The John Wittwer Collection on Agriculture in Nevada (1898-1972) contains the professional papers and records of John Wittwer in his capacity as an Agricultural Extension agent for the University of Nevada from 1921 to 1954. The records are primarily annual reports containing text, photographs, newspaper clippings, and charts that provide a rich chronicle of the conditions of agriculture and ranching in southern Nevada from 1898 to 1972, with the bulk of the material dating from 1929 to 1955. These conditions span water issues, such as flood control and irrigation, to the general difficulties of sustaining agriculture and viable food production in a desert environment. The reports come from the Agricultural Experiment Stations in Clark and Lincoln counties and most contain both a statistical report and a narrative summary.
The Fred and Eva Gillhouse Photograph Collection contains photographs and postcards from Nevada and California from 1855 to 1968. The photographs primarily depict buildings in Carson City and Virginia City, Nevada, and Sacramento, California. The photographs also depict Eva Olenna Blood Ruff Gillhouse at her typewriter and with Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton, the subject of her biography Pistol Pete, Veteran of the Old West.
The Castaways Hotel and Casino Photograph Collection, approximately 1963 to 1987, consists of black-and-white and color photographic prints and negatives. Images depict the exterior of the entrance to the property, the mega-pylon sign, the pool area, and the “Gateway to Luck” replica temple in the courtyard area. The interior images depict various hotel rooms and suites, a couple dining, and a performance by Rusty Isabel, an entertainer in the Kon Tiki Lounge inside the property.
The William J. Moore Jr. Photograph Collection (approximately 1942-1960) consists of black-and-white photographic prints, negatives, and one oversize image depicting William "Bill" J. Moore Jr.'s career as a casino operator in Las Vegas, Nevada. Images include events at the Moore family home and the Hotel Last Frontier. Also included are images of Moore with politicians, casino operators, and other notable figures in Las Vegas.
The Reverend Donald M. Clark Photograph Collection (approximately 1965-1978) is comprised of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives. The bulk of the images portray Reverend Clark’s work with black communities in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area. Additional images depict Reverend Clark with various prominent individuals in the civil rights movement, including boxer Joe Frazier and American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.
The James H. Down Jr. Photograph Collection (approximately 1915-1940) consists of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives, as well as color photographic slides and postcards. The images depict scenes in and around Las Vegas and Goodsprings, Nevada. Also included are Glenn Davis' photographs of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), Black Canyon, the Colorado River, and Lake Mead. Most of the images portray the construction phases of the Hoover Dam.
The Frank Gagliardi Music Manuscript Collection (approximately 1964-1974) contains musical arrangements of standard Frank Sinatra songs, printed or photocopied with annotations. Each part is in its own folder, and each song is numbered. Frank Gagliardi performed as percussionist in Antonio Morelli's orchestra for the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he played for Frank Sinatra and other notable entertainers during the 1960s and 1970s.
The Mary Griffith Toleno Photograph Collection contains photographs of Nevada from approximately 1875 to 1964. The materials include photographs of Fort Churchill, the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, the New York Mine in Silver City, Virginia City, buildings in Lovelock, Nevada, and locations in Carson City, Nevada and Reno, Nevada. The materials also include photographs of the Griffith family and friends.
The Arthur Walker Gregory Photograph Collection, approximately 1900 to 1920, consists of black-and-white photographic prints, and two corresponding negatives. Two of the images depict the first train to arrive in Las Vegas, Nevada from Salt Lake City, Utah in 1905, one with railroad employees in the foreground. The remaining images depict Arthur Walker Gregory’s class photographs at the Las Vegas Grammar School when he was in the first, third, and fifth grades.
The Nevada Southern Campus Fund Collection (1955) consists of the Nevada Southern University Book of Donors. This oversized scrapbook contains the names of local businesses, politicians, and Las Vegans who donated over $50 to the Nevada Southern Campus Fund in 1955. Nevada Southern University later became the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Some names include Elks Lodge, Rotary Club of Las Vegas, and Junior League of Las Vegas.