The Union Pacific Railroad Collection (1828-1986) is comprised of the original corporate records of the Union Pacific Railroad's operations in Southern Nevada, Utah, and Southern California, particularly focusing on Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The collection documents the purchase of Stewart ranch and the construction of the original depot and town which became modern Las Vegas. The collection also contains the records of the Las Vegas Land & Water Company (LVL&W), a subsidiary of the railroad formed in 1905 to handle the railroad's land transactions. The collection contains office files, correspondence, reports, leases, various legal, governmental and financial document, the collection contains large and small format maps, architectural and engineering drawings, published technical reports, railroad operational manuals, bound legal briefs, ledgers, and payroll and receipt books. The collection also includes the personal files of Walter Bracken, the Union Pacific's special representative in Nevada and vice president of the Las Vegas Land and Water Company, and a paper index of the collection materials.
The John Nichols Photograph Collection (approximately 1930-1950) is comprised of black-and-white photographic prints depicting the western region of the United States including Southern Nevada, the Hoover Dam (then known as Boulder Dam), Lake Mead, and various desert landscapes. Photographs were collected by former Las Vegas and Boulder City, Nevada resident, John Nichols, who is a longtime art collector and gallery owner based in California. The collection includes some photographs taken by American photographer Glenn Davis who was known for photographing the Las Vegas Valley and the construction of the Hoover Dam.
The Thomas J. Hickey Photograph Collection (1987-1989) contains color and black-and-white photographic prints of Thomas J. Hickey during his tenure as a Nevada State Senator. The collection also includes photographic prints of the Sparks, Nevada train yard and the Home of the Good Shepard church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Archie C. Grant Photograph Collection (1914-1968) contains black-and-white photographs of Nevada politician Archie C. Grant. The materials include photographs of Grant with the Las Vegas Housing Authority at groundbreaking ceremonies, the University of Nevada Board of Regents, and with other Nevada politicians. Materials also contain early photographs of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, including the dedication of Maude Frazier Hall.
The Nick Pratto Photograph Collection contains black-and-white photographic prints and negatives of Las Vegas, Nevada between approximately 1930 and 1950. The collection includes images of the 1940 and 1945 Helldorado parade, James Cashman Sr.'s Desert Love Buggy, and views of Gilmore Gas Station located at Fifth Street and Bonneville Avenue in 1934.
The Jean Ford Photograph Collection (1964-1977) contains black-and-white photographic prints, contact sheets, and transparencies of Nevada politician and activist Jean Ford. The collection includes photographs of Jean Ford with the Nevada State Park Commission and various Nevadan politicians; Ford lecturing and campaigning; and of the 1977 National Women's Conference in Houston, Texas.
The H. E. “Hap” Hazard Photographs (approximately 1940-1969) depict politicians in Southern Nevada. Senator Alan Bible, Governor Edward P. Carville, Senator Mike Mansfield and Senator Pat McCarran appear in photographs at political events. Along with images depicting politicians, an aerial shot of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s is also present.