Archival Component
Oral history interview with Leslie H. Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on November 02, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses his life in Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls anecdotes of the city during the 1950s and 1960s, growing up near downtown Las Vegas, and the influence of organized crime. Smith talks about starting a construction contracting firm and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Mortenson conducted by Claytee D. White on May 06, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mortenson discusses Cygnus Scientific, a consultation firm specializing in nuclear, radiological, and environmental issues. She goes on to describe the Ice Age Park Foundation, managing her husband’s political campaign, and her archaeological pursuits. Later, Mortenson discusses her discovery of a Shasta ground sloth at Devils Peak, Nevada in 1990.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruby Thomas conducted by Craig Hawkins on October 05, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Thomas discusses her career as a teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada and being member of the Retired Teachers Association. She then describes social and environmental changes, and the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Lastly, Thomas recalls the population growth and casino development in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roy Brown conducted by Rick Godwin on May 21, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview Brown discusses his career as a hairstylist, celebrities he has styled, and the growth of the haircutting industry in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dewitt Tracht conducted by Jay Brewer on April 30, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tracht discusses business in Southern Nevada and how the business market expanded and developed in his lifetime. Tracht lastly talks about the early techniques of advertisement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Howard Warner conducted by Virginia Lacouture on July 04, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Warner discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada as a special agent with the intelligence division of the United States Department of the Treasury. Warner then describes the expansion of businesses as the population increased in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joan Johnson conducted by Kim Geary on March 25, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johnson discusses her personal history and her reasons for originally moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Johnson recalls early Las Vegas entertainment, as well as the development of businesses and their unions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bob Campagna conducted by Kathleen Neumann on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bob (Bobby) Campagna (b. September 18, 1950 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania) talks about the history of Nevada. During the interview, Bobby discusses hotels, schools, city recreation, and Lorenzi Park. He also describes relocating to Las Vegas, his goals in life, and his life in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elmer Grayson conducted by Keith Baldwin on March 09, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grayson discusses atomic testing, education, the Old Frontier Casinos, and African-American entertainers in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection