Boulder
City / Hoover Dam
Boulder City
Boulder City was built by the federal government to house
the thousands of workers who were building the Hoover Dam project
in the 1930s. In order to keep these workers away from the temptations
of Las Vegas, Boulder City was founded and gambling was made illegal.
This quaint town remains the only community in Nevada were gaming
is still illegal.
Management and maintenance crews of Hoover Dam are now the predominant
residents of Boulder City. This unique town is a vibrant community,
with a movie theater, numerous gift shops, parks and a historic
hotel. Call the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce for more information
702.293.2034 or visit www.bouldercitychamber.com.
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam- is one of the seven man-made wonders of the world.
The dam is 727 feet high (70 stories) and 660 feet thick. Construction
of the dam required 4.4 million cubic yards of concrete (which
is enough to build a two lane highway from San Francisco to New
York). In 1928 Congress appropriated $165 million in funds to
build the Boulder Dam project for two purposes: flood control
and the generation of electricity. Originally called Boulder Dam,
it was renamed for Herbert Hoover, Secretary of Commerce, during
the critical planning stages of the project. Completed in 1935,
this gravity dam holds back the mighty Colorado River and forms
the largest man-made lake, Lake Mead. Hoover Dam is located 40
miles from Las Vegas on Highway 93. Tours are available and they
leave every few minutes from the exhibit building at the top of
the dam. Regular Tour adults $8, senior citizens $7. Kids 6-16
$2 Tours daily from 8-5:15 (702) 293-8367. www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam.
Lake Mead Recreation Area
Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake in the country. It
is created by Hoover Dam holding back the waters of the Colorado
River. Its surface covers 229 square miles and its irregular shoreline
extends 550 miles. Lake Mead is located off of Highway 93. The
National Park Service can give you details on the lake's recreational
activities and facilities. Call 702.293.8906 or visit www.nps.gov/lame.
Lake Mead Cruises has a 250-passenger stern-wheeler that voyages
to the lower portion of the lake; breakfast, cocktails, and dinner
with dancing are available on some of the cruises. Located at
Lake Mead Marina, cost $14.50-$43 adults, $6-$12 for children
3-12. Call 702.293.6180 or visit www.lakemeadcruises.com.
A five minute drive along the shore will bring you to Lake Mead
Marina. Here you will be able to rent boats, relax on the beach,
use the camping facilities, shop in the a gift store and eat at
the restaurant. 702.293.3484
A drive about an hour will take you along the north shore where
you will find five more marinas. When you reach the upper arm
of the lake, about a mile past Overton Beach, look for the sign
announcing the Valley of Fire Visitor Center. |
Hoover Dam Completed 1935
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Photo courtesy of 
