Boulder City, NV
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. Boulder City is largely inhabited by retirees, people servicing the tourist traffic associated with Las Vegas and Lake Mead, and commuters who work in Las Vegas but prefer the cleaner, greener aspects of this small town. 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- 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
visitors
facility at the top of the dam. Admission for adults is $3,
senior citizens $1.50. Tours daily from 8-6:30 (702) 293-8367
Lake
Mead 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. 702.293.8906 A five
minute drive along the shore will bring you to Lake Mead Marina.
Here you will be able to rent boats, relax on the beach, use the
camping facilities, shop in the a gift store and eat at the
restaurant. 702.293.3484 A drive about an hour will take you along
the north shore where you will find five more marinas. When you
reach the upper arm of the lake, about a mile past Overton Beach,
look for the sign announcing the Valley of Fire Visitor Center.