unlv.MS-9 Guide to the Charles P. and Delphine Squires Collection Finding aid written by Marie Imus Special Collections, UNLV Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.November 1995 Finding aid encoded by Tom SommerJuly 2007 Descriptive Summary Charles P. and Delphine Squires Collection 1905-1964 (inclusive) MS-9 Squires, Charles P. (Charles Pember) 5 document boxes (3 linear feet) University of Nevada, Las Vegas. UNLV Libraries. Special Collections. Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-7010.This collection contains the family papers of Las Vegas pioneers Charles "Pop" Squires (editor of the Las Vegas Age and member of the Colorado River Commission) and his wife, Delphine, who helped found Christ Church Episcopal and the Mesquite Club. The Squires Papers concentrate on the Las Vegas years (1905- 1964), although there is some material from earlier periods. The Civic interests series contains miscellaneous items relating to early life in Las Vegas (1905-1958). The Manuscripts series contains book and short story manuscripts, articles, press releases and radio scripts written by Squires and his wife. The Correspondence series reflects the period 1910-1958 (many letters relating to his work on the CRC including some from President Herbert Hoover) with a few items dated earlier. The Family series contains items related to family life such as report cards, certificates, Parent Teacher Association, club activities, news clippings, and church activities. These items cover the years 1887- 1951.English Preferred Citation:

Charles P. and Delphone Squires, MS-9, Special Collections, UNLV Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

 Acquisition Information:

Donated by the Southern Nevada Historical Society.

 Processed by:

Marie Imus, November 13, 1995.

 Access:

This collection is open for research.

Publication Rights:

For permission to reproduce or publish from this collection, please contact the Director of Special Collections.

 Biographical Sketch

Charles Pember "Pop" Squires (1865-1958) came to Las Vegas in 1905, and quickly established himself as a community leader and prominent business. He is best known as the publisher of the Las Vegas Age newspaper, which he edited for almost forty years.

Born in Wisconsin, Squires lived in Los Angeles for many years, where he was active in real estate. He married Delphine Anderson (1868-1961) on July 21, 1889. The Squires moved to Las Vegas in 1905, and Charles acquired hotel, banking, lumber, and utility interests before purchasing the Las Vegas Age in 1908. The Age provided him with a forum with which to become influential both in Las Vegas and the state.

Active in the Republican Party, he received several appointments to government posts, the most distinguished of which was membership in the Nevada delegation to the Colorado River Commission. He was a founding member of the Nevada Sate Press Association, and wrote numerous historical articles. His community activities included serving as the director of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Master of the local Masonic Lodge, member of the Las Vegas Rotary Club, and the Elks Lodge. He and Delphine wrote many history articles together, including a history of Las Vegas.

Delphine Squires was an early member of the California Congress of Mothers, a forerunner of the Parent Teacher Association. She established a branch of the Congress of Mothers in Las Vegas in 1907. In addition to being a founding member of the Christ Church Episcopal, she was active in the federated Women's Club, Eastern Star, Mesquite Club, and helped to found the Las Vegas Library.

There is additional biographical information on the Squires in the Special Collections biographical files. This information may be obtained by request at the Special Collections reference desk. There is also an oral history, Las Vegas: My Home for Sixty Years, by Florence Boyer, the Squires' daughter.

Scope and Content

The Squires Collection concentrates on the Las Vegas years (1905-1964), although there is some material from earlier periods. The collection consists of four boxes and an oversize folder. Each box is a series within the collection.

The Civic Interests Series (Box 1) contains miscellaneous items relating to early life in Las Vegas (1905-1958). The Manuscript Series (Box 2) contains book and short story manuscripts, articles, press releases and radio scripts. The Correspondence Series (Box 3) reflects the period 1910-1958 with a few items dated earlier. The Family Series (Box 4) contains miscellaneous items related to family life such as report cards, certificates, Parent Teacher Association, and club activities (Delphine's ), news clippings, and church activities. These items cover the years 1887-1951. Four photo albums are in box 5.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Library has volumes of the Las Vegas Age (published from April 1, 1905 to November 30, 1947) from 1905-1907 and 1909-1947.

This collection was accessioned as T-2, donated by the Southern Nevada Historical Society.

Arrangement of the Records

The collection is divided into 4 series: Series 1: Civic Interests Series, 1903-1956. Series 2: Manuscript Series, 1920-1958. Series 3: Correspondence Series, 1787-1960. Series 4: Family Series, 1887-1951.

Many photographs were removed during its accession and placed in UNLV Photo Collection 0002.

 Subject Headings Individuals: Squires, Charles P. (Charles Pember), 1865-1958 Squires, Delphine AndersonSquires familyOrganizations:Mormon Church -- Nevada -- Las Vegas -- HistoryNevada Industrial Commission Republican Party (Nev.) Colorado River Commission of NevadaCongress of Mothers (Las Vegas, Nev.)--HistoryChrist Church Episcopal (Las Vegas, Nev.)--HistoryLas Vegas-Clark County Library District--HistoryLas Vegas ageNevada State Press Association--History Subjects:Publishers and publishing--Nevada--Las Vegas--BiographyBusinessmen--Nevada--Las Vegas--BiographyPoliticians--Nevada--Las Vegas--BiographyHoover Dam (Ariz. and Nev.) -- Design and constructionMen--Nevada--Las Vegas--Societies and clubsWomen – Nevada – Las Vegas -- Societies and clubsPlaces:Las Vegas (Nev.) --HistoryLas Vegas (Nev.)--Social life and customs Inventory: Series 1: Civic Interests Series, 1903-1956 (1 box)

The Civic Interests Series (Box 1) contains miscellaneous items relating to early life in Las Vegas (1905-1958).

BoxFolderContents11Consolidated Power and Telephone Co., correspondence regarding formation and dissolution of company in Las Vegas, 1905-1907 and 19542Las Vegas Real Estate and Property Deeds, including the Las Vegas Improvement Co., and Las Vegas Trading Co., 1905-19113Lincoln County Division Club, miscellaneous papers, petition to Governor,1907-1911 4 Petition to incorporate the City of Las Vegas, draft, ca. 1910-1911 5Republican State Central Committee bylaws, constitution, minutes, letters,1916-1956 6Miscellaneous Las Vegas and Boulder Dam material, 1914-19477Colorado River Commission and Colorado River Compact,1923-ca. 19318Swing-Johnson Bill (a.k.a. Bolder Canyon Project Act) drafts,19289Boulder Canyon Project, power generation,1929-193510Boulder Canyon Project, speeches and publications, 1920-1930 11Nevada Industrial Commission,193412"Teddy's Terrors", correspondence, unpublished history,1903-195613Nevada Press Association, correspondence, news releases, 195214"Squires' Park" including a typescript history,195515Charleston Park development, correspondence,1927-193116LADD Hotel Register[THIS ONE IS USED AS A SPACER AT THE END OF THE BOX OR SERIES] Series 2: Manuscripts Series, 1920-1958(1 box)

The Manuscript Series (Box 2) contains book and short story manuscripts, articles, press releases and radio scripts.

BoxFolderContents21Miscellaneous manuscripts (drafts, radio scripts, biography, press releases, some by Delphine), 1920-19502Miscellaneous manuscripts (drafts, radio scripts, short story "The Empty Sleeve", "History of the Las Vegas Elks Lodge", "Vegas Ikey", writings by Delphine Squires),1920-19583Miscellaneous manuscripts (incomplete), 1920-19504Radio scripts (including Las Vegas history), 1940-19425Manuscript: "History of the Mormon colony at Las Vegas", typescripts, 180 leaves6Manuscript: "Las Vegas, Nevada: It's Romance and History", typescript, pp. 1-2147Manuscript: "Las Vegas, Nevada: Its Romance and History", typescript, pp. 215-427 and index8Nevada history news articles written by Delphine Squires, n.d.[THIS ONE IS USED AS A SPACER AT THE END OF THE BOX OR SERIES] Series 3: Correspondence Series,1787-1960(1 box)

The Correspondence Series (Box 3) reflects the period 1910-1958 with a few items dated earlier.

BoxFolderContents31Correspondence,1910-19232Correspondence,1924-19253Correspondence,19264Correspondence,19275Correspondence,19286Correspondence,19297Correspondence,1930-19358Correspondence,1936-19399Correspondence,1940-195010Correspondence,1950-196011Correspondence: Herbert Hoover,1922-195812Correspondence: Delphine A. Squires,1893-195113Correspondence: letter (facsimile),178714Correspondence Series 4: Family Series,1887-1951(1 box)

The family Series (Box 4) contains miscellaneous items related to family life such as reports cards, certificates, Parent Teacher Association, and club activities (Delphine's), news clippings, and church activities. These items cover the years 1887-1951.

BoxFolderContents41Letters of recommendation for Charles Squires,1887, 18942School records, Charles Squires,1882-18943Family papers, Delphine Squires, 1891-19564Cards, programs, brochures, etc., 1907-19635School records, Squires children, 1910, 1920-19216Certificates and mementos,1912-19607Women's Club and Parent Teacher Association programs,1916 & 19648Miscellaneous news clippings,1917-19649National Congress of Mother and Child Study Circles Account ledger,192810Christ Church [Episcopal], Las Vegas,1936-1938, 196411Anniversaries,1939, 194912Anniversary Guest Book, 1939, 194913Miscellaneous accounting lists and adverting fees, 194614Social Security documents,1951BoxFolderContents5Four Photo AlbumsOversize Folder,1912-1916 Three Certificates of Appointment of Charles Squires, 1912-1916High School Diploma of Della [Delphine] Anderson [Squires], 1886END OF INVENTORY