Guests at the Sands playing craps on a floating table in the pool. Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Floating craps table - Customers at the Sands Hotel escape the heat by gambling in the pool. About 2200 guests tried this in 1954." Stamped on original: "Desert Sea News Bureau. Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Don English - Dave Lees - Joe Buck." Site Name: Sands Hotel Address: 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
The William Thompson Collection on International Gaming dates from 1928 to 2016. The collection materials relate to gaming in the British Isles, Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and North America. The collection contains travel brochures, memorabilia, research notes for William Thompson’s published works, reports on gaming statistics, and photographs and slides from his research trips. Materials also include Thompson's personal collection of gaming industry specific magazines, law review journals, and books with Thompson's personal annotations.
Anthony Robone interviews Bill Armstrong (born in Kentucky in 1921) in Armstrong’s apartment complex about his experiences in Las Vegas. Robone asks a variety of questions relating to Armstrong’s bootlegging in Kentucky before he arrived in Las Vegas, his involvement with the Las Vegas Dealers, the weather as it relates to other parts of the country, the impacts of the work of Howard Hughes on the town, the construction of Hoover Dam, the above ground atomic testing, the growth of Las Vegas and tourism, changes in gambling habits for the next generation, and the social and recreational activities residents took part in.
Oral history interview with Gerald Price conducted by Mike Labrum on October 23, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Price discusses his personal history and experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes his career as a dealer in casinos, prominent celebrities visiting Las Vegas, and his recreational activities. Price also talks about nuclear weapons tests, how Las Vegas has changed, and gambling.
Oral history interview with Richard E. Schroeder conducted by Richard Harrah on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schroeder discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951 to work as a carpenter for the Desert Inn. Schroeder then describes changes in Las Vegas, gambling, and the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, he discusses the history of some of the hotels and casinos on Fremont Street.
On May 8, 1976, James Thomas Griffin interviewed former casino dealer Midge Innis (born September 23rd, 1928 in Neligh, Nebraska) in her apartment in Las Vegas, Nevada about her life in Southern Nevada. The two discuss her occupational history as well as how she met her husband. The interview concludes Innis’ thoughts on environmental and social shifts in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Ellen Lempe conducted by Paul Pearson on March 23, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lempe discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952 and recalls her experiences as a telephone operator. Lempe then discusses the various recreational activities that Las Vegas, Nevada had to offer.