Oral history interview with Chet Carrigan conducted by Robert Kahre on February 17, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Carrigan first talks about his background in construction as well as some of his experiences in the Sheriff’s Posse before describing the major events and changes of Las Vegas, Nevada that he witnessed. Carrigan also talks about his family, the effects of the Great Depression on the city, the flooding problem, and the building of Hoover Dam. He also describes the first schools in Las Vegas, means of transportation, his laundry business, his experience on the volunteer fire department, the first movie theaters, and Cashman Field.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pamela Sitton conducted by Claytee D. White on March 15, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sitton discusses her early life in South Carolina, Ohio, California, Arizona, and finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. She recalls her father’s employment at the Nevada Test Site as a carpenter, graduating from Las Vegas High School, and the demolition of historic Las Vegas buildings. Sitton talks about the Huntridge movie theatre, Charleston Plaza Mall, and recreational activities she participated in during the 1970s. Lastly, Sitton discusses preserving historic buildings in Las Vegas, the importance of having a sense of history, and the October 1, 2017 shooting.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Verlean Whitley conducted by Jasmine Smith on November 26, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Whitley talks about her parents and upbringing in Arkansas and traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada by bus in her late teens to live with relatives. She continues discussing her marriage and work, her church and community activities, and efforts to encourage voting in the late 1960s. She also mentions her involvement with the NAACP, her concerns about the closure of F Street in 2008 and her hopes for the revitalization of the Westside community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carrie Neal conducted by Aireona Bradford on November 15, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Neal discusses her upbringing and migration from the South, her marriage and move to Las Vegas, Nevada, her work in the back-of-the-house at multiple casino-hotels, the Black church and the influence of the Culinary Union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kathryn Domenick conducted by Richard Colanduno on February 29, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Domenick discusses atomic testing, politics, the Pony Express, and the economic slump in Las Vegas, Nevada. Domenick also talks about population changes and the political climate of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert D. Howell conducted by Joe Sant on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Howell discusses growing up in Nevada, the early above ground atomic tests, local environmental and social changes, the economic landscape, the Mormon Fort, religious beliefs, local recreation, and air pollution.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rick Tilman conducted by Nicholas Christie on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tilman discusses his personal history and his educational background. Tilman then describes changes in Las Vegas, Nevada and how gambling helped the Las Vegas economy grow. He later recalls atomic bomb testing, local politics, and the rise of crime throughout Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frances Farnsworth conducted by an unknown collector on May 27, 1982 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Farnsworth discusses her role as a founding member of the Mesquite Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Farnsworth also discusses how members would go out to the community and recruit women to join the club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Randy Lavigne conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on August 23, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Lavigne discusses working as the Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Las Vegas since 1997. She also talks about the Fifth Street School’s plans to celebrate the AIA Chapter's sixtieth anniversary; the now defunct auxiliary organization, the Architects' Wives League, and various topics having to do with architecture as a profession and architectural firms.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Milton Schwartz conducted by Claytee D. White on May 03, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Schwartz discusses working at the Flamingo Hotel right after World War II, starting Valley Hospital and owning many other businesses. He also talks about having a Hebrew academy named after him in Israel, and owning the Yellow-Checker-Star Cab Company. Other topics Schwartz discusses includes being active in the Republican Party and bringing the first medical helicopters to Nevada with a few partners.
Archival Collection