A picture of Wilbur Square Park in Boulder City. This photo was taken from the Bureau of Reclamation's administration building. The Boulder Theater building can be seen in the center of the image, while the Boulder Dam Hotel can be seen to the right.
On November 15, 1974, James M. Greene interviewed Ruth Dieleman (born 1908 in Searchlight, Nevada) and her husband Jake Dieleman (born 1904 in Axel, Netherlands) about their lives in Southern Nevada. Ruth first talks about her life in Searchlight while growing up, her experience as an educator, and her various residences in Southern Nevada. Jake first talks about his immigration into the United States and his eventual move to Nevada to get into construction rigging for the building of Hoover Dam. He discusses his work as a rigger in detail but also discusses his work on various Las Vegas casinos as well as his work in the state legislature.
Oral history interview with Chet Carrigan conducted by Robert Kahre on February 17, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Carrigan first talks about his background in construction as well as some of his experiences in the Sheriff’s Posse before describing the major events and changes of Las Vegas, Nevada that he witnessed. Carrigan also talks about his family, the effects of the Great Depression on the city, the flooding problem, and the building of Hoover Dam. He also describes the first schools in Las Vegas, means of transportation, his laundry business, his experience on the volunteer fire department, the first movie theaters, and Cashman Field.
John Cahlan (1902-1988) discusses his experiences in journalism, including his work as an editor for the Review Journal. Cahlan is interviewed by Lester Wisbrod. He provides details on some of the major events covered by the newspaper, such the building of the Boulder Dam, as well as his work in establishing Nellis Air Force Base. Cahlan also describes some of the social changes over time, including the growth of air travel for tourism and gambling.
Jeff Kennedy interviews gaming industry professional John Brooks (b. 1937) at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the interview Brooks discusses gaming, education, the early above ground atomic blasts, Boulder Dam, and social and environmental changes in Nevada. Brooks also discusses the Old Ranch, economic changes, religion, politics, family life, the Navy, sports, the railroad, Fremont Street and the hotels on the Strip in Las Vegas.
The UNLV University Libraries Collection of Lake Mead Government Documents contains reports and studies pertaining to Lake Mead’s water quality, microbe ecology, wildlife, fish, plant life, pollution, soil, and sediment dating between 1971 and 1994. Reports include studies on microbe population growth, water composition, chemical treatment, salinity, temperature monitoring, and hand-written field notes on water and soil conditions. Lake Mead is located in Clark County, Nevada and Mohave County, Arizona.
The visual materials series (1927-1991) contains photographs and transparencies of places such as Las Vegas, Nevada; the Hoover Dam; Sedona, Arizona; Oberlin, Ohio; and other states Robert Woodruff traveled to during cross-country road trips. The material documents city scenes, community events, landscapes and animal life, national and state parks, and Woodruff's family. Cities and places around Nevada include Goodsprings, Tonopah, Rhyolite, Boulder City, Mount Charleston, Valley of Fire, and Death Valley. Events pictured include Henderson's Industrial Days, Helldorado, and the construction of the Hoover Dam. Materials are comprised of formats including 4x5 photographic prints; 35 mm, 120 mm, and 4x5 negative and positive transparencies; and 35 mm and 120 mm projection slides. The series also contains audio reels, a cassette tape, two early cameras, and a slide viewer.
Archival Collection
Robert Woodruff Papers
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Collection Number: MS-00455 Collection Name: Robert Woodruff Papers Box/Folder: N/A
Oral history interview with F. Lorin Ronnow conducted by Mindy Braver on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ronnow discusses his personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada after being hired by the Union Pacific Railroad to play for their baseball team in 1928. Ronnow discusses being a hoisting engineer during the construction of the Hoover Dam, the economic benefit of the dam during the Great Depression, and his own business ventures in Las Vegas. Ronnow describes his career in banking, how Las Vegas has changed, and prominent celebrities coming to Nevada to divorce. Ronnow also discusses occupational discrimination against African Americans and women.
On March 20, 1978, DeeAnn Coombs interviewed Robert M. Fisher (born 1945 in Las Vegas, NV) about his experience growing up in and living in Southern Nevada. Fisher first discusses his background and upbringing, from being born at Nellis Air Force Base to attending several schools in Las Vegas and joining the U.S. Navy. Fisher also talks about the development of Las Vegas, particularly the Strip properties, and the various recreational activities in which he would participate, such as water skiing, drag racing, and skydiving. Fisher also talks about his work at the Nevada Test Site, including his work as a draftsman for the underground atomic testing.