Oral history interview with Suzette Cox conducted by Lance Cooper on March 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Suzette Cox discusses working at the Las Vegas Sun, a local newspaper, as a deputy sheriff, and at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a secretary. She also talks about living in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Las Vegas Strip, gambling, recreational activities, atomic testing, the Mormon Fort, and how Las Vegas has changed over the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Al McDaniels conducted by Rodney Goosby on February 28, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McDaniels discusses his personal history and his education at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). McDaniels later discusses the significance that sports had throughout his life and his job as a sports coach at UNLV. McDaniel then recalls the changes in social structure throughout Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sally Halko conducted by Roberta Farmer on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Halko first talks about her family background, education, traveling, and church membership. She later talks about the development of Las Vegas, Nevada casinos, racial minorities, housing growth, Lake Mead, and the first theaters.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward Gregory conducted by Jonathan R. Bellingar on March 2, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gregory discusses leaving Nevada to serve in the Army during World War II before eventually returning to Nevada in 1950. The interview concludes with a brief overview of how Nellis Air force Base has changed since the 1950s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ronnie Bank conducted by Lael Byrd on November 30, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Bank discusses his personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his employment at the Las Vegas Hilton (currently Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino) and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Bank then describes nightlife and entertainment on the Strip in the 1980s, discrimination at night clubs, and West Las Vegas entertainment. He goes on to describe the riots following Rodney King’s death, the challenges with interracial relationships, and why families began moving away from the Westside. Lastly, Bank discusses working as a disc jockey (DJ) in Las Vegas, African American radio stations, and the development of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Max Velasquez conducted by Janice F. Hurtubise on March 08, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Velasquez discusses his personal history as a construction worker in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes the construction projects he worked on and the differences between 1950s construction and construction at the current time. Velasquez goes on to discuss the government regulations workers had to follow, how water pipelines were laid, and the types of equipment used in construction. Lastly, Velasquez talks about the bidding process for contractors and environmental changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Michael Howe conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on July 05, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Howe discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Huntridge neighborhood. He talks about joining the Las Vegas Department of Planning in 2007, projects he has been a part of, and involving the community when development planning. Howe describes the master planning for Downtown area of Las Vegas, public-private partnerships, and the idea of sustainability in public spaces. Lastly, Howe discusses the importance of developing transportation accommodations in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron Slack conducted by John Wolf on February 19, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Slack discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 in search of job opportunities. He then recalls being drafted into the United States Army. He ends by describing his work as a slot manager at the Golden Nugget and the duties associated with the job.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lonnie Pittman conducted by Beverly Williams on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pittman, an African American man, describes the treatment and living conditions of African Americans in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s. Pittman also discusses the job opportunities available to African Americans, segregation, and the quality of schooling available to African American children at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kathryn Howell conducted by Joyce Marshall on March 21, 2003 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Howell discusses her early life in Texas and growing up on a ranch. She talks about her career as a teacher, teaching strategies she used, and the importance of classroom management.
Archival Collection