Hoover DAM!

By Kirby Nguyen

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam

• Construction of the Dam began in April of 1931 and was completed 1936.

• It is located on the border of Arizona and Nevada, being originally called Boulder Dam, due to its location near Boulder City, Nevada.

• It is in the Art Deco style.

Gordon Kaufmann

• Gordon Bernie Kaufmann was born in London, England on March 19th, 1888.

• He moved to the states in 1914, making a name for himself as an architect working under the Mediterranean Revival Style.

• Some of his most famous buildings are the Greystone Mansion, Los Angeles Time Building, Hollywood Palladium and the Hoover Dam.

• Kaufmann wanted to create a visual scheme that would complement the engineer’s design when building the Hoover Dam. He worked in the Art Deco style.

• He died March 1st, 1949.

Environment

• Before the Hoover Dam was built, the Colorado River Delta had been experiencing natural flooding for some time.

• The Dam caused a decline in the estuarine ecosystem in the river.

• The construction of the Dam helped to eliminate all flooding to the river, but also decimated fish populations, causing several to become endangered.

Impact

• Due to the recent Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression, there was a massive migration of unemployed men from all over the nation to Las Vegas with hopes of employment in constructing the Hoover Dam. Many came with their families and belongings hoping for a job.

• The labor force for construction was in the thousands, but the casualties and deaths exceeded a hundred.

Importance

• The Hoover Dam served to offer jobs for people, but the people that came seeking employment often brought their families and possessions.

• The families would have to live in tents near the construction sight, and jobs weren’t even guaranteed.

• Because of the new residents, “Ragtown” was formed. There were thousands of residents, living in cardboard boxes, scraps and anything else that was available for use.