September 27, 2026
Boulder City is less a city than a sleepy little town. Its sole reason for existence was the need to house workers building the nearby Hoover Dam. It was jointly built in 1931 by the Federal Government and the companies that had contracted to build the dam. It was designed to house approximately 5,000 workers whose status was reflected in the house sizes and locations. The most important employees’ residences were situated on top of a nearby hill while the laborers were located furthest away from the public buildings and parks. The town doesn’t look as though it has changed much in the ensuing ninety years. The hotel we stayed in even still used keys.
The city was founded during the Prohibition era and in the basement of the hotel is a speakeasy. It is so secret that we were its only patrons.
Here are some photos taken around town.
