Abstract
The Arlene Mathews Smith Photograph Collection (1910-1945) is comprised of photographs of people and places in and around Panaca, Nevada. The collection contains a photograph album featuring Smith, her family and friends, and various residents and events around the area. Included as part of the collection are photographs from the Last Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Finding Aid PDF
Date
Extent
Related People/Corporations
Scope and Contents Note
The Arlene Mathews Smith Photograph Collection (1910-1945) is comprised of photographs of people and places in and around Panaca, Nevada. The collection contains a photograph album of snapshots of Arlene Mathews Smith and her family and friends, as well as other residents of Panaca, Nevada. Many of the images feature schoolchildren and teachers, and recreational activities such as the Lincoln County High School basketball team and the 4-H Junior Farm Bureau. There are also photographs of Smith’s travels in central and southern Nevada. Included as part of the collection are photographs from the Last Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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 and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
Materials remain in original order.
Biographical / Historical Note
Arlene Mathews Smith was born September 12, 1910 in Panaca, Nevada to David Charles Mathews and Carrie Lee. Arlene graduated from Lincoln County High School in Panaca, where she enjoyed learning about home economics. She was active in the local 4-H club and specialized in sewing. Because jobs in Panaca were scarce, Arlene started working at a drug store in Pioche, Nevada in 1929 after graduating from high school. She began working at the Oasis Café in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1930 and her sister Evelyn joined her there in 1931. She worked at the cafe for several years before taking a job as a seamstress in 1936 at Fanny Foss’ clothing shop on Fremont Street in Las Vegas. She married Leo Smith and the couple eventually retired in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mathews passed away on June 22, 2004.
Sources:
Patrick, Elizabeth Nelson. “As the Twig is Bent.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, August 30, 1981.
“Short Stories of Las Vegas Folks.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 23, 1930.
Preferred Citation
Arlene Mathews Smith Photograph Collection, 1910-1945. PH-00129. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated in 1980 by Arlene Mathews Smith; accession number 1980-54.
Processing Note
Materials were processed by Special Collections and Archives staff. In 2017, Hana Gutierrez revised and enhanced the collection description to bring it into compliance with current professional standards. In 2019, Lauren Paljusaj further revised the finding aid.