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Oral history interview with Jesma and Carlyle Wilcox conducted by Sally Griffis on February 19, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Jesma Wilcox begins by describing her family ranch, how her father leased the property to tenants, and what it was like living without air conditioning and refrigeration. She describes using a nearby stream as a water source, recreational activities, and the Mormon settlers and missionaries who first settled on the ranch. Wilcox talks about her religious involvement with the Mormon Church and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the mid-twentieth century, as well as how Las Vegas has changed. Wilcox, with her husband Carlyle, also discusses the history of the nuclear weapons tests. Carlyle then describes the construction of the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Series XVII. Hotel and Casino Promotional Events
Sands Hotel and Casino
Mixed Content
From Union Pacific Railroad Collection (MS-00397). The scales are noted in the drawing. The bottom corner of the drawing states, "Union Pacific System L.A. & S.L.R.R. Co. Standard Coal House For Section Quarters. Type-A. Ass't Chief Engineer's Office, Los Angeles, Calif. Drawn By W.V.L-B. Traced By W.B.L-B. Checked By F.W.G. Date Nov 8, 1923. Scales As Noted. Revised Nov. 19, 1926. Drawing No. 15119".
Also written on the drawing: "Built at: Cima, Cal. 1925, Brant ' ', Hayden ' ', Moore ' ', Jean, Nev. '. To be built at Elora, Calif. 1926, Desert ' ', Roach, Nev, '. To be built at Las Vegas, Nev., Dry Lake ', Moapa ', Modena, Utah, Lund ', Milford ', Islen, Nev. 1928 [crossed out, Wann ' [crossed out]."
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The Tonopah, Nevada Mining Town Photograph Album (approximately 1908) consists of twenty-two photographs in a leather-bound album. The photographs depict businesses, townspeople, street scenes, and mining operations in Tonopah, Nevada and the surrounding areas of Goldfield, Nevada and Mina, Nevada. Also included are photographs of a fire on May 12, 1908 that destroyed a block of commercial buildings in Tonopah, which were taken by local photographer E. W. Smith., and views of the downtown area both before and after the fire.
Archival Collection
Drilling in the Las Vegas Heights District with Mr. Booth and Mr. Madison performing the work.
Transcribed Notes: Transcribed from front of photo: "1st well. Vegas Hts. About 1907. Booth & Madison, Drillers."; Transcribed from photo sleeve: "A drill rig which put down the hole for the first well in the Las Vegas Heights District in Las Vegas in 1907. The crew were Booth and Madison."
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