Main Street, Silver Peak, Nevada, 1938. There is an inscription on the back of the image: "In 1938, Silver Peak was Esmeralda County's largest and most prosperous town, boasting a population of over 1,000. The economy was supported chiefly by the nearby mines of the Nivloc and Mary Mine areas. The town's prosperity ended when the mines closed with the beginning of WWII." The section of town in the upper left corner of the photo, which included the post office, several stores and a theater was destroyed by fire in 1948. There is a date stamp: Christmas, 1986.
Description printed on back of photograph: "A group at the State Department. Left to Right: Edward Lund, Harry MC. Connor, Howard Hughes, Secretary of State Cordell Hull, Lt. Thomas Thurlow and Richard Stoddart. July 1938."
Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes after his round the world flight shaking hands with Secretary of State Cordell Hell as R. Walton Moore Counselor of the Department of State looks on. July 1938."