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Leon Rockwell Papers (MS-00013)

Abstract

The Leon Rockwell Papers (1829-1986), consist of materials that document Leon Rockwell's life in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1906 until his death in 1968. Included are diaries, correspondence, photographs, postcards, Las Vegas community event programs, ledger sheets, business cards, and scrapbooks. There are a number of books, information on organizations and businesses that Rockwell owned, real estate documents, and early records of the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department, of which Rockwell was an original member.

Finding Aid PDF

Date

1829 to 1986
bulk 1906 to 1968

Extent

6.85 Cubic Feet (12 boxes)
7.71 Linear Feet

Related People/Corporations

Scope and Contents Note

The Leon Rockwell Papers (1829-1986) consist of diaries, correspondence, photographs, postcards, Las Vegas community event programs, ledger sheets, business cards, and scrapbooks. There are a number of books, information on organizations and businesses that Rockwell owned, real estate documents, and early records from the Volunteer Fire Department, of which Rockwell was an original member. Also included are excerpts of diaries confiscated from Japanese prisoners that have been translated into English, correspondence from Leon and Ronald Rockwell during their time in the Navy during World War One, and information on the Women's Klu Klux Klan (KKK) from 1923. There are two essays about dentistry, written by Leon Rockwell, Jr.

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

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

Material is arranged alphabetically.

Biographical / Historical Note

Early Las Vegas pioneer Leon Halliday Rockwell was born in Elmira, New York in 1888. He received a grammar school education and was then forced to begin working due to the death of his father. He worked a variety of jobs across the country from railroad laborer to cowboy and milk-hand. He joined his brother Ronald in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1906, along with his brother Earl Rockwell. The brothers became prominent citizens of Las Vegas, and Leon and Earl constructed the first airfield in Clark County, Nevada and leased it to Western Air Express in 1920, which opened the city to air transportation.

Leon Rockwell worked for the Telephone Company and Power Company before opening his own business, The Electric Shop. He was a founding member of the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department, engaged in real estate trading, and was part owner of a clothing store. He was a member of the Indian Collectors Association, an active member of the Elks, loved to travel, and had an interest in history and folklore.

Leon Rockwell spent only four years away from Las Vegas. For two years he served overseas in the United States Navy during World War One and two years traveling with his family in California. His brother Ronald suffered from injuries sustained during the war and spent the rest of his life in a hospital in California. Ronald passed away in 1936. Leon Halliday Rockwell passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada in September of 1968.

Source:

https://contentdm.library.unr.edu/cdm/ref/collection/unohp/id/2529

Related Collections

The following resources may provide additional information related to the materials in this collection:

Earl Rockwell Papers, 1858-1978. MS-00145. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada

Preferred Citation

Leon Rockwell Papers, 1829-1986. MS-00013. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Acquisition Note

Materials were donated in 1958 by Leon Rockwell; accession number 104.

Processing Note

Material was processed in 2016 by Joyce Moore.

Resource Type

Papers

Collection Type

EAD ID

US::NvLN::MS00013

Finding Aid Description Rules

Describing Archives: A Content Standard
English