Oral history interview with Irwin Molasky conducted by A. D. Hopkins on June 08, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In the interview, Molasky discusses his early life in Ohio and moving around the United States before settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951. He then talks about his company, the Molasky Group of Companies, and projects the company had been associated with. One project Molasky focuses on is the design and opening of Sunrise Hospital in 1958, located in Las Vegas. He recalls Nevada Senator Howard Cannon cutting the ribbon for the hospital's opening, as well as business partners for the hospital including Allard Rowan, Morris Barney "Moe" Dalitz, and Roy Cohn. Other Las Vegas projects Molasky discusses include the Boulevard Mall, Paradise Palms housing community, and the Bank of America Plaza near Fremont Street. Molasky also talks about a vocational outreach project he helped develop at the Irwin & Susan Molasky Junior High School. Lastly, Molasky talks about his personal hobbies and Las Vegas's urban growth.
Oral history interview with Wing Fong conducted by Risota Villanueva Lee on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fong discusses the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, small businesses, minorities, Chinese philosophy on education, and growth in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Lucille Wright conducted by Cheryl Reed on February 23, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wright talks about her personal life and experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wright also talks about her experiences as a school teacher in the mid 1950s, teacher pay, and school activities.
Oral history interview with Russell K. Grater conducted by Frederick Dougan on February 10, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Grater first talks about his move to the Southern Nevada area and his work that impacted the Hoover (Boulder) Dam project. He then talks about the town of St. Thomas, Nevada, the Lost City, and the activities of tourists. Grater also talks about his work in excavation, the indigenous American Indian tribes of the area, findings on petroglyphs, and the types of wildlife that were found in the area. He later talks about findings related to fossils, gold mining, the effects of World War II on the Hoover Dam project, and vegetation in the area.
Oral history interview with Hank Gordon conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 26, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gordon discusses the first shopping center that he built in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1988. He also talks about the issues with building commercial and retail in Las Vegas. He then talks about his term on the Las Vegas City Planning Commission.
Oral history interview with Ann K. Johnson conducted by Wanda Cortés on March 03, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johnson discusses her educational and occupational history, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada’s population growth during the 1970s.
Oral history interview with Craig Galati conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 24, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Galati talks about his parents’ decision to move from Ohio to Nevada and what it was like growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1960s. He recalls his first jobs as a teenager in Las Vegas, and his studies in architecture at the University of Idaho. He recounts the dilemma of struggling to find architecture work he enjoyed and how that goal drew him back to Las Vegas. He describes various projects in his portfolio from his early years to his most recent projects. Galati describes the work he has done at Aliante Hotel and Casino and the renovation of Lied Library at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lastly, he speaks highly of his partnership with Ray Lucchesi and the basis for their vision. Digital audio and transcript available.
Oral history interview with Frank Rist conducted by William F. Vornholt on May 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rist discusses his personal history working as a musician and owning a bar in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rist also describes the development of Las Vegas over the years and the distinctions between the different casinos and shows.
Oral history interview with Charles Brinker conducted by Doug Coombs on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brinker discusses his experiences living in Southern Nevada and his career in carpentry. Brinker also discusses his background in watch repair, his move to Las Vegas, Nevada from West Virginia, his experiences in homesteading, grocery shopping in early Las Vegas, the building of his house for his family, and his various jobs and projects as a carpenter.
Oral history interview with Johnny Griffin conducted by Claytee D. White on September 13, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Griffin discusses his personal history and working at an all-white country club as a golf caddy. He recalls receiving a golf scholarship to Jackson State University, and describes starting a junior golf program at Craig Ranch Park in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Later, Griffin discusses his senior golf tour and the history of black golfing in Las Vegas.