Oral history interview with Marko Dobro conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on August 8, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dobro discusses World War I, Tonopah, Nevada, and Goldfield, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Murl Emery conducted by James M. Greene on October 18, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Emery discusses living in Southern Nevada, particularly in the areas from Searchlight, Nevada to Nelson, Nevada. He also discusses the building of the railroad, mining in Nevada, and the books that were written about his discoveries and explorations during his life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Dennis McBride conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on various dates in March, April, and May 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. McBride goes into detail in this 4-session interview and covers a wide variety of topics, including: the history of Boulder City, working at various cultural institutions in Las Vegas, the evolution of the LGBTQ+ community in Las Vegas, researching his own history and publishing a book, and local advocacy groups. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Russell K. Grater conducted by Frederick Dougan on February 10, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grater first talks about his move to the Southern Nevada area and his work that impacted the Hoover (Boulder) Dam project. He then talks about the town of St. Thomas, Nevada, the Lost City, and the activities of tourists. Grater also talks about his work in excavation, the indigenous American Indian tribes of the area, findings on petroglyphs, and the types of wildlife that were found in the area. He later talks about findings related to fossils, gold mining, the effects of World War II on the Hoover Dam project, and vegetation in the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William Star conducted by Tony Morneau on September 15, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Star discusses moving from Brooklyn, New York to Henderson, Nevada in 1955. In 1959, Star moved from Henderson to Las Vegas, Nevada to run a family-owned pawn shop. Star goes into detail about atomic bomb testing, the growth of Las Vegas, and gambling.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen H. Holmes conducted by Marilyn Swanson on February 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Holmes discusses the social, economic, and environmental changes that occurred in Boulder City, Nevada from 1931 to 1975. Holmes also discusses his home and family life in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Samanthia Kerwin on March 11, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tomiyasu discusses his family life, being raised on a farm, and enlisting in the United States Army some time between 1940 and 1944. Tomiyasu talks about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and witnessing changes in the city including hotel and casino construction and change in ownership. Tomiyasu describes transportation in Nevada and people moving to Las Vegas for job opportunities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Krystal Ramirez conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Barbara Tabach on October 30, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Krystal talks about her personal history growing up in Texas and spending summers with her family in Mexico. She shares her thoughts about how Las Vegas has changed and how she has contributed to the city's art scene as a staff photographer for Vegas Seven (a local magazine), the New York Times, and the Marjorie Barrick Museum.
Subjects discussed include: Texas; Chihuahua, Mexico; Latinx Identity; Vegas Seven; Beat Coffee House; Downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Norman Forsythe conducted by Bill Cunningham on March 04, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Forsythe discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and joining the City of Las Vegas and Clark County Fire Departments. He also goes into detail about fighting the fire at the El Rancho Vegas in 1960 and his responsibilities as a battalion chief. The interview concludes with Forsythe talking briefly about his family’s recreational activities and his experience as a baseball coach.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Agnes Marshall conducted by Claytee D. White on September 12, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Marshall discusses her family being one of the first families to move into Berkley Square, the first middle-class black housing development designed by Paul Williams. She also recounts her experiences with the nightlife in Las Vegas, Nevada during the heydays of Jackson Street, including clubs such as Cotton Club and Town Tavern, and restaurants like Mom's Kitchen.
Archival Collection