Oral history interview with Hildred Meidell conducted by Greg Abbott on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Meidell covers a range of topics about living in Las Vegas, Nevada, from her and her husband’s time as tourists in the city and their subsequent retirement to Las Vegas from Los Angeles, California. Meidell describes the Las Vegas Strip, the interstate and highway conditions between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, as well as their numerous visits to Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Moreover, she speaks about the changing layout of the city, the increase in shopping centers and department stores, and the clothing stores inside of hotels. Lastly, Meidell talks about the prominence of churches in local communities, the atomic testing program and the structural damages these tests caused in her neighborhood, and the influence of the railroad and passenger train on the town.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Orduno conducted by Rachel Masek on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Orduno discusses her job experience as a cocktail waitress at the Last Frontier Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the types of entertainment available to people in Las Vegas at the time. Orduno discusses her time as president of the Las Vegas City Council, when she held a fashion show for mental health awareness in which Wayne Newton performed. Orduno goes on to discuss her involvement with the Beta Sigma Phi sorority on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Chuck Degarmo conducted by Stefani Evans on January 13, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Also present during the interview was Po-Sun Chen. Degarmo discusses his childhood, his early interest in landscaping, and obtaining his Bachelors of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; with a concentration in Landscape Construction. Degarmo and Chen give their history in landscape construction, maintenance, development, and its intersection with ValleyCrest Landscape Development (now BrightView). They then explain how they landscaped some the largest hotel properties on the Las Vegas Strip, Summerlin Parkway, and Station Casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Allin Chandler conducted by Claytee D. White on February 05, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Chandler discusses being a member of Rancho High School's first graduating class of 1962, and his career as a teacher, a principal, and Executive Director for the Clark County Association of School Administrators.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Amalette Wilson conducted by Koh Swee Huat on May 10, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilson discusses Boulder City, Nevada and the Hoover (Boulder) Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Voris Perkins conducted by Elizabeth Patrick on November 12, 1983 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perkins discusses the business and methods of mining salt. Perkins later discusses his career as a farmer as well as the climate and environment in Nevada. Lastly, Perkins discusses working for the Clark County Road Department.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steve Johnson conducted by Fred Reagan on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Johnson discusses his exposure to African American racial discrimination and segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s to the 1970s. He discusses these experiences in markets, theaters, casinos, employment, and in common social interactions. Johnson also discusses the slow progression of social acceptance to racial integration and African Americans entering professional fields.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Gans conducted by Claytee D. White on January 30, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gans discusses working as an electrician and attending the Aviation Academy in Reno, Nevada and then as a flight instructor there. He also discusses working in measuring radioactivity from nuclear testing, working at the Clark County Sanitation, and at the Las Vegas, Nevada Convention and Visitors Authority as a vice president there.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jan Jones conducted by Dennis McBride on March 26, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Jones discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 and describes the car dealership commercials she was involved in with Kenny Kerr in the 1980s. Jones recalls the No Hate rallies that were organized in Nevada to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. She then talks about the backlash she received as Mayor of Las Vegas because of her support for the gay community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harry Block conducted by Mark McLane on February 24, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Block discusses recreational activities, his experience during World War II, early businesses and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Helldorado Parade, Block 16, atomic testing, changes in technology, and visiting Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection