The Dennis McBride Personal Papers (approximately 1920-2023) contain the papers of local historian and activist Dennis McBride. Papers include correspondence between McBride and many prominent members of the Las Vegas, Nevada LGBTQ community; financial and employment records from McBride's time at University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Nevada State Museum; publications, press, and research surrounding McBride's numerous written works, unpublished and published; and family history, correspondence, and other personal documents. The collection also contains McBride's detailed personal date books and diaries that span multiple decades. Some audiovisual material and correspondence exist as digital files.
An image showing an aerial view of Davis Dam on the Colorado River. Located within Pyramid Canyon between Arizona and Nevada, Davis Dam was constructed on the Colorado River 67 miles downstream from Hoover Dam. Due to the Mexican Treaty of 1944, the United States was required to construct Davis Dam for regulation of water to be delivered to Mexico.
An image showing an aerial view of Davis Dam on the Colorado River. Located within Pyramid Canyon between Arizona and Nevada, Davis Dam was constructed on the Colorado River 67 miles downstream from Hoover Dam. Due to the Mexican Treaty of 1944, the United States was required to construct Davis Dam for regulation of water to be delivered to Mexico.
An image showing an aerial view of Davis Dam on the Colorado River. Located within Pyramid Canyon between Arizona and Nevada, Davis Dam was constructed on the Colorado River 67 miles downstream from Hoover Dam. Due to the Mexican Treaty of 1944, the United States was required to construct Davis Dam for regulation of water to be delivered to Mexico.
Oral history interview with Robert Bugbee conducted by John Lopez on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bugbee discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953 and how both the population and housing have changed since then. Bugbee additionally speaks about the changes in infrastructure, including the building of roads and increased air travel. Throughout the interview, he mentions some of the various specific housing tracts that were built throughout Las Vegas. Bugbee also mentions topics such as the building of Hoover Dam, the first popular casinos in town, the Carole Lombard crash, and the MGM Grand fire. The interview finalizes with Bugbee’s thoughts on the future of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Lyla Joy Ford conducted by Anne Cope on March 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ford discusses social life in Las Vegas, Nevada in the early days. She discusses how the railroad, Hoover Dam, and the Basic Magnesium Plant brought money into Las Vegas. She recalls Sammy David Jr. performing at the El Rancho Casino, the Helldorado Parade being a big western celebration, atomic tests, and witnessing the city’s transformation from a small farming town to a major gambling city.
Oral history interview with Ida M. Harris conducted by Claytee D. White on March 25, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Harris discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada as a young women in 1920. She talks about parties she attended, her employment in retail and accounting, the Rose Bowl Parade, Helldorado, the construction of Hoover Dam and Boulder City, Nevada, and riding events she participated in as a member of the women's riding group The Lariettes. She also mentions local sights, the outdoor movie theatre, the early casinos, and the Las Vegas Jockey Club racetrack. She also identifies numerous individuals in photographs.
An overhead view of a truck by the river, a foot bridge, and other Hoover Dam construction equipment. The Colorado River is pictured in the background.