Oral history interview with Kenneth Johann conducted by Gloria Banks on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Johann discusses the origin of his business and early land prices in Southern Nevada. Johann also explains the history of his investments and how land development progressed in Las Vegas, Nevada from the 1950s onward.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nell Jeffers conducted by Yatska Aldarondo on February 26, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jeffers discusses her work as the student and faculty counselor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also discusses some of the hardships of living in a desert, as well as her plans to move into private psychiatric practice.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Saul Wesley conducted by David Schwartz on January 13, 2017 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Wesley discusses the distinction between the roles of a director and of a vice president in slot management. He also describes how the slot department works within various casinos such as the MGM Grand Hotel (now Bally’s) and the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Boyle conducted by Meghan Boyle on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Boyle discusses the changes in air travel over the years and his profession as a pilot. He also discuss improvements in Las Vegas, Nevada roads over the years, the rise in crime rates, and the impacts on changes in the economy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Walter Dane conducted by Ann K. Clark on March 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Dane discusses relocating to Indian Springs in 1930 before settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1943, then moving to Utah in 1968. Dane also covers the growth and development of the Las Vegas and Indian Springs areas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Wittwer conducted by Perry Kaufman on May 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kaufman discusses living in Santa Clara, Utah and describes families from Switzerland migrating there as converts to the Latter-Day Saints Church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard W. Dieleman conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on October 21, 2025 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Dieleman describes his childhood and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada at age two so his father could work on building Hoover Dam. He recalls growing up in Boulder City, people watching on Fremont Street, and the yearly Helldorado parades. His father later started Jake's Crane and Rigging, which led Dieleman to work primarily in crane operation services. As a teenager and young adult, he recalls helping his father with work at Area 51. The work was top secret and Dieleman remembers seeing the SR-71 "Blackbird" flying in and out. After years of working for his father's company, Dieleman started his own crane company in the 1980s. He recalls helping work on the Sahara Hotel, Fremont Street, and Paris Hotel. He discusses some notable construction companies in Las Vegas, including Las Vegas Paving, Wells Cargo, and JA Tiberti. The interview concludes with Dieleman talking about the rapid expansion of Las Vegas. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Frommer conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 12, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Frommer discusses his early life in New York. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994, his employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as a campus planner, and his work in the area along Maryland Parkway sometimes referred to as "Midtown UNLV.". Frommer then recalls building planning for the newest UNLV buildings, the construction of Allegiant Stadium, and his work refining UNLV buildings. Lastly, Frommer discusses the idea of a UNLV campus hotel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward Vance conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Vance discusses his upbringing in Redfield, South Dakota. He talks about his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987, teaching architectural drawing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and the first projects he worked on in Las Vegas. Vance describes the financial aspects of architecture, the challenges of meeting building regulations, and benefits that new buildings bring to city life. Lastly, Vance discusses founding Ed Vance & Associates Architects.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Herbst conducted by Stefani Evans on August 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Herbst discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois, and his father’s chain of service stations, Terrible Herbst. He remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, taking ownership of his father’s company, and expanding the business to California and Arizona. Herbst recalls a shortage of fuel during the early 1970s, how service station owners dealt with the shortage, and converting service stations to be self-serve. Lastly, Herbst discusses the ideal location for service stations, and adjusting fuel prices.
Archival Collection
