The Dunes Hotel and Casino Records are comprised of administrative, publicity, and entertainment materials documenting the history of the Dunes Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada from the years 1954 to 1992. Included are correspondence, contracts, photographs, hotel budgets, and an early aerial photograph of the property. The material provides a significant amount of historical documentation of the hotel that was long known to tourists and residents as the "the Miracle in the Desert."
The Dunes Hotel Photographs (1950-1993) consist of administrative, publicity and entertainment images documenting the history of the Dunes Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to materials focusing on day-to-day activities at the hotel (correspondence, contracts, personnel, budgets, etc.) the collection provides insight into the hotel’s entertainment and public relations activities. Although there are chronological gaps in the collection, particularly during the later years of the Dunes (1970s-1990s), it provides a significant amount of historical documentation on the famed Strip hotel that was long known to tourists and residents alike as the “the Miracle in the Desert.”
Black and white image of several prominent figures, in front of a crowd outdoors. From left to right: Governor Balzar of Nevada; Carl Gray, President of Union Pacific Railroad Company; Ray Lyman Wilbur, Secretary of the Interior; Governor of Colorado (possibly Edwin C. Johnson). Gray is handing Lyman the first spike to be driven for the spur line to Boulder Dam. Note: Boulder Dam was officially renamed Hoover Dam in 1947.
Eileen (Milstein) Brookman (1921-2004) was member of the Nevada Assembly from 1967-1977 and 1987-1990. Small in stature but nicknamed "Queenie" by her admirers, she advocated passionately for the rights of persons with disabilities, minorities, people with low incomes, women, and especially the elderly. Brookman entered state politics in 1962 when she was appointed Indian Commissioner by Governor Grant Sawyer.
George Robert “Bob” Anderson (1847?-1886?) was an early settler in Southern Nevada. He is best known for being the business partner of James Bernard Wilson. On January 31, 1875, they filed the deed to 320 acres located twenty-four miles west of Las Vegas, Nevada at the base of Sand Mountain in Cottonwood Valley. The property formerly known as ‘Williams Ranch’ or ‘Williams Homestead’ was renamed Sandstone Ranch. There they established a working cattle ranch and a goods delivery service.