Archival Component
Oral history interview with Elsie Whipple conducted by Hugo A. Cascos Jr. on March 22, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Whipple discusses Southern Nevada history and recalls the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Whipple also recalls the first hotels and casinos to open on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, and her work as a missionary with the Mormon Church.
Archival Collection
Archival Component
Oral history interview with Lavell Jarrett conducted by Robert B. Grzywacz on February 22, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In his interview Jarrett discusses his early life in Utah and his career with the Union Pacific Railroad.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Guy Hamblin conducted by Barry Merrell on February 22, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hamblin discusses moving from different towns in Nevada before settling down in Southern Nevada, viewing the above-ground atomic bomb tests, early Fremont Street, and his work on the railroad. Hamblin also discusses the demographic and economic changes that he has seen in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Su Kim Chung conducted by Claytee White on March 11, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Su Kim Chung is the Public Services Department Head of University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lied Library's Special Collections and Archives. This interview was conducted in part for the 20th year celebration of Lied Library. Su Kim first talks about the construction of Lied Library and what makes it special compared to the previous library building on campus. She then discusses her personal history and education that led her to UNLV, where she has now worked for 22 years. Her work involves manuscript curation, panel discussions with Las Vegas entertainers, and oral history collection among other activities. She has also written a book, Las Vegas Then and Now, that talks of the city's rich entertainment history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ed W. May conducted by Claytee D. White on July 22, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, May discusses golfing in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Valley View Club, an organization for predominately African American golfers, and its significance to the African American community. May describes how the club began and recalls anecdotes from his time as president of the club for nine years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cindy Baca conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 22, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project.
Cindy Baca, born and raised in Las Vegas, talks about her family and occupation as a librarian at Escobedo Middle School. Cindy's twin daughters were present and injured during the Route 91 Festival and October 1 shooting. She describes their experiences and the Random Acts of Kindness project she piloted at her school after the incident.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barr Smith conducted by Melvin Smail on February 22, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Smith discusses working at the Basic Magnesium plant, playing high stakes poker games with prominent gamblers like "Nick the Greek," and the casinos built on the early Las Vegas Strip. Smith also describes how Las Vegas has changed, the different forms of gambling and gaming available in the city, and life in 1940s Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Danel Boone conducted by Daniel Pope on February 22, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview Boone discusses why he came to Las Vegas, Nevada, the Helldorado parade, church activity, and the weather. Boone also discusses city parks, Boy Scouts, schools, above ground atomic tests, local history of Southern Nevada, and the ways in which Las Vegas has changed over the years.
Archival Collection