Hoover Dam - Boulder City, Nevada
The Hoover Dam was never really on the to-go list but when my friends suggested a mini road trip from Las Vegas, I figured why not. With it being only forty-five minutes from Vegas it was the perfect day trip and I’m happy we went. We piled into our minivan since there were six of us and we were on the way. The drive was really nice, the scenery was different than I am used to. Living in Colorado. I am used to the mountains but the terrain here was very dry, flat and dessert. It was simplistic in its beauty.
The dam is half in Nevada and half in Arizona which is unique. At one point in the middle of the dam, you are standing in both of the states at once. You can take a tour of the dam but we just walked around and read the plaques.
Here is some history for you. About a million people visit the dam every year, making it a large tourist attraction. It was built between nineteen thirty-one and nineteen thirty-six during the Great Depression. Over one hundred people died making the dam. It was originally named the Boulder Dam but was dedicated to President Herbert Hoover and renamed. While it took five years to complete, it was still finished more than two years earlier than anticipated. The dam provides power to Nevada, Arizona and California and impounds Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States (when full). The dam cost around forty-nine million dollars in the nineteen thirties, that would be equivalent to around six hundred some million dollars today.
Like I said, it was never on the list but I am happy that I was able to see it. When you are there it is quite impressive, especially being built in the nineteen thirties. It is massive and remarkable when you are up close and personal. I would recommend going if you are nearby.
For more information, visit https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/ .
