The Fred and Maurine Wilson Photograph Collection depicts the Wilson Family, events, and locations in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Southwestern United States from approximately 1860 to 1990. The photographs primarily depict early Las Vegas, including the Mormon Fort and Kiel Ranch; mines, towns, and railroads in Southern Nevada; the construction and planning of the Hoover (Boulder) Dam on the Colorado River; and the Wilson Family. The photographs also include prominent Las Vegas families such as the Park Family, aerial photographs of the city, landmarks on Fremont Street and downtown Las Vegas, and desert landscapes.
The Maurine and Fred Wilson Papers (1888-1991) contain family papers and the historical research of Fred Wilson. It includes correspondence between Maurine and Fred Wilson, as well as Maurine Wilson’s diaries, calendars, and materials related to her career as a music teacher. The collection also contains Fred Wilson’s research files about the history of Southern Nevada as well as the First Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Description given with photograph: "A close-up view of the ancient metate, or grinding stone, located at the Southern end of the Pueblo Grande de Nevada. Fragments of pottery and stone grinders or pestles [sic] in view."
Treaty Pillar at Valley of Fire. Handwritten note on back of card: "Note: Treaty PIllar is in the center of the photo, Las Vegas wash at bottom left. To the rear and off to the right is Callville. The Mormons shipped goods upriver to Callville. The Mormons made a treaty with the Paiutes; the pillar marks the spot where the treaty was made. It is now underwater. From Callville the trail was overland to Salt Lake City - W.A. Davis, photog., 4-92."