This finding aid was created by Crystal Aubuchon-Mendoza and Kayla McDuffie on September 25, 2017. Persistent URL for this finding aid: http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/f1760b 2017 The Regents of the University of Nevada. All rights reserved. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. Box 457010 4505 S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-7010 special.collections@unlv.edu
Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Biographical Note... 3 Scope and Contents Note... 4 Arrangement... 5 Administrative Information... 5 Related Materials... 6 Names and Subjects... 6 Collection Inventory... 6 Personal Papers... 6 Publications... 7 Visual Materials... 10 - Page 2 -
Summary Information Repository: Creator: Title: ID: University of Nevada, Las Vegas. University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. Woodruff, Robert Robert Woodruff Papers MS-00455 Date [inclusive]: 1922-1986 Physical Description: Language of the Material: Abstract: Preferred Citation 9.25 Linear Feet (16 boxes) English The Robert Woodruff Papers are comprised of materials that document Woodruff's career in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada from 1922 to the 1986. The collection provides insight into Las Vegas' early development as a tourist destination as well as visual documentation of Las Vegas and Henderson from the 1930s to the 1970s. The collection contains publications, photographs, personal correspondence, news clippings, and a number of rare Las Vegas tourist publications dating from the 1930s and 1940s. Robert Woodruff Papers, 1922-1986. MS-00455. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Biographical Note Robert Woodruff, a student at Oberlin College, first came to Nevada during his summer vacations to work on the Hoover Dam. After graduating in 1937 he decided to relocate to Las Vegas with plans to start a newspaper. While making his plans for the newspaper, Woodruff became the Assistant Recreation Director of Las Vegas, a position that had him managing the only public swimming pool in the area, the Mermaid Pool. It was at the Mermaid Pool where Woodruff met Mabel Koehler. The two married after Woodruff proposed on the Arizona side of the Hoover Dam. Shortly after his marriage in 1938 Robert Woodruff began working for Riddle Scenic Tours, guiding and managing tours that could last up to a week. His schedule of tours included Scotty's Castle in Death Valley, California, and Boulder Dam, Nevada. Returning to his dream of starting a Las Vegas newspaper, Woodruff approached regional newspapers across the country with the hope that one of them would need a correspondent in the Southwest. He was - Page 3-
convinced that Las Vegas would become a cosmopolitan city in the heart of the Southwest, and believed that newspapers should cover Las Vegas events. When none of the newspapers accepted his offer, Woodruff and his wife started their own mimeograph newsletter, the Town Crier. Published in 1939, the newsletter carried not only news but editorial columns, analysis of Las Vegas politics, and even poetry. The newsletter was free and was delivered by the Woodruffs every Friday morning to all houses and businesses in Las Vegas. In the spring of 1944 he was inducted into the military at Salt Lake City and assigned to the Army Signal Corps. He was shipped to Camp Crowder, Missouri where he went through basic training. In 1945, Robert Woodruff received orders to ship out to Fort Shafter, Hawaii. There he worked as a cryptographer for the remainder of World War II. Once discharged, Woodruff and his family returned to Las Vegas. While working as a photographer for Sears Roebuck, Woodruff heard of a small Henderson photography store that was for sale. He purchased the store and renamed it Woodruff's Basic Photo after the Henderson Basic Magnesium plant. Basic Photo provided regular services such as selling photo supplies, developing film, and portraiture, but Woodruff was also active in the community shooting photographs for local newspapers and town events such as the Henderson Industrial Days and Las Vegas' Helldorado. Following a move to Henderson, Woodruff continued his community activities, even acting as an occasional preacher for the Henderson Community Church. Between photographing community events and various photo contests, Woodruff also found time to write a column called "Picture That" for the Henderson Home News. In the column, Woodruff gave advice on photography such as how to shop for cameras or how to shoot the best pictures. In 1952 the family returned to Las Vegas. Woodruff continued his community involvement in both Henderson and Las Vegas by volunteering at St. Rose de Lima Hospital, sponsoring youth bowling leagues, and working with the Chamber of Commerce. Because of his dedication to the community, Robert Woodruff was named 1959 Man of the Year by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce. One night while walking the family dog in 1965, Robert Woodruff was assaulted and mugged. The city was growing quickly and starting to manifest many of the problems associated with a metropolitan area. In the early 1970s Woodruff was pistol whipped while working at Basic Photo and his photo equipment was later stolen from his house. In 1973 Woodruff sold Woodruff's Basic Photo to Robert Shiles on the condition that Shiles maintain the name Basic Photo. The Woodruffs decided on Sedona, Arizona as their new home. Woodruff carried his interest in community service to Arizona, working with the Junior Chamber of Commerce, opening another photography store, and becoming an elected official. For further biographical information, see Bigglestone, Kay. Mabel Koheler Woodruff and her Family. Unpublished Family History. Tucson, Arizona, 2001. Available in UNLV Special Collections Scope and Contents Note The Robert Woodruff Papers are comprised of materials that document Woodruff's career in Las Vegas and Henderson from 1922 to the 1986. From his early work as a guide for Riddle Scenic Tours to his later work as photographer and owner of Basic Photo in Henderson, the collection provides insight into - Page 4-
Las Vegas' early development as a tourist destination as well as visual documentation of Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada from the 1930s to the 1970s. The collection contains publications, photographs, personal correspondence and news clippings. Among these are a number of rare Las Vegas tourist publications dating from the 1930s and 1940s, including Woodruff's own self-published newsletter, the Town Crier (1939). Arrangement This collection is organized into 3 series: Series I. Personal Papers, 1937-1986. Series II. Publications, 1930-1983. Series III. Visual Materials, 1922 1980s. Administrative Information Access Collection is open for research. Publication Rights For permission to reproduce or publish from this collection, please contact the Director of Special Collections. Acquisition Note Materials were gifted by Kay Woodruff Bigglestone in 2002; accession number 2002-025. Processing Note Material was processed by Crystal Aubuchon-Mendoza in 2004. In 2014, as part of a legacy finding aid conversion project, Kayla McDuffie revised and enhanced the collection description to bring it into compliance with current professional standards. Subsequently Kayla McDuffie entered the data into ArchivesSpace. Revision Description The finding aid was revised by Kayla McDuffie to bring it into compliance with DACS. July 2014 - Page 5-
Related Materials Separation Note Selected photographs have been taken out and placed in the Robert Woodruff Photograph Collection PH-00340. Names and Subjects Helldorado Parade Hoover Dam (Ariz. And Nev.) History. City planning -- Nevada -- Henderson -- Maps City and town life -- Henderson (Nev.) -- Twentieth century Nevada -- Clark County -- History -- Twentieth century Collection Inventory Personal Papers, 1935-1986 Physical Description: 0.42 Linear Feet (1 box) Scope and Contents Note: The personal series contains Woodruff's personal correspondence, newspaper clippings, award certificates and documents concerning his community activities. This series also contains a rare collection of Las Vegas newsletters published throughout 1939, including Woodruff's own newsletter, the Town Crier. The community activities contained in this series focus primarily on the Chamber of Commerce and Board of City Commissioners, but there is also a small sampling from Las Vegas' 1938 Helldorado. Also integral to the personal series are the notes and articles Woodruff wrote while working for Riddle Scenic Tours, providing a glimpse into the 1930s Las Vegas tourism industry. Arrangement: Materials are arranged alphabetically. Title/Description - Page 6- Containers Award Certificates, 1957-1980 box 01 folder 01 Basic Photo, 1960 April-1973 September box 01 folder 02 Board of City Commissioners, 1935 September-1939 June box 01 folder 03 Board of City Commissioners, 1959 box 01 folder 04
Business Correspondence, 1937-1944 box 01 folder 05 Helldorado, 1938 box 01 folder 06 Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1938-1958 box 01 folder 07 Newsletters: The Item, 1939 July-August box 01 folder 08 Newsletters: The Scoop, undated box 01 folder 09 Newsletters: Town Crier, 1939 January-April box 01 folder 10 Newsletters: Town Crier, 1939 May-August box 01 folder 11 Newsletters: Town Crier, 1939 September-December box 01 folder 12 News clippings: Robert Woodruff, 1960 January-1973 September box 01 folder 13 News clippings: Miscellaneous, 1950s-1980s box 01 folder 14 Riddle Scenic Tours 1, 1937-1938 box 01 folder 15 Riddle Scenic Tours 2, 1930s-1940s box 01 folder 16 Sedona, Arizona Community, 1975-1986 box 01 folder 17 Miscellaneous Ephemera, 1940 May-1964 April box 01 folder 18 Publications, 1930-1983 Physical Description: 0.83 Linear Feet (2 boxes) Scope and Contents Note: The publication series contains numerous magazines, travel guides, tourist pamphlets and maps dating through the 1930s and 1940s which served as background information. Many of the publications are rare Las Vegas tourist magazines with advertisements for local hotels and events. Travel guides for areas such as Death Valley and Hoover Dam are indicative of Woodruff's time as a tour operator for Riddle Scenic Tours and provide documentation for the growth of American travel and the development of national parks. A large part of this collection is reserved for the Henderson Industrial Days publications, dating from 1960 to 1973. Arrangement: Materials are arranged according to geographic area and then chronologically. Title/Description Boulder City Containers Construction of Boulder Dam, 1934 box 02 folder 01 The Story of Hoover Dam: Volume 1, 1932 box 02 folder 01 The Story of Hoover Dam: Volume 2, 1932 box 02 folder 01 The Story of Hoover Dam: Volume 3, 1932 box 02 folder 01 The Story of Hoover Dam: Volume 4, 1933 box 02 folder 02 The Story of Hoover Dam: Volume 5, 1934 box 02 folder 02 Boulder Canyon Project, 1936 box 02 folder 03 - Page 7-
Boulder Dam Tax Revenue, 1939 box 02 folder 03 Report of the Colorado River Commission of Nevada, 1935-1937 box 02 folder 03 Boulder Canyon Project: Questions and Answers, 1936 May 01 box 02 folder 03 Boulder City Reminder, 1938 box 02 folder 04 Boulder Dam Park Museum, Overton, Nevada, 1936 July box 02 folder 04 Road Map of Boulder Dam and Vicinity, 1940s box 02 folder 04 Overland Life, 1945 March box 02 folder 04 "Workers and Spouses on Hoover Dam", 1983 April 4 box 02 folder 04 Henderson Town Site Plancor (Basic Magnesium), 1940s box 02 folder 05 Basic Magnesium Publication, 1940s box 02 folder 05 Area map of Henderson (with Woodruff's notes), 1950s box 02 folder 06 Area map of Henderson (yellow, with Woodruff's notes), 1950s box 02 folder 06 Area map of Henderson (Master Copy), 1950s box 02 folder 06 Area map of Henderson (with advertisments), 1950s box 02 folder 06 Dedication of Al Landsman Gardens, 1950s box 02 folder 07 Henderson Police Manual, 1950s box 02 folder 07 Henderson Youth Center Dedication, 1956 December 29 box 02 folder 07 Industrial Days: Junior Horse Show, 1960 April 24 box 02 folder 08 Industrial Days: Schedule of Events, 1963 April box 02 folder 08 Industrial Days: Work Requirements, 1963 April box 02 folder 08 Henderson Industrial Days, 1964 April box 02 folder 09 Henderson Industrial Days, 1965 April box 02 folder 09 Henderson Industrial Days, 1966 April box 02 folder 09 Henderson Industrial Days, 1967 April box 02 folder 10 Henderson Industrial Days, 1968 April box 02 folder 10 Henderson Industrial Days, 1969 April box 02 folder 10 Henderson Industrial Days, 1970 April box 02 folder 11 Henderson Industrial Days, 1971 April box 02 folder 11 Henderson Industrial Days, 1972 April box 02 folder 11 Henderson Industrial Days, 1973 April-May box 02 folder 11 Las Vegas - Page 8-
Luck of Las Vegas: Volume 1, Number 1, 1946 December 6 box 03 folder 01 Luck of Las Vegas: Volume 1, Number 2, 1946 December 27 box 03 folder 01 Las Vegan Stop and Shop, 1946 November 25 box 03 folder 01 Las Vegas Life, 1946 October 16 box 03 folder 01 Las Vegas Life, 1946 November 4 box 03 folder 01 Boulder Dam and Las Vegas Travel Map, 1940s box 03 folder 01 Las Vegas Holiday Pocket Guide, 1947 May-June box 03 folder 02 Las Vegas Tourist Pocket Guide, 1947 October 3 box 03 folder 02 Las Vegas Tourist Pocket Guide, 1947 October 10 box 03 folder 02 Las Vegas Tourist Pocket Guide, 1947 October 17 box 03 folder 02 Your Host in Las Vegas, Nevada Magazine, 1950 February box 03 folder 03 Your Host in Las Vegas, Nevada Magazine, 1950 March box 03 folder 03 Clark County, Nevada Epic, 1952 October 1 box 03 folder 03 Panorama Goes Clubbing (Las Vegas Feature), 1953 August 22-29 box 03 folder 03 Las Vegas Report, 1960 box 03 folder 04 Las Vegas Shopper: Volume 1, Number 1, 1961 September 20 box 03 folder 04 Nevada Highways and Parks: Las Vegas Issue, 1962 box 03 folder 04 Las Vegas Quarterback Club Wildcat Sports Brochure, 1965 box 03 folder 04 Las Vegas Quarterback Club Wildcat Sports Brochure, 1966 box 03 folder 04 Nevada Nevada, the Cyclone Center for the Tax Weary, 1930s box 03 folder 05 One Sound State, 1936 box 03 folder 05 Nevada Highways and Parks, 1937 March box 03 folder 06 Nevada Highways and Parks, 1937 November box 03 folder 06 Time Magazine: Map of Nevada, 1937 box 03 folder 06 Political Digest of Nevada: Volume 1, Number 2, 1938 August 19 box 03 folder 06 Political Digest of Nevada: Volume 1, Number 3, 1938 August 26 box 03 folder 06 Political Digest of Nevada: Volume 1, Number 4, 1938 September 2 box 03 folder 06 Southern Nevada: Spring and Summer, 1940 box 03 folder 07 The Nevada Magazine, 1945 July box 03 folder 07 Nevada Life, 1945 September box 03 folder 07 Nevada Life, 1945 December box 03 folder 07 - Page 9-
Dude Ranch in the Desert (Warm Springs), 1940s box 03 folder 07 Gambling Unlimited, 1940s box 03 folder 07 Automobile Road Map of the State of Nevada, 1940s box 03 folder 07 The Reporter, 1953 June 9 box 03 folder 08 UI Buyer's Digest: Nevada, 1958 February box 03 folder 08 Nevada Highways and Parks, 1963 box 03 folder 08 Nevada Highways and Parks, 1964 box 03 folder 08 Southwest Union Pacific Bulletin, 1938 February box 03 folder 09 Union Pacific Bulletin, 1938 March box 03 folder 09 The Desert Magazine, 1939 September box 03 folder 09 The Desert Magazine, 1939 December box 03 folder 09 Map of the National Forests of Northern Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, 1932 box 03 folder 10 Utah Road Map, 1940 box 03 folder 10 Historical Trails through New Mexico, 1940 box 03 folder 10 Map of Nevada and Utah, 1940s box 03 folder 10 Death Valley Tourist Pamphlet, 1940s box 03 folder 10 Topics: Volume 2, Number 1, Spring 1945 box 03 folder 11 Topics: Volume 2, Number 3, Winter 1945 box 03 folder 11 The Em-Kayan, 1951 December box 03 folder 11 The Em-Kayan, 1953 July box 03 folder 11 Visual Materials, 1922-1980 Physical Description: 8 Linear Feet (13 boxes) Scope and Contents Note: The largest series of the collection is the one dedicated to photographs. Photographs taken as early as the 1930s show Las Vegas during and after the construction of Hoover Dam, providing a point of concentration for the study of the city's growth. Not limited to architecture and scenery, Woodruff also photographed many community events such as Henderson's Industrial Days, providing a valuable resource for his community, as well as documenting the early days of Henderson. Arrangement: Materials are arranged according to material medium. Title/Description Photographs Containers - Page 10-
Photos of Las Vegas: Boy Scouts, Helldorado, Henderson Industrial Days, Las Vegas High School, Mermaid Swimming Pool, Scenery, etc., 1930s-1960s Photos of Las Vegas: Basic High School, Basic Photo, Family and Friends, Henderson Industrial Days, Hoover Dam, etc., 1930s-1960s box 04-04a box 05 Negatives Negatives and Photos of Las Vegas: Ohio to Nevada, Various Cities, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, Lost City, Boy Scouts, Mermaid Pool, First State Bank, Rodeo, Courthouse, etc., 1937-1939 Negatives and Photos of Las Vegas: Community Players Theater Group, Hoover Dam and Boulder City, Searchlight, Goodsprings, Tonopah, Basic Photo, Miscellaneous and Scenery, 1930s-1960s box 06 box 07 Negatives and Photos of Woodruff Family, 1930s-1970s box 08 Miscellaneous Scenery of the United States (alphabetize by the caption title), 1930s-1980s Miscellaneous: Fronter Club, Helldorado, Expositions, Convention Center, Las Vegas Sports, Henderson, Basic Photo, Henderson Industrial Days, Woodruff Family, and Various Scenery, 1940s-1980s box 09 box 09a Slides Las Vegas: flora and house: 10a, undated box 10 Sedona Area: 10b-10e, 1980s box 10 Sedona Area: mini album of slides, 1980s box 10 California: 10f, 1960s-1970s box 10 Sky and Clouds: 10f, 1970s box 10 Pacific Coast Vacations: 10g, 1970s-1980s box 10 Grand Canyon: 10h, 1970s box 10 Miscellaneous: 10h, 1960s-1980s box 10 Miscellaneous: 10i, 1960s-1980s box 10 2 Envelopes of Negatives: Bryce Canyon, 1970s box 10 Album of Negatives box 10 Slide Reels: Helldorado, Nevada and Las Vegas, Death Valley, Valley of Fire, Cross Country, Oberlin and Ohio Scenes, Country: Montana-Minnesota, Family and Miscellaneous Scenery, 1960s-1980s box 11-13 Old Camera Equipment, Slide Viewer and Audio Reels, 1955-1969 box 14 - Page 11-