From the Howard Cannon Photograph Collection (PH-00192)

From the Howard Cannon Photograph Collection (PH-00192)

The mountains near Virginia City, Nevada. Virga can be seen falling from the clouds. Like many cities and towns in Nevada, Virginia City was a mining boomtown; it developed virtually overnight as a result of miners rushing to the Comstock Lode silver strike of 1859 on the eastern slopes of Mount Davidson. But, Virginia City far surpassed all others for its peak of population, technological advancements developed there, and for providing the population base upon which Nevada qualified for statehood. The riches of the Comstock Lode inspired men to hunt for silver mines throughout Nevada and other parts of the American West. At its peak, Virginia City had a population of over 25,000 residents and was called the richest city in America. Dominated by San Francisco moneyed interests, Virginia City was heralded as the sophisticated interior partner of San Francisco. “San Francisco on the coast and Virginia City inland” became the mantra of west coast Victorian entrepreneurs. Early Virginia City settlers were in large part the backwash from San Francisco and the California Gold Rush, ten years before. Mine owners who made a killing in the Comstock mines spent most of their wealth in San Francisco.

Black and white image of three children involved in the Vacation Reading Club at the Boulder City Library. At the time of this photograph, the library was housed in the basement of the city's municipal building.

53 x 52 cm. on sheet 56 x 87 cm. Includes inset maps of Boulder City, Henderson, Nellis Air Force Base and Las Vegas area. Map was probably published in 1958 because it shows the Stardust Hotel and Casino, which opened in 1958, but not the Convention Center, which opened in 1959. Includes index. Original publisher: Map Corporation of America.

A section of Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose or Flying Boat being moved (with a police escort) from the Hughes Aircraft plant in Culver City, California to Los Angeles Harbor where the plane was assembled June 1946.

A view of Howard Hughes being interviewed by reporters in New York, New York.