Noble Hamilton Getchell Papers
Scope and Contents
A majority of the Noble Hamilton Getchell Papers is comprised of correspondence regarding various mining claims in which Getchell had an interest. Please note that the Getchell Mine is not represented in this collection. Principally, the papers deal with the development of the Betty O'Neal Mines at Betty O'Neal, Nevada, and the Gold Circle Consolidated Mines at Midas, Nevada. Other mining papers deal with the Dan Tucker Mine at Frenchman's Station, Nevada; the Eastern Star Mine of the Security Mining Company at Betty O'Neal, Nevada; the Skykomish Copper Company at Index, Washington; and the Lost Cabin Mine at Alturas, California. In addition to correspondence, there is limited inclusion of financial information including bullion reports. Of interest in the mining papers are accident reports made by the Nevada Industrial Commission.
Getchell was also deeply involved in politics both in Nevada and Arizona. Although his Arizona Senatorial years are represented, it is extremely limited. A majority of the materials are from his years serving as the Republican National Committeeman from Nevada. Included with the Republican National Committeeman correspondence are letters dealing specifically with the election of President Herbert Hoover.
Dates
- 1918-1936
Creator
- Getchell, Noble Hamilton, 1875-1960 (Creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Materials must be used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Biographical Note
Noble Hamilton Getchell (February 9, 1875-February 10, 1960) was a mining developer with interests in many Western states. Born in Oakland, California to Elizabeth and Lysander W. Getchell, Getchell spent his youth in Maine, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Nevada. He worked alongside his father in mining operations for a time as well as in many other small jobs including painting of buildings and theater work until he took over a mining claim in Grantsville, Nevada in 1903. From that point on, he worked in mining. In 1936, Getchell, along with George Wingfield, purchased a mine in the Potosi mining district. This mine, named Getchell Mine after him, held the title as one of the largest gold producing mines in Nevada until it was surpassed in 1954 by the Ruth Mine.
Getchell was also extremely active in politics and held a number of positions at the state and national levels, including an Arizona State Senator, 1917-1918; Nevada State Senator, 1923-1942; Republican State Chairman in Nevada for three terms; and Republican National Committeeman for Nevada for three terms. In addition to these positions, Getchell served as the Chairman of the Nevada State Board of Fish and Game Commissioners and was the Director of the Bank of Battle Mountain, Nevada.
In 1961, the University of Nevada, Reno named its newly constructed library after Getchell. The Getchell Library served the University until 2008 when a new library building was constructed. It was demolished in 2013.
Noble Getchell was a mining developer with interests in many Western states. The University of Nevada, Reno main library was named for him (1961-2008) until a new library was built. Getchell serves as an Arizona State Senator, 1917-1918, and Nevada State Senator, 1923-1942. He was Republican State Chairman in Nevada for three terms and Republican National Committeeman for Nevada for three terms. He served as Chairman of the Nevada State Board of Fish and Game Commissioners and was Director of the Bank of Battle Mountain in Battle Mountain, Nevada.
Extent
2.4 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Nobel Hamilton Getchell (1875-1960) was a mining developer with interests in many western states. The collection includes correspondence for various mining claims in which Getchell had an interest; mines and mining prospects, principally with the development of the Betty O'Neal Mines at Betty O'Neal, Nevada, and the Gold Circle Consolidated Mines at Midas, Nevada; the Dan Tucker Mine at Frenchman's Station, Nevada; the Security Mining Company at Betty O'Neal; the Skykomish Copper Company at Index, Washington; and the Lost Cabin Mine at Alturas, California.
Arrangement
Arranged into the following series: 1) General Correspondence; 2) Mining Correspondence; 3) Political Correspondence; 4) Private Accounts
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by the Estate of Noble Hamilton Getchell in 1968.
Separated Materials
Photographs transferred to the Special Collections photo archives as collection number UNRS-P2015-15.
- Arizona -- Politics and government
- Balzar, Fredrick Bennett, 1880-1934
- Bank of Battle Mountain
- Betty O'Neal Mines
- Business correspondence
- Copper mines and mining -- Nevada
- Dan Tucker Mine (Nev.)
- Getchell, Noble Hamilton, 1875-1960
- Gold Circle Consolidated Mines
- Gold mines and mining -- Nevada
- Lost Cabin Mine (Calif.)
- Mines and mineral resources -- Nevada
- Nevada -- Politics and government
- Oddie, Tasker L. (Tasker Lowndes), 1870-1950
- Photographs
- Security Mining Company
- Skykomish Copper Company
Creator
- Getchell, Noble Hamilton, 1875-1960 (Creator, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Noble Hamilton Getchell Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Staff
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. Special Collections Department Repository
Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia St.
Reno Nevada 89557-0322 USA
775-682-5665
775-682-5724 (Fax)
specoll@unr.edu