Ralph and Sara Denton Papers

Name/Title

Ralph and Sara Denton Papers

Entry/Object ID

MS.151

Scope and Content

Ralph and Sara Denton Papers MS 151 Born in Caliente, Nevada in 1925, Ralph Denton became one of the state’s most influential people. Denton attended law school on a patronage job from Nevada’s famed Senator Pat McCarran and graduated in 1951. He served as Eureka County’s deputy district attorney under Grant Sawyer, whom he’d met at law school in 1946. That friendship eventually led to Denton’s serving as Sawyer’s southern Nevada campaign manager in 1958 when Sawyer unseated popular incumbent Charles Russell. Denton was one of the first lawyers in Nevada to argue ACLU cases and he actively fought for civil rights legislation earning his reputation as one of the state’s greatest liberals. In fact, an oral history with Denton produced by the University of Nevada is titled, A Liberal Conscience. Denton and his wife, Sara whom he married in 1949, moved to Las Vegas in 1955, and to Boulder City in 1958. In addition to serving as Sawyer’s southern Nevada campaign coordinator three times, he was state coordinator for the presidential campaigns of John F. Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, and Jerry Brown. Denton ran for congress against Walter Baring in 1964 and 1966, narrowly losing both races. Persuaded to run for governor in 1974, he withdrew when Mike O’Callaghan announced for a second term. Sara Denton was one of the founders of Boulder City’s annual Hospital Auxiliary Art-in-the-Park, and a guiding force in the Boulder City Museum and Historical Association. Denton established his private law practice in Las Vegas in 1955; the files in this manuscript collection represent a selection of cases related to Boulder City, Lake Mead, the Colorado River, and surrounding areas. * * *

Collection

Manuscripts

Acquisition

Notes

999.027

Archive Items Details

Notes

MS 151 Ralph and Sara Denton Papers inventory [6 boxes] Box 1 of 6 ff no. 1. correspondence: Raskin, Hyman B., 1962 2. correspondence: Wilson, Thomas Cave, 1964, re: Nevada Centennial Commission 3. professional: Esmeralda County, NV District Attorney, [1958-59] 4. professional: Clark County Bar Association committees [1962] 5. professional: Nevada Magazine [1969-75] 6. professional: taxes: "Employer’s Tax Guide" [Circular E (1952, 1954, 1955)] 7. professional: taxes [1954]: office 8. professional: taxes [1955]: office 9. professional: taxes [1956]: office 10. professional: taxes [1957]: office 11. signatures: Adams, Eva B. [1954] 12. signatures: Bible, Alan [1955-59] 13. signatures: Cannon, Howard [1954-56] 14. signatures: Jones, Cliff, et. al. [1954] 15. signatures: Koontz, John [1955] 16. signatures: Laxalt, Paul D. [1954] 17. signatures: McCarran, Pat [1954 (died September 28, 1954)] 18. signatures: Van, Garwood [1958] 19. signatures: Wiener, Louis, Jr. [1954] Box 2 of 6 ff no. 1. Atkison, Leonard: Henderson Shopping Center, Inc [1962-65] 2. Batchelor, John A.: Boulder Mortgage and Investment Co.: incorporation: articles of incorporation [1961] 3. Batchelor, John A.: Boulder Mortgage and Investment Co.: incorporation: by-laws [c. 1961] 4. Batchelor, John A.: Boulder Mortgage and Investment Co.: incorporation: correspondence, notes, receipts [1961-62] 5. Batchelor, John A.: Boulder Mortgage and Investment Co.: incorporation: list of officers [1961] 6. Batchelor, John A.: Boulder Mortgage and Investment Co.: incorporation: meeting minutes [1961] 7. Batchelor, John A.: Porter and Batchelor Construction and Development Co.: articles of partnership [1962] 8. Black Canyon Country Club: A. J. Lewis Contracting Co.: correspondence [1960] 9. Black Canyon Country Club: A. J. Lewis Contracting Co.: draft agreements [1960] 10. Black Canyon Country Club: option agreement with City of Boulder City for sale of Black Canyon Country Club land [1961] 11. Black Canyon Country Club: Thomas Companies, Inc.: agreements [April - October 1963] 12. Black Canyon Country Club: Thomas Companies, Inc.: correspondence: Johnson, Mrs. B. N., re: dismal business climate in Boulder City [December 4, 1963] 13. Black Canyon Country Club: Thomas Companies, Inc.: lease agreement [March 20, 1963] 14. Black Canyon Country Club: Thomas Companies, Inc.: ordinance to sell land to Thomas [April 1963] 15. Black Canyon Country Club: Thomas Companies, Inc.: notes [1963] 16. Black Canyon Country Club: Thomas Companies, Inc.: correspondence [1963] 17. Black Canyon Country Club: Thomas Companies, Inc.: returned checks for escrows on lots in Boulder City District #A [February - March 1964] 18. Boulder City Incorporation: "Boulder City Bill": HR Report no. 1847 to accompany HR 9147 [June 3, 1958 (3cc)] 19. Boulder City Incorporation: "Boulder City Bill": S. Report no. 1745 to accompany S. 2675 [June 23, 1958 (3 cc)] 20. Boulder City Incorporation: "Boulder City Bill": Boulder City Act [HR 9147, Public Law 85-900 [September 2, 1958] 21. Boulder City Incorporation: City Charter [draft]: changes adopted as of July 17, 1959 [15pp] 22. Boulder City Incorporation: City Charter [August 6, 1959] 23. Boulder City Publishing Company: subscription agreement, 1961 24. Boulder Dam Hotel: Sale [Aztec, Inc to Beaugureau, Robert F. (1963)] 25. Boulder Dam Hotel: lease with option to buy [Beaugureau, Robert F. to Nevada Health Foundation, Inc. (1973)] 26. Boulder Dam Hotel: sale [Beaugureau, Robert F. to Lincoln Divide Mining Co. (1973)] 27. Boulder Dam Hotel: Agreement of Release and Conveyance [Beaugureau, Lois to Beaugureau, Robert F. (1976)] 28. Boulder Dam Hotel: sale [Beaugureau, Robert F. to Entenmann, Charles D. (1976) 29. Boulder Dam Hotel: sale [Beaugureau, Robert F. to Entenmann, Charles D. (1977) 30. Boulder Dam Hotel: sale: correspondence, 1973-1979 31. businesses [Boulder City]: Beauty Bar [528 Nevada Way]: sale [1959] 32. businesses [Boulder City]: Boulder City Broadcasting Co.: property re-conveyance [1958] 33. businesses [Boulder City]: Boulder Theatre: tax problems [1962] 34. Citizens Natural Gas Company: Batchelor agreements with Southwest Gas Corporation, 1959-60 35. Citizens Natural Gas Company: correspondence, 1957-61 36. Citizens Natural Gas Company: financial records, 1944-58 37. Citizens Natural Gas Company: financial records: promissory notes and John Batchelor agreements, 1956-59 38. Citizens Natural Gas Company: invoices for professional services, 1958-59 39. Citizens Natural Gas Company: prospectus, c. 1954-55 40. Citizens Natural Gas Company: rate sheet, c. 1956-57 41. Citizens Natural Gas Company: stockholders [September 11, 1956] 42. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: correspondence 43. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: Record on Appeal: Cottonwood-Bates [January 24, 1967] 44. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: Record on Appeal: Bates-Cottonwood [September 24, 1967] 45. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: appellant’s opening brief [November 30, 1967] 46. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: financing statement, assignments, security agreement [February 12, 1970] 47. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: complaint [June 14, 1971 (48pp)] 48. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: summons [June 18, 1970] 49. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: motion for leave to file [September 10, 1971] 50. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: order for leave [September 16, 1971] 51. Colorado River: Bates, W. E. vs Cottonwood Cove [1967-1971]: ordering quieting title [September 16, 1971] Box 3 of 6 ff no. 1. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: land purchase [State of Nevada, October 26, 1966] 2. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Marina Vegas: purchase agreement and amendments [1969-71] 3. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Marina Vegas: market analysis [May 1970] 3 4. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Marina Vegas: market analysis [May 1970] 4 5. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Marina Vegas: market analysis [May 1970] 5 6. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Marina Vegas: economic impact report [November 25, 1970] 6 7. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Marina Vegas: construction matters [1970-71] 7 8. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Marina Vegas: water quality standards [1971] 8 9. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: correspondence [1970] 9 10. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: correspondence [January - June 1971] 10 11. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: correspondence [July - December1971] 11 12. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: correspondence [1972] 12 13. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: correspondence [undated] 13 14. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Marina Vegas: news clippings [1971] 14 15. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Marina Vegas: notes [c. 1970-71] 15 16. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates: Lake Riverside Estates [1970-71] 16 17. Colorado River: development: Beaumont, R. J. and Associates as U.S. Leisure Time Corporation of California [1971] 17 18. Colorado River: farming: Cleveland, Eldon L. land exchange [1953-55] 18 19. Colorado River Commission: correspondence [1959-60] 19 20. Colorado River Commission: boundary matters [1959-60]: legislation [draft (4pp)] 20 21.Colorado River Commission: boundary matters [1960]: "Joint Report ..." [5pp and 7pp] 21 22. Colorado River Commission: boundary matters [1960]: proposed Arizona legislation [3pp] 22 23. Colorado River Commission: boundary matters [1960]: proposed Nevada legislation [3pp] 23 24. Colorado River Commission: boundary matters [1960]: maps [3pp] 24 25. Colorado River Commission: boundary matters [1960]: interstate compact [5pp] 25 26. Colorado River Commission: boundary matters [1960]: notes and receipts 26 27. Colorado River Commission: Ft. Mohave Valley development [Chanford Enterprises (1961-62)] 27 28. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: litigation: Smith, G. A. "Curley" [1982] 28 29. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: "Environmental Design Plan, 1978-1985" [1972-1978] 29 30. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: "History of the Petaluma Plan" [1972] 30 31. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: litigation: Ninth U. S. Court of Appeals [1974-75] 31 32. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: U. S. Supreme Court [1975] 32 33. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: ordinance [1978] 33 34. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: ordinance: amendment [1979] 34 35. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: "Petaluma, California: A Unique Approach to Growth Control" [c. 1978-79] 35 36. Controlled Growth Ordinance Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: public meeting [January 30, 1978] 36 37. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: "Rationale, Operation and Evaluation" [1977] 37 38. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Petaluma, CA model: "Resolution Establishing ... Numerical Units ..." [1976] 38 39. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Ramapo, NY model [1969-78] 39 40. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: Nevada League of Cities Annual Conference [September 23-25, 1977] 40 41. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: ordinance: development moratorium [January 11, 1979] 41 42. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: petition: "Initiative Petition for the Enactment of an Ordinance Relating to the Costs of Municipal Utility Facilities and Utility Rates for New Developments" [February 1979] 42 43. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: petition: "Initiative Petition for the Enactment of an Ordinance Relating to a Dwelling Development Central System" [draft, March 1, 1979] 43 44. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: petition: "Initiative Petition for the Enactment of an Ordinance Relating to Dwelling and Hotel - Motel Development Control Plan" [draft, March 6, 1979] 44 45. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: petition: "Initiative Petition for the Enactment of an Ordinance Relating to Dwelling and Hotel - Motel Development Control Plan" [draft, c. March 1979] 45 46. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: petition: "Initiative Petition for the Enactment of an Ordinance Relating to Dwelling and Hotel - Motel Development Control Plan" [c. March 1979] 46 47. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: petition: correspondence [April 20, 1979] 47 48. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: ordinance [Chapter. 37 of Boulder City Municipal Code (with 1978 Petaluma model [1979])]; resolution 638, re: exemptions [August 14, 1979] 48 49. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: notes [1978-81] 49 50. Controlled Growth Ordinance [Boulder City]: notes: power allotment [1978] 50 Box 4 of 6 ff no. 1. Corbin, Frances E.: power of attorney and will [1967] 1 2. Dieleman, Jake: Surplus Property Act [1960] 2 3. Eldorado Associates, Inc. vs Magdalene Fechser [1962-69] 3 4. Eldorado Associates, Inc. vs Magdalene Fechser [1962-69]: correspondence 4 5. Eldorado Associates, Inc., dba Railroad Pass Casino vs Nevada State Gaming Control Board [1962-63] 5 6. Eldorado Associates, Inc., dba Railroad Pass Casino vs Nevada State Gaming Control Board [1962-63]: correspondence and notes 6 7. Eldorado Associates, Inc.: Hidden Well Ranch 7 8. Electrochemical Corporation vs Wong Wing, et. al. [1957-63]: agreement of intent, re. Searchlight, NV mines 8 9. Electrochemical Corporation vs Wong Wing, et. al. [1957-63]: summons and complaint 9 10. Electrochemical Corporation vs Wong Wing, et. al. [1957-63]: correspondence 10 11. Electrochemical Corporation vs Wong Wing, et. al. [1957-63]: notes 11 12. Electrochemical Corporation vs Wong Wing, et. al. [1957-63]: agreement to settle legal action 12 13. Electrochemical Corporation vs Wong Wing, et. al. [1957-63]: legal fees 13 14. Electrochemical Corporation vs Wong Wing, et. al. [1957-63]: lien 14 15. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: employment agreement with Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital [1958] 15 16. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: employment agreement with Boulder City Hospital, Inc. [August 1, 1961] 16 17. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: board of trustees meeting minutes [January 18 and February 15, 1962] 17 18. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: termination of employment agreement [April 2, 1962] 18 19. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: affidavit of attachment [April 23, 1962] 19 20. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: complaint [May 4, 1962] 20 21. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: stipulation and orders [June 18 and 22, 1962] 21 22. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: motion for summary judgment [June 27, 1962] 22 23. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: motion for summary judgment [July 13, 1962] 23 24. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: order releasing attachment [August 2, 1962] 24 25. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: motion for summary judgment [August 10, 1962] 25 26. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: motion for summary judgment [August 31, 1962] 26 27. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: notices of taking oral depositions [October 29 and November 8, 1962] 27 28. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: Deposition of George Fleigh [March 26, 1963] 28 29. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: order [March 26, 1963] 29 30. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: motion for summary judgment [April 19, 1963] 30 31. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: motion for summary judgment [May 3, 1963] 31 32. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: motion for summary judgment and points and authorities [June 7, 1963] 32 33. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: decision [July 10, 1963] 33 34. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: order granting summary judgment and notice of entry of order [July 14 and August 21, 1963] 34 35. Fleigh, George vs Boulder City Hospital, Inc.: notice of satisfaction of judgment [August 25, 1964] 35 36. Frontier Fidelity Savings and Loan Association: stock matters [1960-63] 36 37. Gallagher, Floyd James: estate [1959-63] 37 38. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: financial records: correspondence [1969 and undated] 38 39. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: financial records: correspondence: Isom loan [1968-69] 39 40. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: financial records: correspondence: Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. [1966-74] 40 41. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: financial records: jewelry appraisal [1968-70] 41 42. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: financial records: receipts [1967-74] 42 43. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: Ham’s Grocery Store: sale [1958] 43 44. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: property records: 5 Hillside Drive 44 45. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: property records: 632 Ave I, Boulder City, NV [1961-74] 45 46. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: property records: Sherwood Shores, Burnet Co, TX [1965-74] 46 47. Ham, Elmer and Bessie: wills [1963-68] 47 48. Lake Mead: development: Mead, Inc.: Lucky Strike Motel Casino: corporate papers: articles of incorporation [December 28, 1962] 48 49. Lake Mead: development: Mead, Inc.: Lucky Strike Motel Casino: lease [proposed (1962)] 49 50. Lake Mead Marina: Whitehouse I.H. and Janice: contract with National Park Service [January 27, 1955] 50 51. Lake Mead Marina: National Park Service contract assignment [October 1958] 51 52. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: corporate papers: articles of incorporation [December 31, 1959] 52 53. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: agreement with Whitehouse, I. H. and Janice [1959] 53 54. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: correspondence [1959-60] 54 55. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: financing proposal [c. Jan 1960] 55 56. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: corporate papers: articles of incorporation [January 5, 1960] 56 57. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: corporate papers: bylaws [January 8, 1960] 57 58. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: meeting minutes [first (January 8, 1960)] 58 59. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: meeting minutes [February 10, 1960] 59 60. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: meeting minutes [special (February 12, 1960)] 60 61. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: agreement with Whitehouse, I. H., et. al. [February 29, 1960 (draft)] 61 62. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: agreement with Whitehouse, I. H., et. al. [February 29, 1960] 62 63. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: corporate papers: voting trust agreement [February 29, 1960] 63 64. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: agreement with Whitehouse, I. H., et. al. [May 31, 1960] 64 65. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: corporate papers: certificate of reinstatement [June 28, 1961] 65 66. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: forms [sample c. 1960)] 66 67. Lake Mead Marina: Lake Mead Marina, Inc.: notes [1959-60] 67 68. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: agendas and meeting minutes [1957-59] 68 69. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: City of Las Vegas absentee report [?; c. 1957-58] 69 70. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: City of Las Vegas monthly report [October 1957] 70 71. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: Civil service rules [draft, November 1958] 71 72. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: "Civil Service Rules and Regulations" [preliminary draft, c. 1958] 72 73. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: classification plan review [January 1958] 73 74. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: correspondence and notes [1957] 74 75. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: report: "Administration of Leaves of Absence" [International City Managers Association, May 1950] 75 76. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: report: "Granting Sick Leave with Pay" [International City Managers Association, June 1947] 76 77. [Las Vegas] Civil Service Commission: report: "Personnel Rules and Regulations" [International City Managers Association, August 1947] 77 78. Peccole, William: property purchase [1961] 78 79. property lease: Lakeview Addition, Block 6, Lot 2: Tudahl, Martha [December 29, 1960] 79 80. Richardson, Jack, re: Goldstrike Inn water and power requests [1953-54] 80 81. Martello, William: Searchlight, NV resort development [1961-62] 81 82. Southern California Edison Company vs Nevada Historical Restoration Society, et. al.: transmission line right-of-way through Goldstrike Inn property: agreement [Sullivan, Patrick J. (1941)] 82 83. Southern California Edison Company vs Nevada Historical Restoration Society, et. al.: transmission line right-of-way through Goldstrike Inn property: correspondence [19... [truncated due to length]

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Beaugureau, Lois

Person or Organization

Beaugureau, Robert "Bob," Sr.

Person or Organization

Entenmann, Charles D.

Person or Organization

Bates, W. E.

Person or Organization

Beaumont, R. J.

Person or Organization

Smith, G. A. "Curly"

Person or Organization

Corbin, Fran

Person or Organization

Dieleman, Jake

Person or Organization

Fechser, Magdalene

Person or Organization

Wing, Wong

Person or Organization

Fleigh, George

Person or Organization

Gallagher, Floyd

Person or Organization

Ham, Elmer

Person or Organization

Ham, Bessie

Person or Organization

Ham, Richard "Dick"

Person or Organization

Whitehouse, Irving Halford "Hal"

Person or Organization

Whitehouse, Janice

Person or Organization

Richardson, Jack

Person or Organization

Peccole, William "Bill"

Person or Organization

Martello, William

Person or Organization

Spilsbury, Vona

Person or Organization

Zenoff, M. M. "Morry"

Person or Organization

Espey, Harold Richard

Person or Organization

Peterson, Ruby S.

Person or Organization

Sullivan, Patrick

Person or Organization

Tudahl, Martha

Person or Organization

Raney, Orin Lee

Person or Organization

Belding, Don

Person or Organization

Yee, Koon O.

Created By

admin@catalogit.app

Create Date

July 9, 2006

Updated By

bcmha.archives@gmail.com

Update Date

September 8, 2025