Oral history interview with David Pearl conducted by Joseph A. Hawk on March 14, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pearl begins by describing life in Las Vegas, Nevada and how it has changed since the 1940s. Pearl discusses his history organizing community sports events, as well as organizing a game with the national Russian basketball team and other exhibition events for American sports teams. He then talks about his career as the executive director of the Runnin' Rebels Club at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and how he raised money for the athletics department. Pearl also talks about his other jobs, his interest in athletics, being a referee for boxing matches, and the Helldorado Parades.
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 James Matson conducted by Ken Rose on February 23, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Matson discusses his early life in Pensacola, Florida and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work in resort and housing construction in 1952. Matson also discusses his family, his part-time work as a personal security guard, and the growth of Las Vegas. Lastly, he discusses African American racial discrimination and economic opportunities in Las Vegas in the 1950s to the 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Nancy Deaner conducted by Claytee D. White on June 05, 2018 and June 11, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Deaner talks about her upbringing in Reno, Nevada and in Las Vegas, Nevada. She remembers her father’s career in gaming, and her employment at the Mint Casino and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Later, Deaner talks about her involvement with the Shade Tree, her role as the Las Vegas Cultural Affairs Director, and public art in Las Vegas. In the second interview, Deaner discusses working with the Neon Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, and the Arts District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gertrude Naegle conducted by Jeff Bradshaw on March 31, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Naegle recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada after buying a gas-filling station. She also discusses the above ground atomic testing, The Old Fort, and visits by President John F. Kennedy and Howard Hughes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rachel Coleman conducted by Claytee White on July 24, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Rachel Coleman discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada and her first job in town, washing glasses at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. She continues speaking about her work experience including how she was promoted to executive housekeeper at the Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino in 1969. She then talks about how she became a representative for the Culinary Union Local 226 in 1973, how she became department head of the Union in 1981, and her experience running for Union president in 1987. Finally, Coleman recalls the atmosphere of Las Vegas from the 1960s through the 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stanley Paher conducted by Claytee D. White on March 20, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Paher recalls his childhood, being born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. His family built and owned the Gateway Auto Court, now the Gateway Motel, at the corner of Las Vegas and Charleston Boulevards. After a brief period serving in the United States Navy and obtaining a bachelor's degree, Paher entered the master's program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Paher discusses his love of researching and writing about Nevada ghost towns, including writing his first book on the subject in 1970. He recalls seeing the physical book on the printing press, and talks about the profound impact that moment had on his life. It led to the founding of Nevada Publications, and his involvement with 59 Las Vegas and northern Nevada authors from 1970 through 2023. Paher has written fifteen books on Nevada, Arizona, and California.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brian Cram conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 28, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Cram discusses his early life as a native Nevadan from Caliente, Nevada. He recalls growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada attending Fifth Street Elementary School and Las Vegas High School. Cram also talks about his career as Clark County School District (CCSD) Superintendent from 1989 to 2000.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elsie Whipple conducted by Hugo A. Cascos Jr. on March 22, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Whipple discusses Southern Nevada history and recalls the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Whipple also recalls the first hotels and casinos to open on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, and her work as a missionary with the Mormon Church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sara P. Denton conducted by Claytee D. White on July 13, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Denton discusses her work in charity activities in Boulder City, Nevada, especially Art in the Park. She also talks about working on political campaigns for Howard Cannon, Grant Sawyer, and Alan Bible in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection