Oral history interview with Martin A. Sherman conducted by his daughter, Marta Sherman, on March 17, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sherman discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Wichita, Kansas in 1957. Sherman discusses jobs he had, including police officer with the Henderson Police Department and as a locksmith. He also describes involvement with the United Commercial Travelers of America organization. Sherman also discusses how Las Vegas has changed and his own aspirations for himself and his business.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles F. Sells conducted by Noble B. Young on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sells describes his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sells discusses how Las Vegas has changed, the jobs he has held, and the death of his wife. Sells also discusses his enjoyment of going out with his wife to gamble at the casinos when he was younger, meeting Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, playing in a local softball team, and his business, an industrial laundry cleaning plant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary K. Rymer conducted by Mary Fitzgerald on May 04, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rymer discusses her career as a nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada, which began at Clark County Hospital. Rymer tells several anecdotes of her experiences during her career, and discusses how hospitals have changed and evolved in Las Vegas. Rymer goes on to discuss her short retirement from nursing, before returning to the profession after being hired as a nurse for the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lee Murialdo conducted by Kim Burco on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Murialdo discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada as it pertains to casinos and city growth. Murialdo describes the initial founding of the city and origins of the name "Las Vegas," entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip, and the different games available to play in casinos. Murialdo also describes the construction of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, as well as the construction of the Hoover (Boulder) Dam. Murialdo goes on to discuss her novel and why she decided to move to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Max Velasquez conducted by Janice F. Hurtubise on March 08, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Velasquez discusses his personal history as a construction worker in Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes the construction projects he worked on and the differences between 1950s construction and construction at the current time. Velasquez goes on to discuss the government regulations workers had to follow, how water pipelines were laid, and the types of equipment used in construction. Lastly, Velasquez talks about the bidding process for contractors and environmental changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harry Wham conducted by Martha Mast on March 07, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wham discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954 as an entertainer at the Silver Slipper Casino. Wham then talks about underwater diving and his experiences as a professional diver. Wham later recalls discovering jellyfish and other marine animals at Lake Mead during one of his diving trips. Lastly, Wham discusses the changes that Las Vegas went through, specifically changes in live entertainment around the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mara Vlaovich conducted by her grandson, Michael J. Vlaovich, on February 23, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Vlaovich discusses immigrating to Goldfield, Nevada in 1910 from the former Yugoslavia. Vlaovich describes life in Goldfield during the early twentieth century, as well as what the working conditions were like for miners. She talks about witnessing a major flood in Goldfield, which swept away houses and animals, as well as what childbirth was like in the rural town. Lastly, Vlaovich discusses moving to Tonopah, Nevada in 1918 and life there.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Erick Spiess conducted by Gretchen Spiess on June 29, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Spiess discusses the history of the Nevada Test Site, and briefly discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history. Spiess describes his career as the technical liaison at the Nevada Test Site working for EG & G, Inc. and the research performed there, including the model town built to observe the effects of a nuclear weapon on an urban area. Spiess goes on to discuss how Las Vegas residents reacted to the testing, and how Las Vegas has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jocelyn Oats conducted by Claytee D. White and John Grygo on November 30, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Oats discusses her family background and living in Las Vegas, Nevada since the mid 1950s. She describes the city at the time, the Baptist church community, and the church's influence on African Americans in West Las Vegas. Later, Oats talks about the issue of drugs in the Westside community and how it has affected members in her family. Lastly, Oats describes the African American experience in Las Vegas throughout her life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Esther Wolverton conducted by Karl Kuopus on February 25, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Wolverton discusses her move to southern Nevada in 1928 and her life in Las Vegas, Nevada with her family. She also talks about life with her husband after he returned from serving in World War I. Wolverton describes the entertainment in Las Vegas and recreational activities she participated in. Later, she discusses the first Helldorado Parade, development of the Las Vegas Strip, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
