Collection consists of an original manuscript, "Geology and Ore-Deposition at Tonopah, Nevada" by Josiah Edward Spurr (1870-1950) with hand-drawn diagrams, and letters discussing the donation of the manuscript. The manuscript, which was published in the journal Economic Geology in 1915, is a geological description of the Tonopah mining area; the Tonopah Mining Company is mentioned frequently. It is undated, but the publication date suggests it was written approximately 1913-1915.
The Joseph C. Ives Personal Correspondence consists of seventeen photocopied letters between United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers Lt. Joseph C. Ives and his wife, Cora Semmes Ives, between September 1857 and June 1858. Ives was in command of a U.S. Army expedition whose mission was to explore the region of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon, and to establish the limit of navigation of the Colorado River. The correspondence is largely personal in nature, however, it is a useful supplement to the official report documenting the voyage, "Report upon the Colorado River of the West; Explored in 1857-1858."
The Benjamin F. Smith Papers, dated from 1960 to 1969, contains a photocopy of a typed manuscript written by Benjamin F. Smith titled "Lady Luck and I." The manuscript details Smith's life, and focuses mainly on his time in Las Vegas, Nevada and his gambling strategies. The manuscript also contains gambling plays, figures, and charts. The collection also contains photocopied newspaper clippings and a brief biography of Smith written by Larry Evans.
The Marguerite Rice Lyman Papers on Southern Nevada History (1960-1969) consists of six typescripts concerning the history of Nevada. The collection includes information about the Muddy Mission, the history of Spring Valley, Mads Jorgensen, and profiles of Rice family pioneers. It also includes information about Mormon church activities within Nevada.
The J. K. W. Bracken Correspondence (1927-1928) consists of correspondence between J. K. W. Bracken as buyer for the Bruce M. Barnard Co. and seller Bingham Mercantile Company for the purchase of Native American (Navajo) rugs and blankets. It also contains invoices and descriptions of the design significance of the individual rugs. J. K. W. Bracken was the brother of Walter Bracken and they both worked for the Union Pacific Railroad.
The James Moore Short Stories on Gaming, dated 1950 to 1970, consists of three photocopied typescripts of short stories related to gaming in Las Vegas, Nevada. The three stories, written by James Moore, include "The Dice Killer," "Casino Dealer's Best Friend," and "Expert at the Blackjack Tables."
U. S. Senator George S. Nixon Correspondence with William B. Ogden consists of correspondence from 1908 to 1921 regarding the appointment of a postmaster in Gold Mountain and Drumville, both located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Also included is a Governor of the Territory of Arizona appointment, dated 1880 and a letter to Senator Tasker Oddie from Edwin Denby.
The S. R. Shapiro Collection (1799, 1960-1979) contains gaming instructions, pamphlets, menus, promotional material from travel agents and casinos, and correspondence from Las Vegas, Nevada casinos and casinos around the world. There is also a copy of a French natural history book titled Memories de la Societe d'histoire naturelle de Paris dated 1799. Inside the book are attached advertisements and lottery announcements from English newspapers.
The Edward Clark Papers (1930-1945) contain photographs, a newspaper clipping, an inaugural invitation, and a memorial address delivered in congress for Key Pittman, a United States Senator from Nevada. Also included are National Democratic Convention materials, a Rotary Club bulletin and souvenir booklet, and brochures for various attractions in the Washington, D.C. area.
The collection is comprised of long time Nevada resident Eunice Claxton's papers from 1982 to 2011. Included are photographs, memorial service programs, her maternal family history, and the 41st and 50th church convocations held in the Church of God in Christ, Las Vegas, Nevada.