Oral history interview with Fred O. Wharton conducted by William B. Stabler on March 10, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wharton describes the United States Air Force base in Tonopah, Nevada that was used to train B-29 bomber pilots during World War II. He also describes mining in Tonopah and in the greater Nye County, Nevada area, including what kinds of metals they mined and the processes used to extract them. Lastly, Wharton discusses the history of the railroads in Nye County, living in rural Nevada, and how Tonopah has changed.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Roy Waite conducted by Dale Haley in approximately 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Waite begins by discussing his athleticism, being a part of the first basketball team in Las Vegas, Nevada, and his general store in Bunkerville, Nevada. Waite lists the different social organizations and boards he was affiliated with, describes the arrival of the railroads, and the ranch he used to own near Bunkerville. He talks about the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) and how Southern Nevada has changed socially and environmentally. Waite also discusses smelting lead for bullets and relocating Native American remains away from a grave site that would be submerged by Lake Mead.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul M. Lytle conducted by James Greene on December 19, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Lytle discusses moving to Boulder City, Nevada in 1936 to work as a Boulder (Hoover) Dam guide. Lytle also discusses his early life moving around Nevada, his family, his experiences with railroad freight cars, Boulder Highway's road conditions and roadside stores, and his service in the United States Army during World War II.
Archival Collection
The David Bedford Photograph Collection (approximately 1980-1984) is comprised of twenty color photographic prints that depict the Las Vegas, Nevada Ice House, which was constructed to aid transportation of perishable goods for the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dan Bennett conducted by Guy Pence on October 03, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview Bennett talks about the visits from presidents and other important people to the Las Vegas, Nevada area and discusses the 1942 plane crash of Carole Lombard’s plane. He also mentions Boulder Dam and describes the economic, social and environmental changes that have taken place in Southern Nevada over the years.
Archival Collection
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The First Methodist Church Photograph Collection (approximately 1909-1912) contains black-and-white photographic prints and corresponding negatives of the Las Vegas train depot, railroad yards, and the First Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also included are portraits of Reverend Edwin A. Palmer and his family.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Evelyn Peralto conducted by Richard Byrnes on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Peralto discusses her knowledge on railroads and the development of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James W. Ault conducted by Patricia K. Kohlman on November 06, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ault discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1940 to 1975 and his career as a railroad engineer.
Archival Collection
