Oral history interview with Richard E. Strahlem conducted by Jacqueline R. Hall on March 12, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Strahlem discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958 in search of job opportunities. Strahlem then describes the local businesses that he worked with and recalls the competitive nature of gambling. Strahlem later discusses the construction of McCarren International Airport and the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lon Bronson conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 23, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bronson discusses his early life in Keene, New Hampshire, and his initial interest in music. Bronson talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1985, the musical scene in the city at the time, and the musician’s union strike of 1989. He describes when casino shows switched from live musicians to prerecorded music, and the shortage of jobs for musicians after that decision. Lastly, Bronson discusses the current entertainment scene in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mayer Jacob (Chic) Hecht conducted by Julie Sefman on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Chic Hecht discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. He also talks about the retail business world, being a state senator, being a U.S. senator, and being an ambassador to the island nation of the Bahamas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lero Erbe conducted by Claytee D. White on February 04, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Erbe discusses her personal history and her career as an educator. She primarily describes her work in the Head Start education program in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she enrolled young children from low-income families to provide them a preliminary education before they began school. Erbe also recalls her husband and his work as a teacher and administrator in the Clark County school system. She also discusses what life in Las Vegas was like for her and her husband and the shows they enjoyed seeing on the Las Vegas Strip. Erbe's family member, Beau, is also present, and comments on a discussion about racial integration in the local school system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John J. Lee conducted by Claytee D. White on June 15, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Lee discusses his upbringing in North Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his initial interest in politics, being elected to the State Assembly District 3 and the Nevada State Senate. Lee describes the economic issues in North Las Vegas, running for Mayor of North Las Vegas, and being elected Mayor in 2013. Later, Lee discusses changes that he implemented as Mayor, obtaining permission to build new homes in North Las Vegas, and describes working with other Nevada politicians. Lastly, Lee talks about diversifying North Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Sullivan conducted by Claytee D. White on June 27, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview William Sullivan discusses being recruited to University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as director of student support services. He also discusses changes in Las Vegas, Nevada and the UNLV campus.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Watts conducted by Franklin Conn on April 01, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Watts discusses his personal history and Las Vegas, Nevada history. Watts describes working at the El Rancho Hotel and Casino as a comptroller and the development of other casinos in Las Vegas. Watts goes on to describe the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he was a professor during the 1960s and 1970s. He also talks about working at the Riviera, organized crime in Las Vegas, and the growth of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph Digles conducted by Kathleen Wilcox on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Digles discusses his career as an editor of the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mark Brandenburg conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 22, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Brandenburg discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his stepfather’s involvement with the opening of the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, becoming a co-owner of the property in 1990, and joining other downtown properties to form the Fremont Street Experience. Brandenburg describes the challenges in competing with mega-resorts on the Strip, modernizing the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, and weaving the history of the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino with that of the more recent Fremont Street Experience. Lastly, Brandenburg discusses the monetization of the street, and the future of the Fremont Street Experience.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Janice Allen conducted by Claytee White in 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Allen discusses her early experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada and her involvement with the Junior League of Las Vegas. She describes the League’s membership growth, charity events, and women who mentored her in the League. She also discusses her experiences with Fremont Street and the Huntridge Theater, and her involvement with organizations such as Jayceettes, Beta Sigma Phi, and Young Audiences.
Archival Collection