Oral history interview with Edith Leavitt conducted by Enrico Mecina on February 07, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Leavitt talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from St. George, Utah for a teaching position in August of 1945. She discusses the history of the school district and racial integration of the school system.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise LeClair conducted by Dennis Luppens on March 21, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, LeClair talks about her family history in Nevada, and the flu epidemic of 1918. She specifically talks about Boulder (Hoover) Dam, Eldorado Fair, and how Las Vegas, Nevada has grown.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Janet Garry conducted by Elyse Rozinsky on February 24, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1952 to 1979. Garry recalls the early years of the television and the telephone. She also discusses her own personal experience of raising a family in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Warfel conducted by Dennis McBride on March 11, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Warfel discusses his personal history and his experiences as a gay priest within the Episcopal Church. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and interviewing for a ministry job at Christ Church. Warfel describes same-sex blessings and marriages in the Episcopal Church and the pressures of vestry approval that he dealt with during his career.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Debra Nutton conducted by David Schwartz on June 15, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Nutton discusses her career in gaming. She talks about working at the MGM Grand in 1976, going to dealing school, and becoming one of the first female craps dealers in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nutton remembers auditioning for various casino floors, her teachers, and becoming a floor manager. She then recalls the opening of the MGM Mirage, applying for a pit manager position there, and being hired as the only female pit manager in 1989. Later, Nutton describes the role of casino shift manager, handling issues with customers, and begin a casino manager for twelve years. Lastly, Nutton discusses her move to meeting Steve Wynn and becoming a casino manager for the Wynn.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hobert D. Blair conducted by Jay Brewer on April 20, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The interview covers the growth of Boulder City, Nevada from 1931 to 1975. Blair discusses his work history and the social activities available in Boulder City. Blair also talks about the development of Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Midge Innis conducted by James Thomas Griffin on May 8, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss her occupational history as well as how she met her husband. Innis discusses the changes inside casinos and gambling. The interview concludes with Innis’ thoughts on environmental and social changes in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maxine James conducted by Danny DiGiacomo on March 2, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. The two discuss the ease with which people could find jobs in early Las Vegas, Nevada. James talks about the Sahara, Thunderbird, and El Rancho casinos. The interview ends with a discussion on the rapid growth of the city in the 1950s and 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Juanita Kilburg conducted by Vicente Camacho on March 07, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kilburg discusses the Boulder (Hoover) Dam, McCarran International Airport, Nellis Air Force Base, living in Las Vegas, Nevada during the Great Depression, and casinos. The interview concludes with a discussion on her work with the American Legion service organization.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don E. Hayden conducted by Steve Cohen on March 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview offers a historical overview of the education system in Nevada. Don also discusses gambling, the early atomic tests, the first hospitals built in Las Vegas, and offers his own personal account on home and family life in Nevada.
Archival Collection
