Oral history interview with Sarann Knight Preddy, Elizabeth Warren, and Woodrow Wilson conducted by Porter Troutman on July 19, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this forum, Knight, Warren, and Wilson discuss the history of West Las Vegas, Nevada. Knight recalls arriving to Las Vegas in 1942 and describes the African American experience at that time. She talks about being the first woman of color to receive a gaming license, dealing cards, and the city ordinance which banned African American dealers. Wilson remembers the living conditions before federal housing and race restrictive covenants in housing. Then, Warren talks about the city's early years, the history of discrimination against African Americans in the city, and the significance of the railroad in Las Vegas. The group answers questions asked by audience members throughout the duration of the forum.
From the Nye County, Nevada Photograph Collection (PH-00221) -- Series VI. Tonopah, Nevada -- Subseries VI.D. Terrell Family. Man on the far right may be Don Terrell. With the mines and mills in Tonopah shut down, the railroad was losing money. The contraption above was constructed to carry passengers on the railroad wheels. The gas tank is visible on the roof of the car.
Scale 1:3,800,000. 1 in. to 60 miles (W 126°--W 86°/N 48°--N 30°) ; 1 map : col. ; 57 x 85 cm ; Relief shown by hachures ; Prime meridian: Greenwich and Washington, D.C. ; "Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1882 by G.W. & C.B. Colton & Co. in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington." ; Rufus Adams
If the Union Pacific should divest itself of water production to the Las Vegas Land and Water Company, Wehe describes what the operation of the company should look like. Letter has several date stamps, including one from E. E. Bennett and one from the Union Pacific Railroad Law Department.
View of Tonopah from the Railroad Depot. Part of the Tonopah R.R. Yard (3) showing freight which has spilled over from depot platform. (note SPC cars 420, 712; Tonopah RR 4-wheel caboose #13) 1905. (photo: State Archives, Museums and Historical Dept.). Stamp on front of photo: "J. E. Stimson, Artist, Cheyenne, WYO. 892" Stamp on back of photo: "Mallory Hope Ferrell P. O. Box 2837 Peachtree City, GA 30269." Stamp on back of photo: "Publication of this photo must give credit line to the Wyoming State Archives, Museums, and Historical Department."
A Union Pacific Railroad train as a part of the construction for Hoover Dam. The front of the card reads: "First train in railroad pass, Boulder Dam Project, Oakes." Description given with postcard: "SP, LA & SL (UPRR) locomotive 6082 in Railroad Pass. Maybe spreading ballast on track."
Editorial from the Las Vegas Sun. Unlike a noble French merchant, who sacrificed greatly to give the people of Marseilles good water, the water company is trying to bleed all the money they can out of the situation before surrendering it to the water district. "80-11" written in red pencil. Date stamp from E.C.R.
The Ferron and Bracken Photograph Collection depicts Southern and Central Nevada and other western states from 1890 to 1961. The photographs primarily depict the development and growth of early Las Vegas, Nevada; mines and mining operations in Southern and Central Nevada; towns and mines in Nevada; and the Hoover (Boulder) Dam and the Colorado River.
Charles Malkowski interviews Ralph Daly (born in Texas in 1903) about his experience of moving to Las Vegas during its early growth. Daly talks specifically about Block 16 and the Arizona Club and the extent of gambling and prostitution that took place there in the early 1900s. Daly, who worked in oil fields but became paralyzed due to an injury, also talks about moving to Las Vegas to make his living on gambling after becoming disabled. He also describes how the construction of Boulder Dam attracted many migrant workers and how, after World War II, Las Vegas attracted tourists and became more of a gambling town as more casinos were built and worldwide advertising for those casinos started. Daly also discusses the end of prostitution in Las Vegas, certain famous gamblers he met, and the forms of cooling used before air conditioning was introduced.