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Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Rex Bell (George Francis Beldam)and Curley Fletcher (with hand on chin) seated at a bar at an unknown location, having drinks. Curley was a cowboy poet and songwriter
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Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Rex Bell (George Francis Beldam)and Clara Bow center, with four unidentified men. One of the men is Bill Froelich (man without a hat)" They are standing outside the ranch house at Walking Box Ranch
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Floyd Francis (center), Jake Beckley (right), and unidentified man in the "Old Swimming Hole" on the Von Tobel and Beckley property
Transcribed Notes: Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Floyd Francis (center), Jake Beckley (right), and unidentified man (on left) in an old swimming hole formed on the property of Von Tobel and Beckley."; Transcribed background history: "Early Las Vegas History by Florence Lee Jones, April 1969: Creating their own oasis in the Las Vegas Valley was the hobby of the late Ed Von Tobel, Sr., and his partner, the late Jake Beckley, when they came to Las Vegas in 1905 as gay young bachelors. At their ranch in Paradise Valley, where they owned the 120 acres now comprising the Sierra Vista Ranchos, exclusive residential area, they used the facilities at hand to form an 'old swimming hole.' From one of the three wells they drilled they diverted the free-flowing water into a nearby creek bed, built a cement dam to contain the water, and had their own pleasure resort. In this picture, from left, an unidentified man; Floyd Francis, early employee of the Von Tobel Lumber Company; and Jake Beckley, a partner in the fi
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Floyd Francis, an unidentified man, and Jake Beckley in the "old swimming hole" on the Von Tobel and Beckley property
Transcribed Notes: Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Another view of Floyd Francis, an unidentified man and Jake Beckley in the swimming hole on the property in Paradise Valley owned by Von Tobel and Beckley."; Transcribed from background history: "Early Las Vegas History by Florence Lee Jones, April 1969: In the years immediately after the auction of lots and the start of Las Vegas in 1905, a swimming pool was unknown in the area - but the late Ed Von Tobel, Sr., and his partner in the lumber business, Jake Beckley, solved that problem, as this picture shows. Von Tobel took this picture, showing from left Floyd Francis, who worked for more than 20 years at the Von Tobel Lumber Company; an unidentified man; and at right, Beckley. At their 120-acre ranch in Paradise Valley, which was a week-end retreat for the partners, they drilled three wells so they could irrigate their fruit orchard and truck garden. One of the wells had such a heavy flow that they dammed up a natural wash and created a swimming pool, a
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The Hotel Las Vegas was the first hotel in Las Vegas, a tent set up for people who came to participate in the land auction. Managed by Pop Squires." Transcribed from back of photo: "Hotel Las Vegas 1905. Hotel Las Vegas, built by Las Vegas Trading Co. in 1905 was located on North Main Street between Stewart and the creek across from Woodards Down Town Camp on grounds later occupied by Elwells Ware House. All canvas and lumber used in building was cut to size and holes bored in Los Angeles, ready to be bolted together on arrival in Las Vegas. Hotel had 20 rooms. Floor space was 40 x 130 ft. Kitchen and Dining Room are seen next door to Hotel on the right. This Hotel was managed by Chas. P. Squires. Photo by Eddie Gillette, 1905." Transcribed from Special Collections sheet: "Selling of L.V. First L.V. Hotel pic cap. First Las Vegas Hotel -- The Hotel Las Vegas was made ready for the first buyers of real estate at the 1905 auction when the Las Vegas Trading Co., managed by Charles (Pop) Squires, opened the registry. All canvas and lumber used in building was cut to size and holes bored in Los Angeles, a prefab forerunner. Hotel Las Vegas boasted 20 rooms and was regarded as the top 'night spot' of its day."
Site Name: Hotel Las Vegas
Address: 1 Fremont Street
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Chrystal Beauty well owned by F. W. Eglington.
Transcribed Notes: Transcribed from front of postcard: "232 ft, deep and flows 69 [?] inches. Owned by F. W. Eglington, Las Vegas, Nevada." Handwritten inscription on back is difficult to decipher.
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