The Beckley Family: A Lens into Early Las Vegas Life and Growth

Swiss Roots and Midwest Beginnings of the Beckley Family

William Ulrich Beckley was born on September 29, 1877, in Guntalingen, Switzerland, near the Swiss-German border. In 1884, the Beckley family emigrated to the United States aboard the S.S. Labrador, settling in Fairbury, Illinois, a town with a significant Swiss-German population. Will was the sixth of seven children born to Heinrich (Henri) Beckley and Magdalena Rhuttiman Beckley.

In Fairbury, Will completed school through the sixth grade. In March 1891, when Will was 13 years old, his father passed away; to support his family, Will began working as a farmhand and later became a clerk in a men’s clothing store operated by his older brother, John. By 1900, Will still lived in Indian Grove (Fairbury), Illinois, with his mother and siblings, Elizabeth, Emma, and John; Will’s older brother, Jake, had moved out of the family home by this time.

As a clerk for his brother’s store, Will traveled frequently. In 1905, work took him about 70 miles from home to Wolcott, Indiana. There, he met Leva Grimes, and although the two were quite taken with each other, with Will as a store clerk and Leva as a schoolteacher, their finances did not inspire confidence in a secure future; marriage prospects would have to wait.

Also a resident of Fairbury, Illinois, Ed Von Tobel was a boyhood friend to Jake Beckley, Will’s brother. One day in 1903, over beers in a St. Louis cafe, Jake and Ed read a newspaper reporting the weather in Los Angeles was 72 degrees and sunny—a stark contrast to the 0 degrees outside the cafe. Alongside the weather report, the newspaper featured an ad for a “settler’s rate” for the Santa Fe Railroad—one-way tickets to California for $30. Ready for the adventure, Jake and Ed set forth to California, where Jake found work as a barber and Ed at a lumberyard.

A newspaper ad would once again influence the course of history for the Beckley and Von Tobel families. In 1904, construction began on a new railroad connecting Los Angeles with Salt Lake City, and lots were to be auctioned in the vicinity of the new way station in Las Vegas. Round-trip tickets were $22, and at the time, Jake and Ed only had $100 between them. Despite limited funds, they decided to take a chance on this new opportunity.

The dusty townsite of Las Vegas had been identified as the next station to fortify the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad, offering a location to service engines. Prior to this, Las Vegas was little more than a stop on the trail, valued mainly for its natural springs that provided water to travelers between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. Senator William Andrews Clark, in coordination with the Las Vegas Land and Water Authority, planned to build the depot and repair shops and auction about 600 lots—approximately 2,000 acres of land.

On May 15, 1905, the auction marked the birth of the town of Las Vegas, forever changing the course of Nevada and Beckley family history.

Upon their arrival to Las Vegas, Jake Beckley and Ed Von Tobel must have immediately recognized how new the town was: construction on the railroad had only just been completed, and prior to the rail deal, Las Vegas consisted mainly of Helen Stewart’s ranch and post stop. Amidst the scarcity and newness, opportunity beckoned: with lots and supplies purchased, Jake and Ed started Von Tobel Lumber to support the town’s rapid construction industry, located on Main Street south of the train depot.

After a few years in the hot desert frontier, Jake called on his brother, Will, to join in the pursuit of opportunities offered by the new Las Vegas. Ed, who was also friends with Will, encouraged him to move—indeed, it was Ed and Jake’s collective persuasion that finally convinced Will to come to Las Vegas. On March 9, 1908, with prospects tepid in Indiana, Will Beckley arrived in Las Vegas.

A New Chapter in Las Vegas History

Will arrived in Las Vegas on March 9, 1908. Initially working as a painter for a schoolhouse in Moapa, he soon invested his savings in a men’s clothing store. Beckley’s Men’s Furnishings opened in the Hotel Nevada (now the Golden Gate) on Main and Fremont Streets. Will lived behind the store as he built his business, providing high-quality goods such as Hart, Schaffner & Marx suits, Stetson hats, and Florsheim shoes.

In 1910, Will returned to Illinois to marry Leva Grimes, a schoolteacher from Rockville, Illinois, known for her strong values and dedication to education. Born on June 19, 1886, Leva was the second of four children in the Grimes family. Will and Leva married on September 6, 1910, and soon relocated to Las Vegas, where Leva faced the stark desert landscape with characteristic resilience.

Building a Home, a Family, and a Business

In 1912, Will and Leva completed their home at 120 South Fourth Street in downtown Las Vegas. The announcement of their home’s completion coincided with news of the sinking of Titanic—underscoring the era’s historical significance. The original 650-square-foot bungalow featured four rooms and cost $2,500 to build. In the 1920s, the home was expanded to 1,200 square feet to accommodate their growing family.

The Beckleys had two children: Bruce, born in 1915, and Virginia, born in 1917. Their home, now preserved at the Clark County Museum’s Heritage Street, offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of a pioneering family during the 1920s.

In June 1913, tragedy struck when a pressing iron left on overnight caused a fire that destroyed Beckley’s Men’s Furnishings. Undeterred, Beckley reopened in a standalone shop.

In 1915, Beckley’s Men’s Furnishings moved into the ground floor at 25 Fremont Street, and Beckley would later purchase the building from M.C. Thomas for $12,500. This building not only housed his store but also became a significant landmark in downtown Las Vegas. By 1929, the building underwent major renovations, including the addition of a third floor and a canopy.

By 1941, the building housed several prominent law offices, including that of Nevada Assemblyman Clifford Jones, who applied for a gaming license for the Pioneer Club. In January 1942, the Beckley store closed, and Will leased the building to Tudor Scherer and his partners, Farmer Page, Chuck Addison, and Bill Curland. (The Beckleys would retain the land for some time.) Scherer and his partners opened the Pioneer Club in 1942, marking a shift in downtown Las Vegas’s commercial landscape.

Daily Life and Family Dynamics in Early Las Vegas

Life in early Las Vegas posed numerous challenges. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Beckley home lacked central heating, relying on a coal stove in the kitchen and kerosene heaters. Ice was delivered several times a week, and laundry was done in the backyard using a wood-fired kettle. To combat the sweltering summer heat, Will Beckley devised one of the town’s first makeshift air conditioning systems: he built a wooden frame around a window, covered it with gunny sacks, and placed an electric fan outside the window while letting a hose drip water onto the sacks. The fan pulled the cool, moist air into the house, making the blistering summers more bearable. In addition, the family often slept on a large screened-in porch where canvas coverings could be raised to allow the desert breeze to flow through, providing some relief from the oppressive heat.

Annie (“Oat”), a local Paiute woman, was paid as the family’s laundress and domestic worker.

Virginia Beckley recalled childhood games like jacks, hopscotch, and run-sheep-run, and described a close-knit community where families frequently gathered for picnics and Sunday school. Both Bruce and Virginia were active in Scouts, and the family maintained strong ties to the Methodist Church.

Leva often helped in the family store, carrying Will’s lunch to him daily and working alongside him until closing. Despite the demands of their business, the Beckleys prioritized family and community, reflecting a balanced approach to work and social life.

Curiously, the retail store’s phone number was 27, while the family’s home phone number was 21—a reflection of how small and close-knit the community was at the time.

Will Beckley as a Real Estate Pioneer

Beyond his success in retail, Will Beckley made substantial contributions to Las Vegas’s real estate development. His ventures into property investment were significant enough that his death certificate lists his occupation as a real estate dealer and investor. Will played a pivotal role in founding the Bank of Southern Nevada, a private bank that supported local entrepreneurs and facilitated the city’s growth. His real estate dealings included renting properties and selling the Beckley building and other assets.

Will’s foresight in real estate not only solidified his family’s financial security but also contributed to the urban landscape of early Las Vegas. His investments helped shape the downtown area, and his involvement in civic organizations like the Rotary Club reflected his commitment to the city’s development.

Community Involvement and Early Vegas Social Life

Will and Leva were deeply embedded in the social and civic life of early Las Vegas. Leva was a charter member and the first secretary of the Mesquite Club, the oldest women’s service organization in Las Vegas. The club’s first project addressed the need for shade trees in the desert town; members raised money for trees, ensured they were planted on every lot, and cared for them until they were fully grown. Another early community improvement project was the establishment of a public library. Leva’s involvement in the Mesquite Club exemplified her dedication to civic improvement and community service. She was also active in the PTA and various bridge clubs.

The Beckley home was a hub for social activities, including Saturday night poker games with prominent community members such as the owners of the White Cross Drug Company, the head of the Las Vegas Water Company, the owner of the Apache Hotel, the owner of the Ford Car Agency, Al Cahan (the editor of the Review-Journal), and Charles “Pop” Squires of Las Vegas Age.

Jake Beckley and the First Flight in Las Vegas

Jake Beckley, Will’s brother, played a significant role in both the Beckley family’s journey west and the broader Las Vegas community. Jake married Alta Grimes, Leva’s sister, in 1913, further intertwining the Beckley-Grimes families. The couple settled in Paradise Valley, where they operated a successful ranch known for producing beautiful peaches, tomatoes, and other fruits.

Jake was also a local aviation pioneer. On May 7, 1920, Jake was a passenger on the first plane (a Curtiss “Jenny” biplane) to fly into Las Vegas, piloted by Randall Henderson. Jake and Randall flew low over the Beckley home, and Jake dropped a doll into the front yard for his niece Virginia, who would cherish the memory and donate the doll’s clothes to the Clark County Museum.

Adapting to Change and Facing the Future

The Beckley family witnessed significant changes in Las Vegas, from the arrival of the railroad to the construction of the Hoover Dam and the legalization of gambling in 1931. Later in life, Leva expressed mixed feelings about the city’s growth, lamenting the loss of the close-knit community she cherished. Despite these challenges, the Beckleys adapted, contributing to the city’s development while maintaining their values.

Leva’s oral history, recorded in the 1970s, offers a candid perspective on these changes. She described early Las Vegas as a place where doors were left unlocked and neighbors looked out for one another; however, by the 1970s, she noted the need for security systems and expressed concerns about the increase of crime in the ever-growing community.

Legacy and Contributions

Will Beckley’s contributions to Las Vegas extended beyond his business ventures. He was instrumental in developing the city’s financial infrastructure and real estate landscape. Even after a fire destroyed his store, he rebuilt and continued to thrive. His legacy is commemorated through Will Beckley Elementary School, dedicated in 1966.

Leva’s community involvement left an indelible mark on Las Vegas’s civic landscape. Her dedication to the Mesquite Club, PTA, and other organizations exemplified her commitment to improving the community.

Will Beckley passed away in 1966, leaving behind a legacy of entrepreneurship and civic leadership. Leva continued to be an active member of the Las Vegas community until her passing in 1979. Their lives and contributions continue to resonate in the fabric of Las Vegas history.

Bruce Beckley became a prominent attorney, founding the firm Beckley, DeLanoy, & Jemison. Virginia Beckley Richardson was active in the Service League, which later became the Junior League of Las Vegas—which was responsible for the transportation of the Beckley home from Fremont Street to the Clark County Museum. Their contributions ensured that the Beckley family’s legacy of civic engagement and community service continued into subsequent generations.

Preserving History: The Beckley Home in Las Vegas

In 1979, the Beckley home was relocated to the Clark County Museum’s Heritage Street, where it was restored to reflect the family’s lifestyle during the 1920s. The home’s furnishings, including original dining room furniture, dishes, and personal items, provide visitors with an authentic glimpse into early 20th-century life in Southern Nevada. The home also hosted significant family events, such as Virginia’s wedding reception, and served as a gathering place for community leaders. Its preservation ensures that the Beckley family’s contributions to Las Vegas are remembered and celebrated.