Oral history interview with Al Levy conducted by Cheryl Caples and Martha Zehnder on February 23, 1979 and March 8, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Levy discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history, notably Jewish discrimination in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Suda conducted by Eileen Green on March 03, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Suda describes life in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942, where he was sent for military training during World War II. He discusses the history of the Las Vegas Flexible Gunnery School which was located in what became Indian Springs, Nevada, and the establishment of Nellis Air Force Base. He talks about recreational activities in Las Vegas, including listing different entertainers and casinos that were present at the time.
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 Randy Gangwer conducted by Thomas Hardy on May 17, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gangwer discusses the importance of gambling, above ground atomic tests, and Southern Nevada’s economic, environmental, and social changes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Laughlin conducted by A. D. Hopkins on June 13, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview, Laughlin discusses his early life in Minnesota, his start in gambling, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952. Laughlin describes how he started his business including the process of obtaining licenses and buying property. Lastly, Laughlin talks about gaming competition in Arizona, his children, and his business' expansion.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Woodrow Wilson conducted by Elizabeth Patrick on October 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wilson discusses some roles he took on in the African American community, including president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Las Vegas, Nevada chapter. Wilson also talks about politics and the importance of the community to make changes in their living conditions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard E. Buchanan conducted by Gary Gekakis on March 07, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview, Buchanan discusses growing up in Southern Nevada and his occupational experience, including working as a construction worker, maintenance worker and warehouseman.
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 Jinx Cochrell conducted by Delroy Shigematsu on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cochrell discusses the United States Navy, airports, Howard Hughes, the entertainment industry, Mount Charleston, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, her career as a secretary at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the mob.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Kopczak conducted by Claytee D. White on September 04, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kopczak begins the interview by discussing his family history and personal history in the United States Air Force before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife in the 1980s. He then describes his career working for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a storekeeper for Lied Library, explaining his job duties and how the university has changed since he began working there. Lastly, Kopczak also talks about various library employees and administrators he has worked with, and life in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection