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Boulder City is a planned city created for the workers and families of those who built the Hoover Dam.
Introduction to Boulder City
Located a short drive from the dam, it’s worth visiting Boulder City to understand more about the daily lives of the people who came “to make the desert bloom” in the midst of the Great Depression.
Boulder City was laid out and built in 1931 by the Bureau of Reclamation and Six Companies, Inc. Workers originally had to live in tents along the Colorado River, and the government wanted to provide them with a clean living environment. The plan included ample public space and landscaping, earning it the nickname “Nevada’s Garden City”.
Dutch-born urban architect Saco Rienk de Boer (1883-1974) designed the city to house 5,000 workers. Their status was reflected in the size and location of their homes. For instance, managers lived close to parks and public buildings while manual laborers lived further away. Commercial development was severely restricted. Visitors were allowed to enter by permit, and by 1932, had to pass through a gatehouse.
Furthermore, there were no schools in the original plan because only single men were expected seek work. Residents had to make do with makeshift schools until state-funded schools were approved. In addition, there was no hospital and alcohol was prohibited until 1969.
The government relinquished control of Boulder City in 1959 and the city was officially incorporated on January 4, 1960. Over 400 historic structures still stand in the city, and it remains one of two Nevada cities that don’t allow gambling. Much of the original street plan is still intact, including the small downtown along Nevada Way. It has antique shops, restaurants, a candy shop, and more.
Boulder Dam Hotel
On Arizona Street, you’ll find some of the more important historic buildings. The Boulder Dam Hotel is probably the most important. It was built by Jim Webb and completed in 1933, and it quickly became a huge draw, accommodating officials and tourists visiting the dam construction site. Several celebrities stayed there when they went to see the dam under construction, including Boris Karloff (1887-1969) and Shirley Temple (1928-2014).
At the beginning of World War II, the dam was closed to visitors and the Boulder Dam Hotel struggled to attract guests. It went through several owners until it was purchased by the Boulder City Museum and Historical Association in 2005. The hotel continues to operate today with 22 rooms and also hosts various cultural and educational events throughout the year.
Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum
On the ground floor of the hotel is the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum. It features interactive exhibits, oral histories, original photographs, and artifacts related to the construction of the Hoover Dam. Admission is free (as of September 2024) and it’s open daily from 7am to 7pm.
While the visitor center at the dam focuses on the construction and engineering, this museum focuses more on the people who built it and how their families coped with life in the desert.
Boulder Theatre
On the next block is the historic Boulder Theatre. It was built in 1933 by Fox Theatres to show movies. Because it was the only air-conditioned place in town, it was a popular place for workers to beat the desert heat. Throughout the years, the theatre hosted concerts, plays, and speeches by dignitaries.
Where to Eat in Boulder City
We stopped for lunch before having a look around town.
Milo’s Cellar and Wine Bar (Permanently Closed)
If you’re looking for a good meal, try Milo’s Cellar and Wine Bar. They bill themselves as “a culinary combination of a Bistro in Paris, a Taverna in Santorini and a Roadside Pub in New Zealand”. There’s a good menu with burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads. It was a nice break from the expensive meals in Las Vegas. Milo’s is located downtown on Nevada Way.
