A. S. Henderson Papers. T-113. Special Collections, UNLV Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Gift of Ena Henderson, 1983.
JoAnn Spair, 2002.
This collection is open for research.
For permission to reproduce or publish from this collection, please contact the Director of Special Collections.
Albert Scott Henderson, also commonly known as A.S. or Bert, was born in Eureka, Nevada on November 2, 1879. He was the son of a Canadian who had moved to Nevada to take advantage of the rapidly growing mining industry. At that time, Eureka was a booming silver camp. Henderson’s career as a public servant began at age fifteen when he was elected to his first public office as secretary to the Lander County Republican Convention. Henderson graduated from high school in 1897, and he immediately became a teacher, then a principal, and later president of the school board. In 1910, Henderson relocated to the Las Vegas area. Throughout his life he served his communities, first Eureka, and then primarily, Las Vegas and Clark County in many different capacities. He was known as a pioneer resident of Las Vegas.
A.S. Henderson received his formal education from the University of Nevada in Reno. Henderson began his political career after he was admitted into the Nevada Bar Association in 1908. During the following years, he was a member of the legislature from 1921 to 1923 and was speaker of the house from 1923 to 1925. Later he served as a Nevada state senator from 1927 to 1929 and 1931 to 1933. During this time, Henderson was instrumental in writing much of the legislation concerning Boulder Dam. The next positions Henderson held were Clark County district attorney and Las Vegas city attorney. Many of the city and county ordinances still in effect for those areas today were written by Henderson. In this capacity, he served as an advisor to the Colorado River Commission and was involved in many intense battles over water, power, and revenue rights. By 1946, Henderson’s labors on behalf of both city and state were recognized. He was appointed a district judge by Governor Vail Pittman. Henderson would be re-elected repeatedly to this position, until he resigned and retired on October 31, 1960.
In addition to public office, Henderson was active in the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, serving as president for one term. As a leader in the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, he was responsible for shaping city street programs, highway programs, and other important city projects. Henderson was also active in the fraternal organizations and affairs of both Las Vegas and Clark County. He served in the Elks, Eagles, Las Vegas Kiwanis and Odd Fellows as a ranking officer.
Henderson was married to Roseilla Wadsworth from 1905 until her death in 1940. They had two daughters, Wanda Pegram and Alice Doll. In 1941, A. S. Henderson married Ena Russell. A.S. Henderson died on November 13, 1961 at age 82, and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Las Vegas.
The papers of A. S. Henderson, Las Vegas resident who served on the Eighth Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada from 1946 to 1960. The collection focuses primarily on his career as a district court judge in Las Vegas. Little is mentioned about his service as an educator, district attorney, or legislator. Documents in the collection include Henderson’s correspondence, campaign statements, certificates and proclamations, his memorial book, newspaper clippings, and ephemera. The most extensive portion of the collection is comprised of newspaper articles about A.S. Henderson. The articles date from1948 to 1961 and chronicle his career as a public servant. The articles on Boulder Dam are from all over the United States during a two-month period in 1946. Additionally, there is one folder of undated articles. There are also two folders with clippings about Las Vegas.
Other materials include a book gift on the early history of Eureka, Eureka and Its Resources, which was inscribed as a gift to Henderson. His memorial service book, various diplomas, certificates, and proclamations are included in the collection. These materials include ephemera, such as election cards, nametags, and membership cards.
A.S. Henderson’s correspondence, which is minimal, is primarily from his work as an officer of the court and includes his letters of resignation as District Court Judge.
All materials were arranged either alphabetically or chronologically. Information from original file folders were transferred as was necessary to re-organize the collection in a consistent manner. All dates of documents were indicated when known.
The collection contained a sizeable number of photographs ranging from 19th Century Henderson family portraits to photos of Henderson with Nevada State Legislature to photos of him as a District Court Judge. These were separated into UNLV Special Collections Photograph Collection 0317.
For related topics and further information see the following collections:
Ralph Denton Collection, MS 2001-26
(Judge) Tom O'Donnell Collection, MS 85-61