Oral history interview with D. L. Newell conducted by Paula Sue Curry on February 26, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Newell describes life in Henderson, Nevada during the 1950s and how the city has changed. Newell discusses the companies that established chemical and metal plants in Henderson, how the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada affected Henderson, and the history of gambling in Southern Nevada. He also talks about mining, medical care available in Henderson, local celebrations, and pollution caused by chemical and metal plants.
Oral history interview with Cleona Sorenson and Theona Ohlson conducted by Fred F. Aldrich on March 04, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Cleona and Theona discuss growing up in Mesquite, Nevada and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. The two then describe life during World War II, the increase of tourism in southern Nevada, and the significance gambling has to the growth of the Las Vegas economy.
Phil Tobin with neighbor Jack Summers at an unknown location. Mountains are visible in the background. In 1931, as a freshman Assemblyman, Phil Tobin introduced a bill to legalize gambling in Nevada. A Humboldt County rancher and buckaroo, the 29-year old had no interest in gambling himself. Instead, he correctly believed legalized gambling would benefit the public and especially schools thanks to tax revenues. At the time, illicit gambling houses were thriving in Las Vegas, and with Hoover Dam slated to begin construction 40 miles away, many feared the increased Federal presence associated with the Dam construction effort would lead to a clamp-down. The measure passed. After serving out his term, Tobin returned to ranch life for good.
On March 9, 1981, Laura Button interviewed Sam Earl (born 1912 in Virgin, Utah) about his life in Nevada. Also present during the interview is Sam’s wife, Melissa Earl. The three discuss a wide range of topics from the early development of Las Vegas, Sam’s work on the Boulder Dam, the Earls’ early residence in a tent, and the family’s religious participation. The interview also covers gambling, Block 16, the first members of the police force, recreational activities, and the Helldorado parade. Sam also talks about his work as a building contractor, including some of the buildings and casino properties he helped build, and the interview moves to a discussion of the development of the Las Vegas Strip. The interview concludes with Sam’s description of his work as a truck driver and a discussion on welfare benefits.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Gaming Web Archive is comprised of archived websites collected since 2016 that represent gaming and gambling organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada and around the world. Websites in this collection represent casino hotels, lotteries, gaming commissions, and investor relations for various organizations including the Nevada Resort Association, Caesars Entertainment, Genting, MGM, Ainsworth Game Technology, and the North American Gaming Regulators Association.
On March 6, 1981, Mark Milford interviewed Owen Earl Cox (born 1909 in Bunkerville, Nevada) about his experiences growing up in and working in Nevada. Cox first talks about his early moves to and from Nevada and his work in road construction in the 1930s. He then discusses his work of machinery at the Basic Magnesium Plant and some of his experiences during that time. Cox also talks about his family, the Mormon Church, the growth of population, and the increase in tourism. He later describes managing a store he owned known as Vegas Village and the types and prices of the products that were sold there. The end of the interview involves a discussion of crime, Cox’s hobby of cattle ranching, and his views on the growth of Las Vegas.