Las Vegas Sun

August 29, 2008

Hoover Dam - Construction

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Boulder Dam's framework shown from the downstream side as its construction gets underway. The Hoover Dam project is awarded to Six Companies Inc. The chief executive of the company develops many of the techniques used to build the dam. Due to the furious pace the workers were subjected to, the project is finished two years ahead of schedule in 1935.

Boulder Dam's framework shown from the downstream side as its construction gets underway. The Hoover Dam project is awarded to Six Companies Inc. The chief executive of the company develops many of the techniques used to build the dam. Due to the furious pace the workers were subjected to, the project is finished two years ahead of schedule in 1935. View photo »

An explosion occurs during the construction of the Hoover Dam. Workers, called high-scalers, are suspended from the Black Canyon wall and would drill holes into the rock with 44-pound jackhammer drills. The holes are then loaded with dynamite in order to clear Black Canyon down to bedrock.

An explosion occurs during the construction of the Hoover Dam. Workers, called high-scalers, are suspended from the Black Canyon wall and would drill holes into the rock with 44-pound jackhammer drills. The holes are then loaded with dynamite in order to clear Black Canyon down to bedrock. View photo »

A gang of puddlers pack wet concrete into the base of Hoover Dam as an eight cubic-yard bucket spews out 16 tons of concrete at a time. The dam is a concrete gravity-arch which is designed to resist overturning, sliding and crushing at the toe. It's mass inspires safety and stability upon first glance.

A gang of puddlers pack wet concrete into the base of Hoover Dam as an eight cubic-yard bucket spews out 16 tons of concrete at a time. The dam is a concrete gravity-arch which is designed to resist overturning, sliding and crushing at the toe. It's mass inspires safety and stability upon first glance. View photo »

A man stands inside of a penstock pipe, used during the construction of the Hoover Dam. The 30-foot diameter pipes dwarf the worker, and shows the grand scale of the project. In fact, there is enough concrete inside the dam to pave a two-lane highway from San Francisco, Calif. to New York, N.Y.

A man stands inside of a penstock pipe, used during the construction of the Hoover Dam. The 30-foot diameter pipes dwarf the worker, and shows the grand scale of the project. In fact, there is enough concrete inside the dam to pave a two-lane highway from San Francisco, Calif. to New York, N.Y. View photo »

A large crowd celebrates the completion of the railroad at Boulder Junction (near the Hoover Dam) on Sept. 17, 1930. Work on the dam began in 1931. Dam workers were forced to stay in tents because Boulder City had not been completely built. That, combined with poor working conditions, led to a strike in 1931. The strike was soon quelled, and by 1932 Boulder City was established.

A large crowd celebrates the completion of the railroad at Boulder Junction (near the Hoover Dam) on Sept. 17, 1930. Work on the dam began in 1931. Dam workers were forced to stay in tents because Boulder City had not been completely built. That, combined with poor working conditions, led to a strike in 1931. The strike was soon quelled, and by 1932 Boulder City was established. View photo »

Workers dine at the mess hall during construction of the Hoover Dam. The Boulder City Construction company hired the Anderson Brothers Supply Company to feed the workers. By 1936, the brothers served approximately 7,400,000 meals, averaging over 4,300 per day.

Workers dine at the mess hall during construction of the Hoover Dam. The Boulder City Construction company hired the Anderson Brothers Supply Company to feed the workers. By 1936, the brothers served approximately 7,400,000 meals, averaging over 4,300 per day. View photo »

Lights illuminate Black Canyon at the Boulder Dam construction site. The immense project demands attention from workers day and night. Many of them worked eight-hour shifts, seven days a week with no holidays. Work continued around the clock during construction.

Lights illuminate Black Canyon at the Boulder Dam construction site. The immense project demands attention from workers day and night. Many of them worked eight-hour shifts, seven days a week with no holidays. Work continued around the clock during construction. View photo »

Workers smile for the camera in this picture showing a truck-mounted drill. The drill is used in the upper portion of the diversion tunnels. The diversion tunnels redirect the Colorado River around the construction site. Four tunnels are drilled, two on the Nevada side and two on the Arizona side. All are 56 feet in diameter and have been sealed since construction completed.

Workers smile for the camera in this picture showing a truck-mounted drill. The drill is used in the upper portion of the diversion tunnels. The diversion tunnels redirect the Colorado River around the construction site. Four tunnels are drilled, two on the Nevada side and two on the Arizona side. All are 56 feet in diameter and have been sealed since construction completed. View photo »

Workers are shown pouring concrete at Hoover Dam. Refrigerated water from the Colorado River cools the tubes within the concrete to help remove heat generated by the solidifying process. Only one worker has officially been buried at the dam. He falls into the river and is dragged to the bottom. His body is later found stuck inside one of the temporary structures called cofferdams.

Workers are shown pouring concrete at Hoover Dam. Refrigerated water from the Colorado River cools the tubes within the concrete to help remove heat generated by the solidifying process. Only one worker has officially been buried at the dam. He falls into the river and is dragged to the bottom. His body is later found stuck inside one of the temporary structures called cofferdams. View photo »

The man in the middle of the photograph, known as

The man in the middle of the photograph, known as "Boss Doc,'' is superintendent of a crew at Hoover Dam. This crew built the center section of the power house, machine shops, seismograph room, clock room and battery room in the summer of 1935. View photo »

A picture shows the swing shift at the Hoover Dam lined up at the paymaster's window on Jan. 25, 1932. Men working on the dam were paid on the 10th and 25th of each month. Each worker earns about 50 cents an hour during the Great Depression.

A picture shows the swing shift at the Hoover Dam lined up at the paymaster's window on Jan. 25, 1932. Men working on the dam were paid on the 10th and 25th of each month. Each worker earns about 50 cents an hour during the Great Depression. View photo »

A sign erected at the entrance to the Boulder Canyon Project Federal Reservation, the site of Hoover Dam, on Dec. 1, 1931. The project is originally planned to be built in Boulder Canyon, hence the name, but is eventually moved 8 miles down to Black Canyon. The dam is named after President Herbert Hoover, but for many years goes by the name Boulder Dam.

A sign erected at the entrance to the Boulder Canyon Project Federal Reservation, the site of Hoover Dam, on Dec. 1, 1931. The project is originally planned to be built in Boulder Canyon, hence the name, but is eventually moved 8 miles down to Black Canyon. The dam is named after President Herbert Hoover, but for many years goes by the name Boulder Dam. View photo »

A temporary camp set up to house the workers building the Hoover Dam. The construction company is contracted to build Boulder City for the workers, but it's not finished by the time construction starts. The city is finished in 1932 but does not allow gambling, prostitution or alchohol. Boulder City legalized the sale of alcohol in 1969, but remains the only city in Nevada that doesn't allow gambling.

A temporary camp set up to house the workers building the Hoover Dam. The construction company is contracted to build Boulder City for the workers, but it's not finished by the time construction starts. The city is finished in 1932 but does not allow gambling, prostitution or alchohol. Boulder City legalized the sale of alcohol in 1969, but remains the only city in Nevada that doesn't allow gambling. View photo »

Workers install the ceiling of Diversion Tunnel No. 2, during the construction of the Hoover Dam. Many workers suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning generated by the machines and later died. Six Companies Inc. blamed most of the deaths on pneumonia and and was spared any responsibility. Many of these workers remain undocumented on the official death list.

Workers install the ceiling of Diversion Tunnel No. 2, during the construction of the Hoover Dam. Many workers suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning generated by the machines and later died. Six Companies Inc. blamed most of the deaths on pneumonia and and was spared any responsibility. Many of these workers remain undocumented on the official death list. View photo »

At least one person's enjoying the snow in this picture of the ice cream shop in Boulder City. Las Vegas is known for its extreme temperatures from the last recorded snowfall in 1979, to record heat in 2006.

At least one person's enjoying the snow in this picture of the ice cream shop in Boulder City. Las Vegas is known for its extreme temperatures from the last recorded snowfall in 1979, to record heat in 2006. View photo »

An unidentified worker applies a jackhammer to rock in Boulder Canyon where Hoover Dam stands today. The worker wears a rope harness to keep from falling hundreds of feet from the side of the canyon. The dam stands just over 726 feet tall, and in spite of precautions, 114 people died during construction, according to official records.

An unidentified worker applies a jackhammer to rock in Boulder Canyon where Hoover Dam stands today. The worker wears a rope harness to keep from falling hundreds of feet from the side of the canyon. The dam stands just over 726 feet tall, and in spite of precautions, 114 people died during construction, according to official records. View photo »

Diversion Tunnel No. 3 on the Arizona Side of Hoover Dam is shown under construction. The Hoover Dam sits in between Nevada and Arizona and divides the Colorado River. The project is built to help keep silt and sediment out of the Colorado River, and functions as a power plant as well as a dam. The reservoir behind the dam creates Lake Mead.

Diversion Tunnel No. 3 on the Arizona Side of Hoover Dam is shown under construction. The Hoover Dam sits in between Nevada and Arizona and divides the Colorado River. The project is built to help keep silt and sediment out of the Colorado River, and functions as a power plant as well as a dam. The reservoir behind the dam creates Lake Mead. View photo »

In April 1933, high scalers work to drill holes that contain dynamite on the rock wall on the Nevada side of Black Canyon. The work was dangerous, hard labor, often in temperatures above 100-degree heat. Workers earned about 50 cents an hour.

In April 1933, high scalers work to drill holes that contain dynamite on the rock wall on the Nevada side of Black Canyon. The work was dangerous, hard labor, often in temperatures above 100-degree heat. Workers earned about 50 cents an hour. View photo »

A boat is shown floating downstream behind the Hoover Dam in this Jan. 10, 1932 photo. Boats are often used to transport men and supplies up and down the canyon during construction.

A boat is shown floating downstream behind the Hoover Dam in this Jan. 10, 1932 photo. Boats are often used to transport men and supplies up and down the canyon during construction. View photo »

A piece of pipe is towed along to the Hoover Dam. In 1981, the dam is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lake Mead, the reservoir that was created behind the dam, is named after construction foreman Elwood Mead. Mead oversaw the construction of the whole project.

A piece of pipe is towed along to the Hoover Dam. In 1981, the dam is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lake Mead, the reservoir that was created behind the dam, is named after construction foreman Elwood Mead. Mead oversaw the construction of the whole project. View photo »

A young Hoover Dam laborer smiles for the camera.

A young Hoover Dam laborer smiles for the camera. View photo »

Mon, May 15, 1905 (midnight)

At the time of construction, Hoover Dam was the nation's highest dam and costliest water project. Officially, 96 people died during the construction of the massive project. However, hundreds more may have shorted their lifespans through work-related elements.

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