Nevada History: On The GO! – Baby Face Nelson in Nevada (Off-site, SVL)
May 3, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Nevada History – On The GO! (Sierra View Library)
Baby Face Nelson in Nevada
May 3, 2025
1:00 to 2:30pm
Nevada History – On The GO!
The Nevada Historical Society’s building may be closed for an exciting remodel, but you can still enjoy their fascinating lectures at the Sierra View Library during their closure. NHS Nevada History – On The GO! Series is combining their three history programs that delve into Nevada History, Lake Tahoe, and the American Gaming Archives gambling and gaming history. Make sure to visit Sierra View Library on the first Saturday of every month to learn more about Nevada’s history through these engaging talks that are geared towards audiences of all ages.
Speaker: Michael Fischer, historian
Title of Talk: Baby Face Nelson in Nevada
Summary of Talk: Few people living in Nevada today know that Baby Face Nelson, whose given name was Lester Gillis, spent a great deal of time in Nevada. He was avoiding the heat from the
authorities in the Midwest. In Reno, he was afforded protection from arrest and incarceration because of his connections with Bill Graham and James McKay. Their political and business connections covered almost the entire state.
A vicious killer and borderline psychopath, Nelson lived in Nevada during the period when he was the most wanted criminal in America. In this presentation, Michael E. Fischer explores Nelson’s time in the state and explains why such a notorious killer could hide out here in plain sight. It is the story of politics, corruption, and crime in 1930s Nevada.
Speaker Bio: Michael Fischer is a retired dentist who has many years of experience in private sector cultural affairs management. Fischer has served on the Board of Directors of the Western Folklife Center, serves on the board of the Douglas County Historical Society, the board of the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society and the Nevada Agricultural Foundation.
Fischer is actively involved with the H. F. Dangberg Home Ranch in Douglas County and was a Douglas County Commissioner for eight years. He was appointed Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs by Governor Gibbons in 2007 and served in the Sandoval Administration until Cultural Affairs was merged with Tourism. Fischer’s interest in Nevada history began as a child when his family visited historic sites around the state.
We would like to thank our partner, the Washoe County Library System and the Sierra View Library for hosting our off-site lectures.
Sierra View Library has been serving communities from Midtown to South Reno since 1987. Located inside the Reno Town Mall, directly across from the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, the library has two entrances. The front entrance allows visitors to stroll by shops and businesses in the mall, while the second entrance is accessible from the rear, south side of the mall. This back entrance has an ADA accessible lift. The address is 4001 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502.
