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 Gertrude Rudiak conducted by Claytee White on January 11th, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gertrude Rudiak was a local civil rights pioneer, wife of George Rudiak, and has lived in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1943. She raised her five children in Las Vegas and was active in the Jewish community. In her interview Rudiak discusses Jewish life and culture in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Martin conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 13, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Martin discusses his early life in Montana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. He recalls his initial interests in carpentry, his employment at the Nevada Test Site, and co-founding his business, Martin-Harris Construction. Martin describes building custom homes, cooperating with architectural firms on a project, and the relationship built between building owners and the construction company. Later, Martin discusses the innovation of technology and its use on the construction site. Lastly, Martin talks about the differences in working for corporations and private owners.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise Kirkwood conducted by Richard Probst on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Kirkwood discusses her life in Southern Nevada and her experience with navigating Las Vegas, Nevada as streets and buildings, home values, and living expenses changed over time. Kirkwood also discusses the energy crisis of the 1970s and the resulting gasoline rationing; the growth of the Strip, and pollution caused by atomic testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jim Bonaventure conducted by Claytee D. White on September 09, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bonaventure discusses the Culinary Union Local 226, the value of workers academy, failure of African-American integration on the Las Vegas Strip, and general life in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frances Farnsworth conducted by an unknown collector on May 27, 1982 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Farnsworth discusses her role as a founding member of the Mesquite Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Farnsworth also discusses how members would go out to the community and recruit women to join the club.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen D. Newman conducted by Keri Morgan on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Newman discusses her early life and why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses changes in the city from housing developments to growth in education due to the construction of additional schools and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also discusses the construction of new hotels and resorts. Newman later describes the growth of the Girl Scouts in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Doris Evans conducted by Lance Kenny on March 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Doris Evans discusses real estate, local hotels, early transportation, and social recreation. She also talks about nuclear testing, crime, environmental changes, and marriage and family life in Boulder City, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dean Ishman conducted by Claytee D. White on July 02, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Dean Ishman discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995, becoming the President of the Las Vegas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 2003, and reorganizing the NAACP when he was president. He also discusses the numerous fundraisers he attended, Freedom Fund banquets, the Suave Lopez shooting, and efforts to recruit Hispanic people to the NAACP during his presidency.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Warner conducted by James E. Guessman on October 27, 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Warner discusses arriving to Southern Nevada in 1925 and recalls personal experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada. Warner then discusses city growth and changes, including the development of Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Warner shares his opinions on the future of Las Vegas' economics and local government.
Archival Collection