High Scaler Dam Worker Statue – Hoover Dam, Nevada
The construction of Hoover Dam, one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century, took place between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression. Built on the Colorado River at the border of Nevada and Arizona, the dam was designed to provide flood control, irrigation water, and hydroelectric power for the growing southwestern United States. The U.S. government awarded the contract to Six Companies, Inc., a consortium of major construction firms. Thousands of workers flocked to the region in search of jobs, enduring the extreme desert climate. To divert the river, massive tunnels were blasted through the canyon walls, and workers poured more than 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete to form the dam. Despite tight deadlines, dangerous conditions, and engineering challenges, the project was completed two years ahead of schedule and formally dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 30, 1935.
Conditions for workers were harsh, with temperatures often exceeding 120°F (49°C) in the summer, leading to heatstroke and exhaustion. Many laborers lived in primitive camps or in Boulder City, a government-planned town built to house workers. Safety measures were limited, and accidents were common—over 100 workers officially died due to falls, rockslides, and heat-related illnesses, though some estimates suggest the number was higher. Additionally, “powder monkeys” who handled explosives and “high scalers” who dangled from cliffs to remove loose rock faced extreme danger daily. Despite the difficulties, the project provided steady employment during the Depression and became a symbol of American resilience and industrial power. Today, Hoover Dam remains an essential source of water and electricity for millions in the Southwest.