Category: Boulder City-Hoover Dam

On This Date: September 30, 1935 Hoover Dam Was Dedicated by President FDR

September 30, 2021
Hoover Dam Dedicated by President Roosevelt

Boulder Dam/Hoover Dam Dedicated by President Roosevelt Sept. 30, 1935

Hoover Dam, once known as Boulder Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between Arizona and Nevada. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over one hundred lives. The cost of the construction was $49 million dollars and was completed two years ahead of schedule. The dam was controversially named after President Herbert Hoover.

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On This Date: July 3, 1930 Appropriation Bill for the Boulder Dam Was Signed

July 3, 2017
hoover dam

Hoover Dam on the Nevada – Arizona Border Built Starting in 1931

On July 3, 1930, President Herbert Hoover signed the appropriation bill for the Boulder Dam.  Work started on the dam in 1931 and Las Vegas’ population swelled from around 5,000 citizens to 25,000, with most of the newcomers looking for a job building the dam. The casinos and showgirl theaters first appeared in Las Vegas to entertain the largely male-majority dam construction workers. The name of the dam was later changed from Boulder Dam to Hoover Dam.

Photo By: LasVegas360.com
Date Taken: November 26, 2011

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Hike to Hoover Dam, 5 Tunnels Hike

December 2, 2011
5 Tunnels Hike to Hoover Dam

5 Tunnels Hike to Hoover Dam

GPS 36.011096º N   –   114.794076º W

The 5 Tunnels or the Historic Railroad hike to Hoover Dam is on the old historic railroad that was used to build Hoover Damn in the ’30. The trail has been removed of all the rail and ties it once had. The trail starts just off the US 93 (Great Basin Highway) on Lakeshore Road heading to Lake Mead from Boulder City. There is parking lot on the east side of the road. This trail to the dam take you through 5 larger size tunnels on the way to the dam. No flashlight are needed for this hike. The trail is a smooth gravel road and is very popular with runners, hikers and mountain bikers. It is about 3.8- 4 miles to the dam and you come out on the top level of the parking lot at the Hoover Dam visitor center. You can easily add a few more miles walking to the Arizona side of the dam and up to the largest concrete arched bridge in North America. On this hike we did both and the total distance was just over 10 miles round trip.

This is a good hike to do in cooler weather, summertime would be too hat as this part of Lake Mead tends to be about 10 degrees hotter that Las Vegas.

Trail map

Trail map to Hoover Dam

A note about the tunnels, although they vary in length, generally they measure 300 feet in length and are at least 25 feet wide and at least 30 high. The trail is very easy to hike and loses elevation as you make your way to the dam (about 300 feet). Along the trail you will see great views of Lake Mead. as you approach the dam follow the trail markers though some large gates as the trail changes from the main road to a clearly marked side trail. You will also travel through the Hoover Dam’s large electrical yard. At the end of the yard is a designated spot to pick-up hikers and it is free to get in here opposed to tying to pick them up at the parking garage which cost $7.

Panoramic View of Lake Mead

Panoramic view of Lake Mead from the trail

If  you want to get up to the new Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, also commonly known as the Bypass Bridge, you will need to make a right in the middle of the electrical yard south to the main road. From there, you cross the old highway and make your way up the 7 flights of stairs, or use the long sweeping ramps to access the top of the bridge.

The Historic Railroad Tunnel is a great hike near Las Vegas with a fabulous ending at Hoover Dam. Bring a camera, and plenty of water, for this historic hike.

Photos by: LasVegas360.com

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Coffee Cup: Boulder City, Nevada

November 8, 2011

Coffee Cup Cafe in Downtown Boulder City

In the small quaint town of Boulder City, Nevada located 30 miles south east of Las Vegas the is a cafe worth pulling over for called, The Coffee Cup.  The “Cup”, as the locals refer to it, has been around since Hoover Dam was being built and the town of Boulder was created. The original “The Coffee Cup” was located a few doors down from the current location on the corner of Boulder Highway and Ash Street. This was the original historical location but is now a cafe called Mel’s Diner. Down the street at the current location of the Coffee Cup, there was a place called the “Green Hut” it then changed to “Harry’s Cafe” and now is the Cup. The original neon sign was modified with the an old part of the original “Cup” sign. If you take a good look at the logo at the top sign matches the current neon at Mel’s Diner. In the Spring of 1994, “Coffee Cup” opened for business at 558 Nevada Way in the Old Town area of Boulder City, Nevada.

Diners Drive-ins Dives

Diners Drive-ins Dives

Now, in May of 2007, the Food Network’s, Guy Fieri did a feature of this eatery and showcased it on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” or Triple “D”.  Featuring the pork Chili Verde omelet, owner Al Stevens’ signature dish.  Well its been over 4 years since Guy mad his famous visit.  I needed to go out and see if it was still holding up to the hype.

Let me tell you. I order the Huevos Rancheros with the Pork Chili Verde sauce and it was delicious. Big chunks of port over crispy corn tortilla that gave it a great crunch. The hash browns were grilled to golden brown perfection.  Followed up with a never ending cup of hot coffee.  The meal was perfect and I recommend this place to everyone. The place is always busy, it’s a good sign for a restaurant, it’s a reflection of how good the food is. With a short run from Las Vegas, the Coffee Cup makes a great place to have a really good meal in a the beautiful town of Boulder City.

Huevos Rancheros with a Tasty Pork Chili Verde

Huevos Rancheros with a Tasty Pork Chili Verde

Photos by: LasVegas360.com
Except for the Triple ‘D’ one 

The Coffee Cup
512 Nevada Highway
Boulder City, NV 89005
702-294-0517

www.worldfamouscoffeecup.com

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Boulder City / Hoover Dam

July 4, 2011

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

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 Tours daily from 8-5:15pm Call (702) 293-8367

Lake Mead National 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. (702) 293-8990

 

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