William E. Ferron Family Papers (MS-00061)

Noted Las Vegas Mayor and businessman William E. Ferron was born in Salt Lake City on February 23, 1887. A graduate of the College of Pharmacy at Philadelphia, Ferron travelled to South America where he was involved in gold mining enterprises. He arrived in Las Vegas in 1916, and partnered with Dr. Roy Martin to establish the Las Vegas Pharmacy at the northwest corner of First and Fremont. He married Ruth Cooper of Salt Lake City in 1917 and they lived for many years in the former John S. Park house at the northeast corner of Fourth and Fremont. In 1918 Ferron opened White Cross Drugs in the former Jewell Drug Store at Second and Fremont. The store later moved to Fourth and Fremont, and as Las Vegas grew, a second White Cross Drugs opened at 1700 Las Vegas Boulevard South in 1955. It operated under various owners for nearly 57 years at that location.

In 1920, Ferron was elected mayor of Las Vegas, and led the city during the Union Pacific strike. Although he only served one term, Ferron was also active in several community organizations. A charter member of both the Las Vegas Rotary Club and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Ferron also held membership in the Elks Lodge and was a 32nd degree Mason. He was president of the State Board of Pharmacy for sixteen years, and served on the local selective service board for twenty years. Ferron and his wife, Ruth, had two daughters, Barbara Ferron Doyle and Shirley Elizabeth Ferron Swanson. Ruth was a long-time member and past president of the Mesquite Club. Ferron himself continued working until his death from heart failure in January 1965. Ruth died in 1990.