alan Bible in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Randy Gangwer conducted by Thomas Hardy on May 17, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gangwer discusses the importance of gambling, above ground atomic tests, and Southern Nevada’s economic, environmental, and social changes.
Archival Collection