Guide to the Helen J. Stewart Photographs

Transcription

1 This finding aid was created by Lindsay Oden and Carol A. Corbett on April 27, 28. Persistent URL for this finding aid: 28 The Regents of the University of Nevada. All rights reserved. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. Box S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, Nevada

2 Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Biographical Note... 3 Scope and Contents Note... 5 Arrangement... 5 Administrative Information... 6 Related Materials... 6 Names and Subjects... 6 Collection Inventory... 7 Native American artifacts photographs... 7 Las Vegas Ranch and Las Vegas Fort photographs... 8 Early Las Vegas, Nevada photographs Locations in the Southwestern United States photographs Stewart Family photographs Page 2 -

3 Summary Information Repository: Creator: Title: ID: University of Nevada, Las Vegas. University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. Stewart, Helen Jane Wiser Stewart (Helen J.) Photographs PH-004 Date [inclusive]: approximately Physical Description: Physical Description: Language of the Material: Abstract: Preferred Citation 5.3 Linear Feet (9 hanging folders, 4 s, and 1 shared box of negatives) 1.14 Cubic Feet (9 hanging folders, 4 s, and 1 shared box of negatives) English The Helen J. Stewart Photographs depict the Stewart Family from approximately 1860 to The photographs primarily depict Helen J. Stewart and her children as well as the Stewart Ranch (also know as the Las Vegas Ranch) in Southern Nevada. The photographs include the early Las Vegas, Nevada town site, landscapes of Southern Nevada and the American Southwest, mines and mining camps, railroads and railroad workers, the Las Vegas Fort (also known as the Old Mormon Fort), hotels and early businesses in Las Vegas, Native Americans and Native American artifacts, and postcards. Helen J. Stewart Photographs, approximately PH-004. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Biographical Note Helen Jane Wiser Stewart was born in 1854 in Springfield, Illinois. When she was nine years old, the family moved to Nevada, and then to Sacramento, California in Helen was educated in Sacramento and in 1873 she married Archibald Stewart in Stockton, California. Archibald Stewart operated a freighting business in Pioche, Nevada, and he and Helen lived there during Pioche's boom years. The Stewart's first three children were born in the Pioche area: William James in 1874, followed by Hiram Richard less than two years later, and Flora Eliza Jane (known as Tiza) in Page 3-

4 In 1879 Archibald Stewart loaned O. D. Gass, the owner of the Las Vegas Ranch, $5,000, with the ranch as collateral. By 1881 Gass had defaulted on the loan and eventually Archibald decided to move his family to the Las Vegas Ranch. In 1882 the family moved from Pioche to the ranch. Shortly after their arrival, Helen gave birth to Evaline La Vega, known as Eva. The Stewarts settled into running the ranch as a farm and waystation for travelers. In 1884 tragedy struck when Archibald was killed at the neighboring Kiel Ranch. Helen was pregnant at the time of Archibald's death and later that year she and her family traveled to Galt, California, while her father, Hiram Wiser, took over operation of the ranch. In Galt she gave birth to a son, Archibald. She then returned to the ranch. Over the next several years, Helen attempted to sell the ranch, but she was unable to find a buyer. In 1889 talk of a railroad to be built through the Las Vegas Valley and the Muddy Valley prompted Helen, along with other members of her family, to purchase large tracts of possible railroad land. During this period, the Stewart children were taught by a tutor at the ranch. The three younger children were sent to school in California beginning in Then, in July 1899 her youngest and favorite, Archie, was killed chasing wild horses on the ranch. By 19 the railroad through Southern Nevada was becoming a reality and Helen sold the Las Vegas Ranch to the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad. A four-acre parcel was reserved as the family burial site. In 19 she moved her family to Los Angeles, California. Shortly thereafter, her son Hiram died, leaving a wife and two children. Also in 19, Helen married Frank Stewart, who had been hired at the Las Vegas Ranch in The Stewarts purchased land near the ranch and in late 19 returned there to join in the building of a thriving community in Las Vegas. For the next twenty years, Helen was a part of the social, political, and business life of early Las Vegas and was an early member of the Mesquite Club. She became an authority on state history and developed an extensive collection of Native American baskets, which had the reputation of being the finest in the state. She was appointed by Nevada Governor Emmet D. Boyle as a delegate to the Twelfth Annual Convention for the American Civic Association in Washington D.C. in Later that year, she became the first woman elected to the Clark County School Board. During her time on the Stewart Ranch and around Las Vegas, she befriended numerous Paiute people who lived nearby. In 1911, when the federal government was searching for land to establish a Native American reservation, Stewart deeded to the government the land that became the Las Vegas Paiute Indian Colony on North Main Street. She also donated land for the construction of the Las Vegas Grammar School in 1922, which was the first public school attended by Native Americans from the Southern Paiute Indian Colony. In 1918 Frank Stewart died of cancer, and Helen's mother, Delia Gray Wiser, passed away the following year. Helen later became ill with cancer, and in 1924 was taken to Los Angeles for treatment. On March 6, 1926 she passed away. Businesses in Las Vegas closed for the day her funeral and people came from all areas of the state to attend the funeral of the woman who has been described as "The First Lady of Las Vegas." Sources: Townley, Carrie Miller. "Helen Stewart," Nevada Historical Society Quarterly, Winter, 1973 and Spring, Page 4-

5 Porter, Carrie Townley. "Helen J. Stewart," Nevada Women's History Project. University of Nevada. Evans, K. J. "Helen Stewart," Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 7, news/helen-stewart Scope and Contents Note The Helen J. Stewart Photographs depict the Stewart Family from approximately 1860 to The photographs primarily depict Helen J. Stewart and her children as well as the Stewart Ranch (also know as the Las Vegas Ranch) in Southern Nevada. The photographs include the early Las Vegas, Nevada town site, landscapes of Southern Nevada and the American Southwest, mines and mining camps, railroads and railroad workers, the Las Vegas Fort (also known as the Old Mormon Fort), hotels and early businesses in Las Vegas, Native Americans and Native American artifacts, and postcards. The items described include photographic prints, postcards, and negatives, and slides; items listed are photographic prints unless otherwise specified. Arrangement Materials are arranged into five series: Series I. Native American artifacts photographs, approximately ; Series II. Las Vegas Ranch and Las Vegas Fort photographs, approximately ; Series III. Early Las Vegas, Nevada photographs, approximately ; Series IV. Locations in the Southwestern United States photographs, approximately ; Series V. Stewart Family photographs, approximately Page 5-

6 Administrative Information Access The collection is open for research. Portions of this collection have been digitized and are available online. Publication Rights Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish. Processing Note Materials were processed by Special Collections staff. In 26, as part of a legacy finding aid conversion project, Lindsay Oden wrote the collection description in compliance with current professional standards. Related Materials Related Materials The following resources may provide additional information related to the materials in this collection: Nevada Burial Records of Stewart Ranch, MS-001. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Helen J. Stewart Collection, MS-071. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Names and Subjects Photographs Las Vegas (Nev.) Las Vegas Mormon Fort (Nev.) Kiel Ranch (North Las Vegas, Nev.) Las Vegas Ranch (Nev.) - Page 6-

7 Southern Paiute Indians Stay, Evaline Stewart Stewart Family Collection Inventory Native American artifacts photographs, approximately Physical Description: 1.2 Linear Feet (2 hanging folders and 1 ) Scope and Contents Note: The antiquities photographs depict Native American petroglyphs and Native American baskets collected by Helen J. Stewart from approximately 1900 to Arrangement: Materials remain in original order. Title/Description Containers Native American petroglyphs, approximately folder Native American petroglyphs, approximately folder Frank Stewart, Helen J. Stewart, and friends with baskets, approximately Frank Stewart, Helen J. Stewart, and friends with baskets, approximately folder folder Man with Helen Stewart's baskets, approximately folder Man with Helen Stewart's baskets, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart with her basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart with her basket collection, approximately folder Baskets from Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart with her basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart with her basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart with a baby and her basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder - Page 7-

8 Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart and woman looking at her basket collection, approximately Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart's basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart and woman looking at her basket collection, approximately folder Helen J. Stewart and two others looking at a basket, approximately folder Las Vegas Ranch and Las Vegas Fort photographs, approximately Physical Description: 3.5 Linear Feet (4 hanging folders, 3 s, and 1 shared box of negatives) Scope and Contents: The Las Vegas Ranch and Las Vegas Fort photographs depict the Las Vegas Ranch (also known as the Stewart Ranch) and the Las Vegas Fort (also known as the Old Mormon Fort) from approximately 1900 to The land around the Stewart Ranch and the Las Vegas Fort eventually became the town site for the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. The photographs include the fort, houses at the Stewart Ranch, the orchard, and Las Vegas Creek. The items described include photographic prints and negatives; items listed are photographic prints unless otherwise specified. Arrangement: Materials remain in original order. Title/Description Containers Man with a cradle on his back, approximately folder Stewart Ranch House and south wall of the Las Vegas Fort, approximately folder Postcard: the Stewart home, Las Vegas, approximately folder Stewart Ranch House and south wall of the Las Vegas Fort, approximately Stewart Ranch and tents, Las Vegas, approximately 19 Stewart Ranch, Las Vegas, undated Negative: Las Vegas Ranch house, Las Vegas, approximately Las Vegas Ranch house and wall of the Las Vegas Fort, Las Vegas, approximately folder box SH-1 folder Las Vegas Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately folder Las Vegas Ranch house and wall of the Las Vegas Fort, Las Vegas, approximately Page 8- folder

9 Negative: Las Vegas Fort, Las Vegas, approximately folder Negative: Las Vegas Fort and Las Vegas Creek, Las Vegas, approximately folder Negative: Las Vegas Fort, Las Vegas, approximately folder Stewart Ranch and tents, Las Vegas, approximately Stewart Ranch and tents, Las Vegas, approximately 19 Las Vegas Fort and Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately Stewart Ranch and tents, Las Vegas, approximately Family at Las Vegas Creek, Nevada, approximately Family at Las Vegas Creek, Nevada, approximately Family at Las Vegas Creek, Nevada, approximately Family at Las Vegas Creek, Nevada, approximately Stewart Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately Family tent on the Stewart Ranch, approximately Family at Las Vegas Creek, Nevada, approximately Family and mules at Las Vegas Creek, Nevada, approximately Postcard: Stewart Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately folder Stewart Ranch and Las Vegas Creek, approximately folder Postcard: Las Vegas Creek, Las Vegas, approximately folder Forest area near the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder Postcard: Las Vegas Creek, Las Vegas, approximately folder Orchard at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder Orchard at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder Tree branch at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder Child in a tree at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder Children sitting in a tree, Las Vegas, approximately folder - Page 9-

10 Woman with a gun standing near Las Vegas Creek, approximately folder Las Vegas Ranch, approximately Las Vegas Ranch, approximately Ducks at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder Horses and cows at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder Las Vegas Ranch landscape, approximately folder Las Vegas Ranch landscape, approximately folder Las Vegas Ranch landscape, approximately folder Las Vegas Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately folder Las Vegas Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately folder Horses at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder Woman at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder Person at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder 04 Woman at the Las Vegas Ranch, approximately folder 04 Cows at the Las Vegas Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately Dining room at the Las Vegas Ranch, 1907 folder 09 Las Vegas Ranch houses, Las Vegas, approximately folder 09 Early Las Vegas, Nevada photographs, approximately Physical Description: 1.2 Linear Feet (2 hanging folders and 1 ) Scope and Contents Note: The early Las Vegas, Nevada photographs depict the city of Las Vegas from approximately 1890 to The photographs primarily depict hotels, freight teams, and early businesses in the city. The items described include photographic prints and postcards; items listed are photographic prints unless otherwise specified. Arrangement: Materials remain in original order. Title/Description Containers McWilliamstown, Nevada, 1904 folder 04 Postcard: railroad depot, Las Vegas, approximately folder 04 Postcard: Hotel Charleston, Las Vegas, approximately folder 04 People near the Overland Hotel, Las Vegas, approximately folder 04 Postcard: Murray and Buol Well, Las Vegas, approximately folder 04 - Page 10-

11 First schoolhouse in Las Vegas located at 2nd and Lewis streets, approximately Las Vegas Drug Store, approximately Las Vegas Hospital, 1909 folder 04 Early businesses in Las Vegas, including the Las Vegas Bank & Trust and a drug store, approximately Arizona Club, Las Vegas, 1905 Arizona Club, Las Vegas, 1905 Arizona Club, Las Vegas, 1905 John S. Park residence on Fremont Street, Las Vegas, approximately Grade near the Kiel Ranch, approximately Freight team of mules at the Kiel Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately folder 08 Freight team of horses, undated folder 08 Men and horses by a Joshua tree, approximately folder 08 Freight team of mules, approximately folder 08 Freight team of mules, undated folder 08 Freight team of mules near Las Vegas, Nevada, 1906 June folder 08 Freight team of mules near Las Vegas, Nevada, 1906 June folder 08 Locations in the Southwestern United States photographs, approximately Physical Description: 1.5 Linear Feet (4 hanging folders, 1 shared box of negatives, and 1 ) Scope and Contents Note: The locations in the Southwest United States photographs depict settlements and mining operations in Nevada, California, and Arizona from approximately 1860 to The photographs include the Colorado River, Goldfield, Nevada, desert landscapes, railroad surveyors, workers, and Native Americans. Arrangement: Materials remain in original order. Title/Description Postcard: men beside train Engine 3416, Caliente, Nevada, approximately Containers folder 04 Colorado River, Nevada, approximately folder 04 - Page 11-

12 Boat on the Colorado River, approximately folder 04 Postcard: Eureka, Nevada, 1913 June folder 04 Postcard: Combination Mine, Goldfield, Nevada, 1911 July 21 folder 04 Postcard: Goldfield Consolidated Mill, Goldfield, Nevada, 1911 July 21 folder 04 Goodsprings, Nevada, approximately folder 04 Negative: Kyle Canyon Sawmill north of Las Vegas, approximately box SH-1 Negative: Toinavah Wall, Arizona, approximately folder 04 Watsons Camp, Arizona, approximately folder 05 House in California, approximately folder 05 House in California, approximately folder 05 Manvel Hotel, California, approximately folder 05 Train attendant and train, approximately folder 08 Women in front of a house, approximately folder 08 Freight team of mules, Goodsprings, Nevada, approximately folder 08 Man beside wooden building, approximately folder 08 Fire in the desert, approximately folder 08 Car in a wooded location, approximately folder 08 Cows beside Joshua tree, approximately folder 08 Wagon filled with hay, approximately folder 08 Mine, approximately folder 08 Mine, approximately folder 08 Cabin and a desert landscape, approximately Cabin and a desert landscape, approximately folder 08 West End Borax, Tonopah, Nevada, approximately 1925 Woman in front of large building, approximately folder 08 Wooden building in desert, approximately folder 08 People in front of a large building, approximately folder 08 Rock face in the desert, approximately folder 09 Mule with pack, approximately folder 09 Mining location, approximately folder 09 - Page 12-

13 Men at a mine, approximately folder 09 Coastline observed from a boat, approximately folder 09 Dock and water, approximately folder 09 Rocky shoreline, approximately folder 09 Coastline observed from a boat, approximately Group of people surrounded by snow, approximately Negative: stable at the Las Vegas Ranch, Las Vegas, 1909 Horses at the Las Vegas Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately Railroad surveyors next to wagon, approximately Railroad surveyors next to wagon, approximately Railroad surveyor next to building, approximately box SH-1 People in front of billboards, approximately folder 09 Pine Canyon, Nevada, 1908 folder 09 Men in front of wagon, 1908 November folder 09 Horses by the Mesquite Well, Nevada, 1908 folder 09 Clark's Well, Willow Springs, Nevada, 1908 folder 09 Lester's Camp, Nevada, 1909 folder 09 Sandstone Ranch, Nevada, approximately folder 09 Desert quarries, Nevada, approximately folder 09 Spring near sandstone quarry, Nevada, approximately folder 09 Indian Frank's camp, Nevada, approximately folder 09 Native American woman, Nevada, approximately folder 09 Men in car, Nevada, approximately folder 09 Man in front of a fence, approximately folder 09 Stewart Family photographs, approximately Physical Description: 2.5 Linear Feet (5 hanging folders, 2 s, and 1 shared box of negatives) - Page 13-

14 Scope and Contents Note: The Stewart Family photographs depict the Stewart Family in Nevada and California from approximately 1869 to Arrangement: Materials remain in original order. Title/Description Containers Archibald Stewart in San Francisco, California, approximately folder 05 Archibald Stewart, approximately folder 05 Archibald Stewart and his father, 1869 folder 05 Grandmother Wiser, Helen J. Stewart's grandmother, approximately folder 05 Helen J. Stewart, approximately folder 05 Helen J. Stewart, approximately folder 05 Helen J. Stewart, approximately folder 05 Helen J. Stewart, approximately folder 05 Helen J. Stewart, approximately folder 05 Helen J. Stewart, approximately Helen J. Stewart, approximately folder 05 Helen J. Stewart, approximately folder 05 Helen J. Stewart, approximately Helen J. Stewart, approximately folder 05 Helen J. Stewart in California, approximately folder 05 Will Stewart, approximately folder 05 Will Stewart, approximately folder 05 Archie Stewart, approximately folder 05 Flora Eliza Stewart, approximately folder 05 Flora Eliza Stewart, approximately folder 05 Flora Eliza Stewart, approximately folder 05 Flora Eliza Stewart, approximately folder 06 Evaline Stewart, 1888 folder 06 Evaline Stewart, approximately folder 06 Evaline Stewart, approximately folder 06 Evaline Stewart, approximately folder 06 Evaline Stewart, approximately folder 06 Evaline Stewart on a mule, approximately folder 06 - Page 14-

15 Evaline Stewart in a Native American costume, approximately folder 06 Helen J. Stewart and her daughters Evaline and Flora Eliza, approximately folder 06 Archie Stewart, approximately folder 06 Archie Stewart, approximately folder 06 Archie Stewart, approximately folder 06 Flora Eliza and Evaline Stewart, approximately folder 06 Lena Carl Stewart, Evaline Stewart, Flora Eliza Stewart, and Dreme Gann, approximately folder 06 Lena Carl Stewart, Will Stewart, and Archie Stewart, approximately folder 06 Negative: Frank Stewart, Will Stewart, Helen J. Stewart, Evaline Stewart, Hyram Stewart, and Flora Eliza Stewart, undated box SH-1 Postcard: Helen J. Stewart and woman with child, approximately folder 06 Lena Carl Stewart, approximately folder 06 Mina Crosby Stewart, approximately folder 06 William and Mina Crosby Stewart, 1904 May folder 06 Mina Crosby Stewart, Helen J. Stewart, and Will Stewart, approximately Evaline Stay Moden, 1946 June 26 folder 06 Vida M. C. Boyle, approximately folder 06 Emmet D. Boyle, approximately Woman in a house, approximately folder 06 Women, approximately folder 07 Daisy Mike, Native American worker at the Stewart Ranch, 1917 folder 07 Postcard: two Native American people, approximately folder 07 Three men with a car, approximately folder 07 Portrait of a woman, approximately folder 07 Archie Stewart on a horse, approximately folder 07 Worker at Stewart Ranch, Las Vegas, approximately folder 07 Evaline Stewart dressed like a Native American playing with a man, approximately folder 07 Child in a Native American costume, approximately folder 07 Women outdoors, approximately folder 07 - Page 15-

16 Helen J. Stewart and two others having tea outdoors, approximately folder 07 People outdoors, approximately folder 07 Clinton Peter Stay and his nephew, approximately folder 07 People outdoors, approximately folder 07 Flora Eliza Stewart, approximately folder 07 Helen J. Stewart in California, approximately folder 07 Woman in a garden, approximately folder 07 Lena Crosby Stewart Yount, approximately folder 07 People near a stagecoach, Rancho Palos Verdes during filming of the movie "Arizona", 1940 May 25 folder 07 Flora Eliza Stewart and two others, 1943 November folder 07 Group of women, approximately folder 07 Group of people sitting at picnic tables, approximately folder 07 Baby wrapped in blankets, approximately folder 07 Flora Eliza Stewart and man, approximately folder 07 People near Silver Lake, Los Angeles, 1940 June folder 07 Clarence Stay, Helen J. Stewart, and a child, approximately folder 08 Flora Eliza Stewart, approximately folder 08 Helen J. Stewart and a baby in front of her collection of baskets, Las Vegas, approximately folder 09 Man in Helen J. Stewart's yard, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1924 folder 09 Helen J. Stewart and her nephew outdoors, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1924 May 11 folder 09 Helen J. Stewart and her nephew outdoors, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1924 May 11 folder 09 - Page 16-

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