This site is about the 20th century history of the state of Nevada. 

   Having spent fifty-eight years of my life in the 20th Century, and 61 of years connected to Nevada, this site will be filled with my personal historical interests and observations.  

 Robert Stoldal

     Footnotes and facts.  As far as facts –   we will search for and research  stories that have not been told.  Small stories, the footnotes of history.  We will look for historical errors, especially those on government web sites,  both the nit-pick kind as well those that fit into the important category.  One other note about this site, it too will have opportunities for improvement.  Look forward to corrections, comments and valuable criticism.

Photographs and post cards.  A key element on this site is the preservation and identification of the images on photographs and post cards of the state,  including the,who, what, why, where and when of the images.

    Fun.  I asked an artist friend, Lynn Adamson to create a “Captain History” logo for this blog site, expecting something along the lines of a pirate captain with a parrot on his shoulder preferably a “Norwegian Blue with great plumage.”     Nope, just a bit of white hair standing in front of boxes full of information.

The title ‘Captain History’ was bestowed upon this reporter several years ago by award winning Nevada political reporter and friend Steve Sebelius.   We had a ‘discussion’ as Las Vegas was celebrating its 100 birthday as a city in 2005.  Steve, who knows his history, insisted the City’s 100 birthday should not take place until 2011.  Steve was correct-sorta. Yes Las Vegas did not become an official “City” until it incorporated and elected its first mayor in 1911.  Before that it was an official “Town” and for the previous ninety-nine years the ‘community’ had celebrated is birthday as May 15, 1905.  And, it was during our discussions Steve, with tongue in cheek, with the power vested in him, came up with the title “Captain History.”

BIOGRAPHY

During a career that spans more than five decades Bob as a journalist he is the receipt of many honors, including a Peabody Award and an Edward R. Murrow award for investigative journalism.

In 2015 Bob was recognized by the National Honor Society in Journalism and Mass Communication, Kappa Tau Alpha “in recognition of Extraordinary Contributions to Broadcast Journalism in Southern Nevada.”

In 2020 Bob received the honor of being named a “Distinguished Nevadan” by the University Of Nevada Board Of Regents.  The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the cultural, and social advancement of Nevada and its people.

In 2008, at the age of sixty-six-years, Bob retired.

However, in 2009 Stoldal came out of retirement and was named Vice President of News for the Sunbelt Corporation.  Sunbelt owned television stations in Nevada’s major cities.

The station’s owner Jim Rogers wanted to expand the station’s community commitment through news and information programming.   Within two years, Stoldal added five hours of local news each day to the corporation’s flagship station in Las Vegas.

In late 2014 at the age of seventy-two, Bob retired again.

Focused both on journalism and historic preservation, in 2017 Stoldal became, and is the current Chairman of the board of The Nevada Independent nonpartisan, nonprofit news, and opinion website.

In addition, as of January 2024, Bob currently serves on several community boards including the Nevada Public Radio Advisory Board, Las Vegas City Historic Preservation Commission, current chair,  Preserve Nevada, the National Atomic Testing Museum, and as vice chair of the Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial.