Oral history interview with Evelyn Conerly conducted by Claytee D. White on March 11, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Conerly discusses her early life in Tallulah, Louisiana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1970. She remembers the Helldorado parade, participating in a letter exchange program, and school integration. Lastly, Conerly talks about her involvement with Les Femmes Douze, and her career in banking.
Oral history interview with Jack Herst conducted by Suzan DiFederico on March 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Herst talks about the population growth in Nevada and emphasizes the significant changes that Las Vegas, Nevada has experienced from its origins as a small town. Herst also discusses his personal family history, his Jewish identity, community affiliations, and his career as a card dealer and broker at different casinos.
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.
Oral history interview with Sonny Thomas conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 28, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Thomas discusses getting his first funeral home job at the age of 16, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, his series of hotel jobs, and being part of the opening staff of MGM Grand Hotel. Thomas later talks about getting into the funeral industry and the various corporate buyouts of local funeral homes. He later discusses the tradition of African American funerals and his thoughts about segregation in Las Vegas during the 1960s.
Oral history interview with Louis A. Tabat conducted by Jo Anne Marshall on March 30, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tabat discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tabat describes being stationed at Nellis Air Force Base and searching for housing in Henderson, Nevada because of lack of housing in Las Vegas. He also describes his television repair business, how Las Vegas has developed and changed, and life in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Lastly, he talks about nuclear testing, being a constable for the North Las Vegas Township, and his religious affiliations.
Oral history interview with Myrtle Cheel conducted by an unknown interviewer on February 02, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, Mrs. Cheel discusses education in the Las Vegas, Nevada Valley. She also discusses social, economic and environmental changes, particularly the rapid transformation and growth of Las Vegas from a small town to a major metropolis.
Oral history interview with Robert “Bob” Brown conducted by Ian McLaughlin on February 23, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brown discusses his background in the food business working for various hotels and restaurants in the city. Brown discusses some of the developments of the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, including the opening and closing of various casinos, as well as issues relating to the increasing crime rate, rise in air pollution, and growth in population in the city. Brown also mentions some of the entertainers from the Strip such as Wayne Newton and Frank Sinatra, and he describes the various recreational activities available to Las Vegans in and around the city. The interview concludes with Brown’s discussion about how means of transportation have evolved and how the city has grown since he moved to Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Morgan J. Sweeny conducted by James M. Greene on September 20, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Sweeny discusses Boulder City, Nevada and the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
Oral history interview with Marjorie Barrick conducted by Mary Beth Nitzschke on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas.In this interview Barrick discusses the sociological view of Nevadans in the gaming industry. Barrick also discusses the beginnings of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas history, founding Child Haven, a center for abused and neglected children, owning the Flamingo Hotel and Casino and the Fremont Hotel, and the lack of cultural activities in the 1950s.
Oral history interview with Edith Leavitt conducted by Enrico Mecina on February 07, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Leavitt talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from St. George, Utah for a teaching position in August of 1945. She discusses the history of the school district and racial integration of the school system.