Oral history interview with Jesma and Carlyle Wilcox conducted by Sally Griffis on February 19, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jesma Wilcox begins by describing her family ranch, how her father leased the property to tenants, and what it was like living without air conditioning and refrigeration. She describes using a nearby stream as a water source, recreational activities, and the Mormon settlers and missionaries who first settled on the ranch. Wilcox talks about her religious involvement with the Mormon Church and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the mid-twentieth century, as well as how Las Vegas has changed. Wilcox, with her husband Carlyle, also discusses the history of the nuclear weapons tests. Carlyle then describes the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John H. Pappas conducted by James Greene on October 04, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pappas describes coming to the United States during the early twentieth century, eventually making his way to Nevada in 1904. Pappas discusses working for the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad Company helping to build the railroad from Caliente, Nevada to Las Vegas, Nevada. Pappas later discusses leaving Nevada, then returning to help build the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, before leaving due to the extreme heat. Pappas describes his personal history in Las Vegas, the city's changes, and opening his own restaurant.
Archival Collection
This collection contains the original drafts of the thirteen essays that Elizabeth Harrington wrote about her life in early Las Vegas, Nevada. These articles were written from her memory and experiences of life in Las Vegas beginning in the early 1900s, and were published in the Nevadan section of the Las Vegas Review-Journal from 1975-1979.
Archival Collection
The UNLV Libraries Collection of Gold Strike Resorts Inc. Promotional and Press Materials includes promotional materials, company newsletters, and newspaper clippings for Gold Strike Resorts Inc. located in Jean, Nevada dating from 1986 to 2005.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pearl Busch (born 1936 in Winona, Minnesota) conducted by Laura Busch on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Pearl first describes her original move to Southern Nevada and a wide range of topics including the first hotels on the Strip, the growth and expansion of the city, recreational activities such as skiing, and her family. She also discusses gambling and its impact on the city, the clubs and organizations to which she belonged, and her appreciation for the mild Las Vegas climate. The interview finalizes with her thoughts on the biggest excitement Las Vegas offers, her input on the high crime rate in Las Vegas, and her thoughts on the energy crisis and the future of solar energy in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
The Squires Family Photographs document the Squires Family and the development of the Las Vegas Valley in Nevada from approximately 1860 to 1980, with a bulk of the photographs depicting people and events from 1900 to 1950. The photographs depict the Euro-American settlement and growth of Las Vegas, Nevada; traveling and exploration of Southern Nevada and the Southwestern United States; the Hoover (Boulder) Dam and the Colorado River; clubs and social groups; and the Squires Family, especially prominent newspaper editor and publisher Charles Pember (C. P. or “Pop”) Squires, Delphine “Mom” Anderson Squires, and their children.
Archival Collection
The Robert E. "Spud" Lake Photographs depict "Spud" Lake, his family, and Las Vegas, Nevada from 1905 to 1947. The photographs include the Las Vegas town site auction, Stewart (Kiel) Ranch, Clark County Courthouse, Eglington Ranch, Helldorado Parade, and Colorado River and the Hoover (Boulder) Dam. The photographs also depict a Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce luncheon honoring Las Vegas pioneers, the Gold Bar Club tent in Pahrump, Nevada, and Fremont Street in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
The William V. Wright Collection of Nevada Postcards contains picture postcards of towns and buildings in Nevada from 1900 to 1975. The postcards primarily depict casinos, hotels, and other attractions in Las Vegas, Nevada and Reno, Nevada. The postcards also depict post offices, landscapes, mines, and the Hoover (Boulder) Dam.
Archival Collection
The Clark County Central Labor Council Records date from 1938 to 1968 and represent Ragnold Fyhen's written account of how the Clark County Central Labor Council union was formed. The work includes the activities and meetings of the labor union and Fyhen's work (1933-1947) while Secretary-Treasurer of the Central Labor Council. This work is entitled "Labor Notes." Additionally the collection contains a resolution submitted to the Central Labor Council in 1938 in regards to proposing new legislation to regulate the Clark County hospital.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with J.W. (John) Campbell (born June 13, 1918 in Pioche, Nevada) conducted by Raymond Haft on February 19, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the history of Nevada, including Mr. Campbell’s personal history. He discusses the Stewart Ranch, the Mormon Fort, swimming pools in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the above ground atomic tests. He also discusses the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane and the building of the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada.
Archival Collection