Oral history interview with Joan Olson Griffith conducted by Sharee Schrader on April 12, 2005 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Griffith begins by discussing why she moved to Blue Diamond, Nevada with her family due to job opportunities at the Blue Diamond Plant, where they manufactured wallboard, in 1956. She describes life in Blue Diamond and rural Nevada, the education available in the village, and Blue Diamond's proximity to Bonnie Springs Ranch and structures made for the filming of Western themed media. Griffith concludes by discussing how Blue Diamond has changed since the 1950s and being a Sunday school teacher for eighteen years.
The Ned V. Bearden Sr. Photograph Collection contains black-and-white photographic prints and negatives of early Las Vegas, Nevada Fremont Street hotels, casinos, as well as Las Vegas businesses and residences between approximately 1940 to 1960. These photographs detail air conditioning units installations by Bearden throughout Las Vegas.
The Byrd Wall Sawyer Photograph Collection contains color photographic slides depicting Byrd Wall Sawyer’s home, the Carson House, in Carson City, Nevada; towns and cities; and landscapes throughout Nevada between approximately 1950 to 1970. Nevada towns and cities primarily depicted include Belmont, Manhattan, Reno, and Dixie. Nevada landscapes include Carson River, Carson Mountains, Olinghouse Canyon, Washoe Lake, King’s Canyon, Lake Winnemucca, Washoe Valley, and Lake Tahoe.
Oral history interview with Richard D. Chase conducted by Helen Rondthaler on October 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Chase discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1945, touching on topics such as the housing shortage during the 1940s, The Red Rooster swingers’ club, Billy Moore, Sam Larson, Ira Goldring, atomic bomb testing, and the Nevada environment. Chase discusses the importance of construction-based labor to the development of Southern Nevada. Chase also explains at length the impact of the Nevada Test Site on his construction company.
Oral history interview with John West conducted by Claytee D. White on August 10, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, West discusses his family background and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954. West describes his educational experiences in Las Vegas and his career as a clinical psychologist. He recalls his father’s career in medicine and becoming the first African American licensed medical doctor in Las Vegas. West then talks about attending entertainment events before race integration was introduced, and the voting patterns in West Las Vegas. Lastly, West discusses his father’s decision to remain living in West Las Vegas and operating his medical office there after integration.
The Harry Hayden Whiteley Photograph Collection (approximately 1940-1967) contains photographic prints and one photographic negative depicting buildings, people, and project locations associated with the Las Vegas, Nevada architect Harry Hayden Whiteley. There is also one album containing photographs of contemporary churches compiled by Whiteley between 1953 to 1958.
The Dorothy Ray Photograph Collection on Southern Nevada, approximately 1900-1946, depicts infrastructure in Caliente, Nevada in the early to mid-twentieth century. The collection also contains images of a flash flood that occurred in 1905 in Carp, Nevada and Stine, Nevada that washed away roads and railroad tracks. This collection provides historical documentation about early to mid-century Caliente, Nevada.
The Fanny’s Dress Shop Photographs (1930-1982) show one of Las Vegas’ premier women’s clothing stores. The collection includes images of Fanny Soss’ shop on Fremont Street, her store in the Flamingo Hotel, and Helldorado parades. Images include shop window displays.
The Frank Williams Papers on Early Nevada (1892-1946) consists of manuscripts written for the most part by Frank Williams, an early resident of Southern Nevada. The collection includes Williams' autobiography as well as histories of Goodsprings, Potosi Mine, Mesquite Valley, and the Yellow Pine Mining districts. Finally, this collection contains reports and material reflecting Frank Williams' two terms as University Regent (1909-1912 and 1923-1942) at the University of Nevada, Reno, and his four terms in the Nevada State Assembly.
William M. Stewart Correspondence is primarily comprised of handwritten letters addressed to U.S. Senator William Morris Stewart, between 1854 and 1872. Many of the letters were written during his first term in office. Also included is one document about the reappointment of a postmaster of Sutro, Nevada, and a manuscript telegram from Frances P. Hayes about the territorial organization and judicate district in Indian Territory.