Construction of hoover dam would not begin until april of 1931, but men and families began drifting into las vegas 30 miles from the dam site in early 1929 in hopes of dam. The hoover dam, an extraordinary engineering achievement of the thirties, was originally called the boulder dam because it was to span boulder canyon. Through the worst years of the great depression as many as five thousand laborers toiled twentyfour hours a day, seven days a week, to erect the huge structure that would harness the. After the stock market crash of 1929 and the great depression, an avalanche of unemployed poured in for a limited number of hoover dam construction. Now, in an engrossing, fastpaced narrative, joseph e. An enormous concrete arched structure, measuring over 725 feet high and 1,244 feet long, the dam cost 49 million dollars to complete and was responsible for over 100 deaths. The books provide details of the many construction and management aspect of the dam. The construction companies that made up the consortium went their separate ways after the hoover dam project, and accomplished a variety of successful projects afterwards. The boulder canyon project, of which the hoover dam is the principal feature, is being. Hoover dam was the most expensive engineering project in u.
The story of hoover dam is a collection of articles published at the time of the construction of the dam, each chapter is a different article, wrote at different time from the next one. Hansen in the early years of the 20th century, the rapid development of the southwestern united states was creating a high. In order to visually document the project, the bureau of reclamation assigned employee ben glaha to photograph all aspects of the dams construction. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over one hundred lives. Hiltzik seems to make absolutely no mention of the environmental impact of the dam. In the spring of 1931, in a rugged desert canyon on the arizonanevada border, an army of workmen began one of the most difficult and daring building projects ever undertakenthe construction of hoover dam. Hoover dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the great depression and was dedicated on september 30, 1935, by president franklin d. Morrisonknudsen company president henry morrison appeared on the cover of time magazine in 1954, his company having grown to one of the largest construction and engineering. As breathtaking today as the day it was completed, hoover dam not only sh.
The nevada state museum, las vegas recently added to its collections a copy of judith sattler irons cd, hoover dam construction worker genealogical database. It was given incentive bonuses and would be fined for each day construction overran the assigned schedule. Hoover dam was test of engineers theories the new york times. Previous literature regarding the hoover dam project focused primarily on the aspects of design, engineering, and construction, with minimal analysis or discussions on project and program management. Bureau of reclamation decided the best solution for the arid southwest would be to dam the river and create a yearround water supply. Building the hoover dam bridge slide show scientific american. When completed in 1936, the dam was a major engineering achievement at a height of 221 meters 726 feet and crestwidth of 379 meters 1,244 feet. The hoover dam at 75 when the hoover dam was finished in 1935, it was three times larger than any other dam on the planet. Hoover dams construction under the federal budget demonstrates how nevada was embracing what would become franklin d. The hoover dam is one of the united states most famous dams and, standing 726 feet high, its also the nations third largest. In the early 1900s, after many failed efforts to control the lower colorado river with levees and irrigation canals, the u. It was the highest dam in the world when it was completed in 1935.
Construction of the giant dam was a triumph of human ingenuity, yet the full story of this monumental endeavor has never been told. Construction of hoover dam by department of the interior and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Each spillway, designed to let floodwaters pass without harming the dam itself, can handle the volume of water that flows over niagara falls. Counting only dams taller than fifty feet high, the u. Cafepress brings your passions to life with the perfect item for every occasion. Past efforts at forcing the colorado under human will had met with varying degrees of success. A photographic essay captures the construction of a 1,900foot addition to the. Hoover dam construction process civil engg lectures, books. The official death toll from construction accidents at the site was 96, but the real number was undoubtedly higher, said mcbride, author of several books on hoover dam and boulder city. Construction of hoover dam would not begin until april of 1931, but men and families began drifting into las vegas 30 miles from the dam site in early 1929 in hopes of dam construction employment. Facts not just about the construction of the dam, it also facts about societal views and what everyday life was like for some. It was originally known as boulder dam from 1933, but was officially renamed hoover dam by. The history and construction of americas most famous engineering.
Built during the great depression, the dam would tame the floodprone colorado river southeast of las vegas. Construction began during 1953 due to the increased water demand. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the hoover dam like never before, in no time at all. Hoover dam was constructed during one of the most depressed economic climates in american history, in a remote desert canyon where temperatures ranged from single to triple digits. What can we learn from the hoover dam project that. An overview of hoover dam construction history with links to hoover dam information and articles of facts and humaninterest insight. The building of hoover dam belongs to the sagas of the daring. In particular those that died on the job or resulting from the harsh conditions. The grandeur of the hoover dam makes one speechless, as you look down at birds of prey hovering down below in the canyon. We visited the hoover dam about 20 years ago, took the behindthescene tours and was fascinated by the magnitude of, well, everything there. Building the hoover dam, 19311936 rare historical photos.
Page 77 district, which may require or involve the employment of laborers or mechanics shall contain a provision that no laborer or mechanic doing any part of. The mighty hoover dam, starting as a dream of land developers and farmers, became the most ambitious civil engineering project of the great depression. It is within black canyon on the colorado river, near las vegas. Free returns 100% satisfaction guarantee fast shipping. First, the development of the american west, with emphasis on the southwest and southern california. Preliminary investigations, design of dam, and progress of construction united states. Hoover dam and the making of the american century is a fascinating read, authoritatively researched, and made very personal by author michael hiltzik, who tells stories of the personalities involved in the dam construction project, from presidents to wage laborers. Over the next five years, a total of 21,000 men would work ceaselessly to produce what would be the largest dam of its time, as well as. The hoover dam and its construction essay 4053 words 17 pages. Roosevelt was present and most of the work on the dam with the exception of the powerhouse was completed at the time.
The hoover dam and millions of other books are available for instant access. It received the western writers of america spur award, the john h. Life and death at hoover dam by jerry borrowman goodreads. Hoover dam temporarily closed to all visitors the bureau of reclamation has temporarily suspended public visitation to hoover dam. The book is an oddly slanted history, a bit turbid and containing long dry patches. Credit books or scrip are supplied to its employees which are re. Hoover dam stands 726 feet tall from foundation to crest, the height of a 60story skyscraper. Mar 15, 2018 the hoover dam is one of the united states most famous dams and, standing 726 feet high, its also the nations third largest. Over 700 feet tall, it has been standing here, on the nevadaarizona border, since 1935, having been completed just four short years after the award of the contract and two years ahead of schedule. Hoover dam is named for herbert hoover, the 31st president of the united states. This reservoir is a major water source for the city of columbus, ohio. Hoover dam fulfilled the goal of disseminating the onewild colorado river through the parched southwest landscape, fueling the development of. The story of the hoover dam book by ingersollrand company.
In the spring of 1931, in a rugged desert canyon on the arizonanevada border. Jul 28, 2019 on this day in 1930, construction of the hoover dam begins. More than 21,000 men labored to construct the dam between 1931. Hoover dam is a concrete archgravity dam in the black canyon of the colorado river, on the border between the u. The early assumption was that boulder canyon would be the better site, but early. Essay on the construction of the hoover dam 47 words.
Oct 15, 1985 before the construction of hoover dam, the worlds largest was owyee dam in oregon, 420 feet high. Although i am a civil engineer i find the book difficult to read. Hoover dam is americas most famous landmark, completed in 1935. Hoover dam build photos reveal the wonder of human invention. President hoover strongly supported construction of a high concrete dam on the colorado river to control its flows, provide irrigation water to nearby farmlands. The photographs of ben glaha is the first detailed examination of glahas images of the project, some of which have never before been published. The old road along the crest is reserved for use by visitors to the dam. Hoover dam extends 30 miles southeast of las vegas along colorado river in black canyon between arizona and nevada. Glaha photographed every aspect of the construction processfrom details of how the dam was assembled to the overall progress as the dam rose from the bottom of the dry riverbed. The history and construction of americas most famous engineering project by charles river editors jan 11, 2017 3. I read a borrowed copy of this book then which brought an even deeper appreciation for men behind the near impossible construction of the dam and the complex support system necessary for a project of this size. Dunning prize of the american historical association, and the w. Hoover dam and the making of the american century by.
Before the construction of hoover dam, the worlds largest was owyee dam in oregon, 420 feet high. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Six construction firms created a consortium call six company, inc. This is ironic because the dam actually spans black canyon. His books include big science, the new deal, colossus, dealers of. Its base is as thick as two football fields are long. Includes pictures includes accounts of the project written by workers and their. Hoover dam, often called boulder dam, is located on the colorado river at the southern tip of nevada and the arizona border. Built during the great depression, between 1931 and 1936, the hoover damthen known as the boulder damwas one of the biggest construction projects of the era.
An american adventure, was published by the university of oklahoma press in 1988. The construction of the hoover dam was the culmination of years of attempts to harness the power of the colorado river. Second, the book is a tribute to the many people who died and suffered so hoover dam could be built. Hoover dam construction history hoover dam information. The dam construction took place in the1930s, with the concrete archgravity structure intended to prevent flooding, provide water for hydroelectric power and irrigation for the drier states of arizona and califonia. The hoover dam was completed two years ahead of schedule and under budget despite political, economical, technical, and organizational obstacles. View a slide show of the bridge construction at hoover dam. Jf ptak science books quick post in the series the history of blank, empty and missing things at the beginning of it all, the titanic started out as a space in a dry dock, a line of horse carts, and. But the real story behind hoover dam is the thousands who built it and the families that endured the living hell to bring it all to realty. Hoover dam, in blendon township, near westerville, ohio, dams the big walnut creek to form the hoover memorial reservoir.
Judith sattler irons offers the hoover dam construction workers and pioneer families of boulder city 1929 thru mid 1936 cd data base and continues to solicit archives and names of workers on the allamerican canal, imperial dam, parker dam and grand coulee dam while continuing her research which has encompassed 18 years and numerous archives throughout the west. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the great depression and was dedicated on september 30, 1935, by president franklin d. Father and son died on the same day, 14 years apart while. Because of the nature of the structure and an inability to implement social distancing standards recommended by the centers for disease control and prevention, the dam, including the visitor center and all tours, will be closed to the public until further notice. Turrentine jackson prize of the western history association.
The construction of the hoover dam is well documented however, the literature to date regarding the hoover dam focuses primarily on the engineering aspects associated with design and construction, with minimal discussion on project and program management techniques, and how these factors contributed to the establishment and evolution of modern. History of nevadamodern nevada 19121945 wikibooks, open. The turbulent, thrilling saga of the building of hoover dam. Hoover dam was an audacious and courageous undertaking. The history and construction of americas most famous engineering project chronicles the construction of americas most famous dam. Sample research paper on hoover dam essay writing help. Hoover dam as the centerpiece of water development is a great foundation for this discussion.
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