Near Boulder City in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Origin of the Dam

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 20, 2024

1. Origin of the Dam Marker

Inscription. In 1902 the Reclamation Act provided for the creation of what is now called the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). Primarily engineers, they sought potential water development projects in western states with federal lands. The Colorado River was chosen because of the flooding it caused and the enormous amount of water it could provide to the surrounding states. The Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928 authorized construction of the dam.

BOR’s engineers were among the most experienced dam builders in the world. The Colorado River required a huge dam, larger then anything they had designed before. Art Deco architectural elements were designed by architect Gordon B. Kaufmann including the intake towers, towers on top of the dam, Arizona power house exteriors, Nevada power house exteriors and an exhibit building.

Top
Construction workers standing on a craned platform at the Hoover Dam construction site, circa 1930s. Digital Image P45-301-1583 from Bureau of Reclamation.

Middle
Early Hoover Dam Construction. Hoover Exact Date Unknown, 1911 Digital Image P45-301-1119 from Bureau of Reclamation.

Bottom
Hoover Dam Plan, 1930 Digital Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture

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• Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 35° 59.668′ N, 114° 47.954′ W. Marker is near Boulder City, Nevada, in Clark County. It is on Interstate 11, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the Robert L. Mendenhall Scenic Overlook. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boulder City NV 89005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mojave Desert

and in Greater Las Vegas.

It is also in the American Southwest

and in the Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Boulder City (here, next to this marker); Tunnel Construction (here, next to this marker); Boulder Dam! No! (here, next to this marker); Lake Mead National Recreation Area (here, next to this marker); The Colorado River (here, next to this marker); Dam Completion (here, next to this marker); Robert L. Mendenhall Scenic Overlook Obelisk (a few steps from this marker); Interstate 11 Project Team (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boulder City.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 20, 2024

2. Origin of the Dam Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 20, 2024

3. Origin of the Dam Marker

Arizona Power House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 20, 2024

4. Arizona Power House

Nevada Power House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 20, 2024

5. Nevada Power House

Arizona and Nevada Power Houses image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 20, 2024

6. Arizona and Nevada Power Houses

Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 18, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.