12 Fascinating Photos of Hoover Dam Being Built
Carly Tennes
Published
01/19/2025
in
wow
Heralded as a bastion of American engineering ingenuity, the Hoover Dam wasn't always powering three separate states. In 1931, construction began on the now iconic structure, a project defined by large equipment, gravity-defying techniques, and hard workers.
From the Black Canyon in its original form to workers braving 500-foot heights to get the job done, here are 12 fascinating photos of the Hoover Dam being built.
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1. History in the Making
Image in Public DomainThe site of the Hoover Dam as depicted in 1904, roughly a quarter century before construction began on the project. -
2. High-Flying Workers
Image in Public Domain"Apache Indians employed as high-scalers on the construction of Hoover Dam,” the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration wrote of this 1932 snap. -
3. Rock On
Image in Public Domain"Two and one-half cubic yard dragline excavator working in middle channel of foundation excavation. Photo shows type of rock structure disclosed in upstream end of the deeper channel of the foundation excavation." -
4. Engineering Success
Image in Public DomainEngineer Walker Young poses for a construction-site photo with the Hoover Dam’s superintendent, Frank Crowe, 1935. -
5. Drilling Down
Image in Public DomainWorkers building the Hoover Dam stand 500 feet above the Colorado River as they drill into the Black Canyon’s layers of rock, 1932. -
6. Hard at Work
Image in Public DomainWorkers pose with their drilling equipment during the construction of the Hoover Dam, 1932. -
7. Work in Progress
Image in Public DomainThe Hoover Dam as seen in February 1934. -
8. Drilling Jumbo
Image in Public Domain"Drilling jumbo used in upper 36 feet of 41-foot diameter upper penstock header. This view shows the drilling face." -
9. Pouring One Out
Image in Public Domain"Pouring invert concrete in diversion tunnel No. 3.” -
10. The Inlet Portal
Image in Public Domain"Sidewall tunnel forms being utilized in forming bulkhead gate structure at inlet portal of Diversion Tunnel No. 1." -
11. Big Equipment Energy
Image in Public Domain“Erecting movable tower for 20-ton cableway to operate over Hoover Damsite. Note inclined rail on canyon side of structure which is designed to carry thrust." -
12. Working Hard
Image in Public DomainWorkers pose for a photo on a “Jumbo Rig,” which aided in drilling the structure’s tunnels.
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- 12 Fascinating Photos of Hoover Dam Being Built
History in the Making
The site of the Hoover Dam as depicted in 1904, roughly a quarter century before construction began on the project.
The site of the Hoover Dam as depicted in 1904, roughly a quarter century before construction began on the project.
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