Oral history interview with Allen Sanders conducted by Julius Jones on July 06, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sanders discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943 in search of job opportunities. Sanders then recalls life in Las Vegas during World War II and describes the population increase after the war. Later, Sanders describes changes in the economy, society, and environment of Las Vegas, specifically the increase of hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert F. Gilbert conducted by Rosemary Howe on February 2, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gilbert first talks about his educational background in Las Vegas, Nevada. He then talks about his political involvement, activity in social clubs, early air conditioning, and the illegal production of whiskey. He also talks about the Helldorado Parade, railroad activity, and early policing practices in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marcus Mason conducted by Leon Green on February 04, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Mason talks about his childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada, his parents’ past occupations, and how his religious upbringing influenced his career choices as an adult.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christina Frausto conducted by Claytee D. White on November 16, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Frausto discusses her personal history, her career as an artist, and owning an art gallery in Boulder City, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her involvement with Desert Sculptures, the Boulder City Preservation Committee, and the Historic Boulder City Foundation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Samuel Smith conducted by Claytee White on June 17, 2011 and June 22, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Smith discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978 and working as a fire inspector until he retired in 2003. He also discusses organizing free reading and math classes to help people prepare for the firefighter exam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betsy Rhodes conducted by Melinda McGeorge Thompson on February 24, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Betsy Rhodes shares a brief personal history before discussing her move to Las Vegas with her husband Leonard in 1958. She talks about her husband's dental profession, her children, and life in the early 1960s in Las Vegas. Rhodes shares details of her volunteering work with the Junior League and Assistance League of Las Vegas, detailing the groups' evolving missions, member counts, and trials faced to raise funds.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lovey McCurdy conducted by Greg McCurdy on March 19, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lovey recalls arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951, meeting white people in Las Vegas, Nevada, the atomic bomb testing, and other aspects of being part of the African American community during the 1950s and 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Mather conducted by Ed Bussard on February 09, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mather discusses living in Boulder City, Nevada, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada after his military service, and later discusses additional work experience. He also touches upon his political views, his opinion on gambling, and changes in Las Vegas over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Kim conducted by Kristel Peralta, Cecilia Winchell, Ayrton Yamaguchi, and Vanessa Concepcion on March 05, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Kim describes his career in law. He talks about his Korean roots, the model minority myth, and experiencing racial discrimination. Lastly, Kim discusses the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, his involvement with the Asian Bar Association of Las Vegas, and the importance of electing Asian Americans into political positions.
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Oral history interview with Helen Morelli conducted by Jerry Masini on March 06, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Morelli discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history, concerts at the Cashman stadium, and the Desert Inn.
Archival Collection