Search Results

Oral history interview with Bill Lamb conducted by Roger Barnhart on June 29, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lamb was born in August 22, 1943 in Henderson, Nevada. In the interview, he talks about his experiences moving around Northern Nevada due to his father's mining job. Lamb also discusses his education, family, military service, work in Las Vegas, Nevada casinos, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Oral history interview with Nanyu (Nelson) Tomiyasu conducted by Samantha Kerwin on April 30, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tomiyasu discuses life, changes, and politics in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tomiyasu also talks about the organizations he was a part of, including The Southern Nevada Landscaping Contractors Association, and The Southern Nevada Urban League. The interview concludes with Tomiyasu recalling the above ground atomic test, and World War II.

Oral history interview with Harry F. Spargo conducted by James M. Greene on October 14, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Spargo discusses his career as a miner. Spargo describes life as the son of a miner before following in his father's footsteps, becoming a miner himself, and working in the mines of the American West. Spargo goes on to describe arriving in Goldfield, Nevada in 1911, before moving on to other areas in Nevada mining precious metals for various companies.

Oral history interview with Melville Smith conducted by Karl Kuopus on February 17, 1977 and February 23, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith describes his career working for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada in the Planning and Development Department. Smith discusses city planning, how Las Vegas has changed, and housing in the city. Smith also talks about nuclear weapons tests, his children, and why he moved to Las Vegas.

Oral history interview with Jennilee Thayer conducted by Claytee D. White on August 12, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thayer discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 when it was still a mining town. She describes early Henderson, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and recalls her father’s employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant. Lastly, Thayer discusses her employment in show production, atomic bomb testing, and changes in Las Vegas.

Oral history interview with Don Welch conducted by his daughter, Kelly Welch, on March 15, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Welch discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada, including being raised in Las Vegas and life in the city during the 1930s. He describes how Las Vegas and the surrounding areas have grown and changed, his education, and the construction of casinos and other important buildings.

Oral history interview with Vernon G. Stockall conducted by Stephanie Aylward on February 11, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Stockall discusses arriving to Pioche, Nevada in 1935 as a miner. Stockall then describes the early aboveground atomic tests that were done at the Nevada Test Site. Stockall later shares his thoughts on the growth of gaming in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stockall also recalls the growth of Boulder City, Nevada and the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam.