Abstract
The Jacob E. Von Tobel Photograph Collection contains black-and-white photographs of the pioneer Von Tobel family from 1900 to 1980. The collection includes photographs of the Von Tobel family, early Las Vegas, Nevada buildings and landmarks, and aerial photographs of Las Vegas and surrounding areas.
Finding Aid PDF
Date
Extent
Related People/Corporations
Scope and Contents Note
The Jacob E. Von Tobel Photograph Collection contains black-and-white photographs of the pioneer Von Tobel family from 1900 to 1980. The collection includes photographs of the Von Tobel family, their hardware store and lumber company, their homes, school photographs, and organizations to which the Von Tobels belonged. A significant portion of the collection documents early Las Vegas, Nevada buildings and landmarks, including trains, the supply yard, nearby geographical features, Fremont Street, the railroad depot, wells, Las Vegas High School, and early casinos. The collection also contains aerial photographs of Las Vegas and surrounding areas.
Access Note
Collection is open for research. Some collection material has been digitized and is available online.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged into three series:
Series I. People, 1908-1918;
Series II. Early Las Vegas, Nevada, 1900-1929;
Series III. Later Las Vegas, Nevada, 1930-1980.
Biographical / Historical Note
Edward and Mary Von Tobel were one of the first pioneer families to arrive in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1905, and they purchased land at the original Las Vegas land auction. Later in 1905, that year, the family founded the Von Tobel Lumber Company, which remained in operation until 1976 as one of the longest lasting family owned businesses in Las Vegas. Sons Edward Jr. and George Von Tobel opened several Von Tobel retail hardware stores in Las Vegas in the 1950s and 1960s. The family was also involved in early Nevada Republican party politics and George Von Tobel served as a Nevada Assemblyman. Beginning in the 1960s, the Von Tobel family became involved in real estate endeavors. Most Von Tobel retail stores closed or were sold in the 1980s. George Von Tobel died in 2003 and his brother Edward Jr. died in 2009.
Preferred Citation
Jacob E. Von Tobel Photograph Collection, 1900-1980. PH-00204. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated in 1985 by Jacob E. Von Tobel; accession number 1985-050.
Processing Note
Materials were processed in 1985. In 2015, as part of a legacy finding aid conversion project, Lindsay Oden wrote the collection description in compliance with current professional standards.