On March 6, 1977, Ronald Robinson interviewed Mary Ellen Campbell (born 1886 in Panaca, Nevada) about her life in Nevada. Campbell first talks about her parents’ move to the United States from England and her own life growing up in Panaca. She also talks about living in Pioche and the conditions of living in these two small Nevada towns. Also present during the interview is Mary’s grandson, Allen Campbell, who sometimes asks a few questions as well.
Black and white image of the construction phase of the Boulder Canyon Project, also known as Hoover Dam. This image features the first round of drilling to enlarge the upper portal of diversion tunnel No. 2. The welded steel "Jumbo Rig" mounted on the truck has 25 air drills on it. The swing shift crew standing next to the rig prepare for work. Note: Boulder Dam was officially renamed Hoover Dam in 1947.
Black and white image of the Hoover Dam powerhouse. The Young Presidents' Organization arranged a party for nearly 1,000 people that was held on the powerhouse roof of Hoover Dam. The visitors, all wearing hard hats, were the first to use this setting. Tables, chairs, barbeque pits, a bandstand, and dance floor are visible on the powerhouse roof.
Black and white image of the Young Presidents' Organization Convention Chairman, Dick Woodward (left), and Hoover Dam Project Manager, Frank Lord, greeting Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner, Ellis L. Armstrong, upon his arrival to a celebration held by the Young Presidents' Organization at the Hoover Dam powerhouse. The party for nearly 1,000 people was held on the roof. The visitors, all wearing hard hats, were the first to use this setting.
Black and white image of the Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner, Ellis L. Armstrong (right), greeting Art Linkletter (left) upon arrival to a party held by the Young Presidents' Organization. The party for nearly 1,000 people was held on the roof of the powerhouse at Hoover Dam. The visitors, all wearing hard hats, were the first to use this setting.
Black and white image, from left to right, of Art Linkletter, Dick Woodward, and Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, Ellis L. Armstrong, at a party held by the Young Presidents' Organization. The party for nearly 1,000 people was held on the roof of the powerhouse at Hoover Dam. The visitors, all wearing hard hats, were the first to use this setting.
The view of cars parked along a street in front of a building containing multiple shops, including the Boulder Dam Service Bureau and the Theatre Candy Shop. Transcribed onto the large sign plastered across the top of the building: "Free Boulder Dam Motion Pictures. Visitors Welcome. Boulder Dam Service Bureau." Transcribed across the three smaller signs on the building, reading from left to right- First: "Boulder Dam Service Bureau. Souvenirs, Post Cards, Official Booklets, Rest Rooms." Second: "Double Feature - George O'Bien in "Wind Jammer," and Tex Ritter in "The Mystery of the Hooded Horsemen." " Third: "Theatre Candy Shop. Cold Drinks & Sandwiches."
Black and white image of an abandoned steam tractor. Description from Special Collections accompanying image: "According to the story told, this was one of the first three tractors ever built. One was shipped here to Eldorado Canyon to move ore and one was shipped to Death Valley for the Borax works (it is still in Death Valley). The other one was sent to South America to a mine. The one in Death Valley supposedly worked out fairly well being used mostly in sand. This one, it is told, was not too successful. The drive mechanism was by way of teeth on the inside of the big black wheels, driven by a pinion gear at the top. Small stones fell into the wheel and stuck in the grease necessitating frequent stops to remove the stones. The driver stood on a platform at the rear. May 1947."
The sign for The Griffin sits at 511 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 511 Fremont St Sign owner: Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh Sign details: Opened in February of 2007 as a medieval British pub/ tavern style bar. This location brought on a wave of revitalization of the East Fremont District especially since many new bars/restaurants started to open in this area after this bar did. Sign condition: 5- still looks relatively new Sign form: Blade and overlay neon on building Sign-specific description: Placed above the entrance their brick building the letters The Griffin Cocktails is painted with white block letters outlined with black paint is painted on the building itself. These letters have skeletal neon surrounding the letters. The Griffin letters are yellow tubes and do illuminate green at night, the word cocktails lights up white. To the left of the entrance but still on the building is a green painted griffin drinking a painted white martini ( also all outlined with black paint) The neon tubing outlining the griffin is a yellow tubing but glows green at night ( possibly argon inserted to make it glow green). The Blade is placed a little left of the entrance and hangs off of the building by two blue steel beams, but in between the beams is a beautiful swirl design. At the top of the Blade there is a green griffin sipping a martini (same design as the one painted on the building). At the base of the griffin is white THE letters painted with skeletal neon. Then below is the blue portion of the blade spelling out GRIFFIN in a Britannic looking font in white channeled letters which do illuminate white at night. This part of the blade is outlined in neon ,possibly argon, since it does illuminate blue at night. On the side of the blade ( if you're looking from the road) there are about 14 red curved neon tubes lining the sign. Sign - type of display: Neon Sign - media: Steel and Brick Wall Sign - non-neon treatments: Using the brick wall as a portion of the sign is a design not seen often in Vegas. Sign animation: Oscillation of red neon tubes on the side of the sign. Sign environment: Located in the Fremont East District in between Las Vegas Blvd. and 6th St. This location has The Vault to the East of it and The Smashed Pig Gastropub to the west. It is across the street from the Park and Evil Pie. In the middle of the street right in front of the Griffin Bar is the Martini Glass sign. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign designer: Owners Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh-Aaron stated that the blade portion of the sign was inspired by the old Boulder Club Blade sign Sign - date of installation: Slightly before they opened so late 2006/early 2007 Sign - thematic influences: Griffin shows that it has a medieval and kind of fantasy kind of feel since its interior does have that cool medieval tavern vibe to it, especially with their fireplaces. Using their brick wall as a part of the sign is a cool innovative way to use their space and stay true to their theme. Sign - artistic significance: Medieval theme. The blade is a prominent theme in the 50s/60s, though their blade sign was inspired by the Boulder Club (opened 1931-1960) blade. Survey - research locations: Acessors page, outreach to owner Aaron Chepenik Survey - research notes: Possible use of argon within their yellow painted tubes, similar to the Yucca Motel signs leaves. Survey - other remarks: The Blade does look very similar to the Boulder Club blade, so its awesome to see modern properties paying homage to the ones that are no longer around. Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-09-15 Sign keywords: Oscillating; Steel; Neon; Blade; Fascia; Building-front design