Oral history interviews with David London conducted by Joyce Moore on March 10, 1998, March 18, 1998, and March 24, 1998 for the Arnold Shaw Oral History Project in Las Vegas Entertainers. In these interviews, London discusses his early life and career as a singer. He remembers working at the Riviera Hotel, singing on a cruise line, and deciding to change his last name. Later, London talks about entertainment in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gary Pratt conducted by Ron Reda on March 16, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pratt discusses the growth of early Southern Nevada. He talks about population growth, economic changes, and crime in early Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Mortenson conducted by Claytee D. White on May 06, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mortenson discusses Cygnus Scientific, a consultation firm specializing in nuclear, radiological, and environmental issues. She goes on to describe the Ice Age Park Foundation, managing her husband’s political campaign, and her archaeological pursuits. Later, Mortenson discusses her discovery of a Shasta ground sloth at Devils Peak, Nevada in 1990.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bertha Gresh conducted by James M. Greene on November 01, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gresh discusses the early mining days, her personal history, and the history of Nelson County, Nevada. She also discusses her art, social activities, and the prizes she won as a visual artist in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Susan Cowan conducted by Andres Moses on January 31, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Susan Cowan discusses growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, and always enjoying tap dancing. She then discusses working as a secretary at the University of Colorado-Boulder and becoming the lead administrator for the chemistry department there. She also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and getting involved with the local tap dancing community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carole Vilardo conducted by Derek Armstrong and Claytee D. White on August 11, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Vilardo discusses the implementation of a sales tax to further fund education in Nevada. She then describes her first legislative session in 1973 and describes Nevada property taxes. Later, Vilardo explains the significance of taxes and how changes in tax rates are made. Lastly, Vilardo recalls lobbying for certain bills and explains the tax structure in Nevada at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with LaVaun Hendrix conducted by Judy Laliberte on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss how Hendrix originally came to Nevada, her occupational history, and differences between the school system in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hendrix explains how a changing school system has affected her job as a teacher and her students. She goes on to talk about the above-ground atomic tests, Helldorado, changes to the desert, and Nevada during World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Wyman conducted by Kenneth B. Manoff on March 12, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wyman discusses working at the Nevada Test Site and his involvement with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Engineering Department.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nick Perrone conducted by Claytee D. White on March 08, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Perrone discusses his family background and growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts. Perrone talks about working in a country club as a golf caddy, joining the United Stated Navy, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. He recalls his employment for the Sands Hotel, becoming a bellman, and the influence of organized crime within the casino industry. Perrone describes transferring to Caesars Palace, working closely with celebrities, and changes in the casino industry. Lastly, Perrone discusses the October 1 shooting.
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