Oral history interviews with Virginia James conducted by Claytee D. White on various dates in October and November 2004, and March and July 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, James describes her experiences as a dancer with the Texas Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel and Casino, and with the Jayne Mansfield Show and Folies Bergère at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls her early life in Texas, learning how to dance, and applying to be a dancer at the Sands in 1957. James details the audition process, her first impressions of Las Vegas upon arriving, and memories of her performances. Other subjects James covers include her marriages, her children, and other occupations she held later in life.
Oral history interview with Carus Lortz conducted by Corrado R. Carey on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lortz talks about his life and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. He specifically talks about his religious background and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Olenda Purdy conducted by Mark Miller on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Purdy discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She specifically talks about her family history, gambling in Las Vegas, and the changes in the Las Vegas economy and environment since the 1960s.
Oral history interview with Hobert D. Blair conducted by Arnel Wilks on March 10, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Blair discusses Boulder City, Nevada in the early days, as well as, Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1930s.
Oral history interview with Frank Wooley conducted by Bruce McLauchlin on April 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In his interview, Wooley discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1923 at the age of seventeen, and his efforts to establish himself in the city.
Oral history interview with Thomas J. Schoeman conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 18, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Schoeman discusses his childhood, education from the University of New Mexico, and the architectural community within Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about Jack Miller and Associates Architectural Studios projects and his favorite Las Vegas buildings.
Oral history interview with G.C. Ramsay conducted by Steven Fink on March 19, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ramsay compares and contrasts 1950s Las Vegas, Nevada to 1980s Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Stephen Hawley conducted by Donna Mattson on June 24, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project On Early Las Vegas. This interview offers a historical overview of early Las Vegas, Nevada including gambling and an in-depth discussion on local economic, environmental, and social changes.
Oral history interview with Charles Adams (born 1930 in Juliet, Illinois) conducted by Robert Melcer on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss various topics, including Adams’s move to Southern Nevada, the growth of Las Vegas, the educational system, the growth of the English Department at the university, cultural and recreational activities for locals, raising a family in Las Vegas, and prostitution in Southern Nevada.
Oral history interview with Roosevelt Toston conducted by Chanelle Pickens on October 19, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Toston discusses his career in broadcast journalism in the Las Vegas, Nevada market and then at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.