For insight into one of Las Vegas' unique legends, browse the Howard Hughes archives at UNLV Libraries special collections department. The Libraries recently received a gift of documents from one of the United States' most influential engineering firms, the Hughes Electronics Corp. This collection spans more than 50 years and includes corporate publications, biographical files, and photographs, including pictures of the Spruce Goose developed by Hughes Aircraft and flown by Hughes himself.

The donation complements an extensive collection of Hughes' professional effects given to UNLV in 1996 by the Howard Hughes Corp. The entire collection is a significant historical record of the legacy of an American icon, according to Peter Michel, director of special collections. Hughes, often noted for his contributions to the field of aeronautical engineering, lived in Las Vegas during the last years of his life and owned a television station, ranch, and several hotel-casinos, as well as the land now developed by the Howard Hughes Corp. as Summerlin.

Special collections also includes files from Union Pacific Railroad, Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO), Harrah's Entertainment, Basic Magnesium Inc., the architecture firms of Martin Stern and Homer Rissman, and regional mining companies.

All special collections archives are open to the public.