Hoover dam tours are offered daily and tickets are purchased on site. Hoover dam stands as one of the greatest engineering feats in the united states. Hoover dam was a monumental accomplishment for its era which set new standards for postconstruction performance evaluations. Filled with photographs and colorful illustrations, this informative book tells the story of the hoover dam and how it became a modern wonder of the world. The text, supplemented by about 200 photos, tells about the engineers, the surveyors.
It received the western writers of america spur award, the john h. In boulder city, take a left at the second stoplight in town there are only two of them. Bureau of reclamation, is a concrete archgravity dam in the black canyon of the colorado river that impounds lake mead, the largest reservoir in. The hoover dam changed americaand it might do it again.
Wonders of the world series the winner of numerous awards, this series is renowned for elizabeth manns ability to convey adventure and excitement while revealing technical information in. Hoover dam hoover dam hoover dam hoover dam hoover dam hoover dam hoover dam. Hoover dam is the highest and 3rd largest concrete dam in the us, built and owned by the bureau of reclamation. A construction worker found him, when hardly weaned, and put.
Then in america today it is a national symbol of achievement of the idea of working hard and giving it your all the american way. The hoover dam and its importance charlotte kruses blog. This book is an award winning nonfiction book written for young readers, but perfect for adults who want to learn a little about the hoover dam. Dec 12, 2009 arc identifier 37058 local identifier 115. Reclamation based many of their decisions on surveys of previous high dams to compare their physical, geologic, and hydrologic features with those proposed at hoover dam. At over 700 feet tall, hoover dam is a nevada spectacle and visitors can easily road trip from las vegas to hoover dam. This book is for readers with an interest in the background, design, and construction of this first ofitskind concrete dam. It was one of the most ambitious projects of the early 20th century, requiring millions of cubic feet of concrete and tens of.
It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the great depression and was dedicated on september 30, 1935, by president franklin d. It took less than 5 years, in a harsh and barren land, to build the largest dam of its time. University of oklahoma press, 1988 lake mead and hoover dam, the story behind the scenery by james c. While the information in the book was extremely accurate, it seemed a bit long for this style of a picture book. Colossus is not really a thesisdriven book, and not really about the. This story has persisted and over the years has added to the mystique of hoover dam. A history perspectives book kelly milner halls download bok. National archives and records administration arc identifier 37058 local identifier 115. The hoover dam is one of the crown jewels of american infrastructure. The project was started in 1932 during the hoover era and finished may 29, 1935 during the roosevelt era. Hoover dam visitor center is open every day of the year except for thanksgiving and christmas. Sometimes, information presented simply, and with pictures, just gives the basic background about a topic that is needed.
Counting only dams taller than fifty feet high, the u. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over one. In between was costly preparatory work and important political developments. Their combined length was nearly 16,000 feet more than three miles. I first visited hoover dam when i was only 6 years old, and have since toured the dam on many occasions as an adult. The base of the dam is 660 feet thick, and it took 91. The story of hoover dam film this website, provided by the national archives and records administration, features a 1981 film that combines three short films dating from earlier periods.
Visit at night for an awesome view of the hoover dam lit. From las vegas, take us highway 93 south and continue about 20 miles to boulder city. The text offers opportunities to compare and contrast various perspectives in the text while gathering and analyzing. Cafepress brings your passions to life with the perfect item for every occasion. Wonders of the world series the winner of numerous awards, this series is renowned for elizabeth manns ability to convey adventure and excitement while revealing technical information in engaging and easily understood language.
The hoover dam and its construction essay 4053 words 17 pages. Informational nonfiction, 527 words, level m grade 2, lexile 580l multilevel book also available in levels v and z1. As breathtaking today as the day it was completed, hoover dam not only sh. Hoover dam and lake mead are located in the black canyon of the. It would stay boulder dam until 1947, when congress changed the name back to hoover dam. Human beings have lived along or near the colorado river for thousands of years. Hoover dam informational nonfiction, 527 words, level m grade 2, lexile 580l multilevel book also available in levels v and z1 it helped transform the american southwest, allowing water from the colorado river to be used throughout the desert landscape. The dam is 602 feet tall and 883 feet thick at its base. Now, in an engrossing, fastpaced narrative, joseph e. A history perspectives book and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Roosevelt was present and most of the work on the dam with the exception of the powerhouse was completed at the time.
Mar 21, 2018 hoover dam rises 726 feet and is 1200 feet wide at its crest. Hoover dam is located approximately 30 miles southeast of las vegas, on the nevadaarizona border. Visit at night for an awesome view of the hoover dam lit up. The story goes like thisa dog of unknown origins was born, with black fur and big paws. As an introduction to our hoover dam unit, i opted to focus, instead, on the absolutely stunning illustrations and allow my students to write their own words. Hoover dam rises 726 feet and is 1200 feet wide at its crest. Located on the arizonanevada boarder, it holds back lake mead on the colorado river in black canyon. The hoover dam happens to be right off of the major highway that takes you there, so of course, knowing that we leave no tourist spot unexplored, we had to stop and take the kids. At that time the name of the dam had switched from hoover to boulder dam. The narrative provides multiple accounts of the event, and readers learn details through the point of view of a colorado river explorer, a dam worker, and a dam workers daughter.
Second, the book is a tribute to the many people who died and suffered so hoover dam could be built. When the hoover dam was finished in 1935, it was three times larger. This book relays the factual details of the story of the hoover dam, which was built in the 1930s. Hoover dam as the centerpiece of water development is a great foundation for this discussion. Mostly this book was about the idea of a great american idea in the 1930s to build a colossus dam and to help the people get back to work because of the great depression. Hoover dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the great depression and was dedicated on september 30, 1935, by president franklin d. We had just visited the hoover dam and it was fascinating. Shasta dam is one of the largest dams in the united states. Come check out our giant selection of tshirts, mugs, tote bags, stickers and more.
Jul 27, 2018 but the hoover dam s story is far from over. Essay on the construction of the hoover dam 47 words. Hoover dam inside and out your photo gallery to hoover dam. The story of hard times, tough people and the taming of a wild river wonders of the world book mann, elizabeth, witschonke, alan on. At the time of its construction, which began in 1930 and was completed in 1935, the hoover dam was the largest electricpower generating site and largest concrete structure in the world.
The narrative provides multiple accounts of the event, and. Later in the unit, i made the book available to my students and many found it to be a wonderful reference tool. Foreword beside the statue of liberty and golden gate bridge, united state of america has another structure which show the face of the usa industrial power in early 20th century. First, the development of the american west, with emphasis on the southwest and southern california.
Hoover dam continues to supply water and power to the southwest and is a major tourist attraction. The story of hard times, tough people and the taming of a wild river wonders of the world book elizabeth mann, alan witschonke on. The evidence for this is the hundreds of habitation sites found throughout the las vegas, lake mead, hoover dam and lake mojave area, many of which have been dated with radiocarbon, argon, or by other measures. Lake mead national recreation area nra offers a wealth of things to do and places to go yearround.
Drawing on a wealth of material, including manuscript collections. Even if you just look at the photos, there are lots of detailed shots. To divert the colorado rivers flow around the hoover dam construction site, four 56footdiameter tunnels were driven through the walls of black canyon, two on the nevada side and two on the arizona side. Hoover dam and the making of the american century chronicles how visionaries, politicians, engineers and an army of dedicated workmen fought seemingly impossible odds to tame one wild american riverthe mighty colorado. Free returns 100% satisfaction guarantee fast shipping. Everyone is fascinated by the awesome achievement of this dam, and the story of the dog adds a human element. Travelers have flocked here for decades to see picturesque views of lake mead and the colorado river, and today, the dam receives more than 1. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 and today it provides power for various utilities in nevada, arizona, and california. Michael hiltziks history of hoover dam has an ambitious subtitle.
The dam itself attracts about 7 million visitors a year, and another 10 million visit lake mead. Hoover dam and the making of the american century by. Hoover dam by nathan shepard hoover dam is one of the largest dams in the world. The hole in reservoir hill 2018 the story of the hole, a complex built 60 storeys beneath canadian shield granite that housed the sage supercomputer, and was meant to support 400 for a month in the event of a nuclear war.
An american adventure, was published by the university of oklahoma press in 1988. Dec 24, 20 national archives and records administration arc identifier 37058 local identifier 115. Colossus is more than just the story of hoover dam. The hoover dam is one of the largest man made dams ever constructed. Located in northern california, it blocks the flow of californias biggest river, the sacramento river. He is also the author of the plot against social security, dealers of. Release dates 1 also known as aka 0 release dates usa 18 may 1981. I have been interested in the hoover dam since i first saw it in 1977 and have always kept an eye out for books and.
One of my fascinating side trips when i was researching my book was spent reading contemporary accounts from the vantage point of a nascent. From choking on gasoline fumes in 120degree heat inside the fivestoriestall diversion tunnels to dangling by slender cables from the thousandfoot walls of black canyon, they will put their lives at risk. The book is an oddly slanted history, a bit turbid and containing long dry patches. Hoover dam is in black canyon on the colorado river approximately 30 miles southeast of las vegas. Which is hard to appreciate when your eyes are closed. Hoover dam is a testimony to a countrys ability to construct monolithic projects in the midst of adverse conditions. The unexpected history of las vegas and hoover dam jfleck at.
The hoover dam, originally titled the boulder dam, is located on the colorado river in black canyon sits between two states. Hoover dam is a concrete archgravity dam in the black canyon of the colorado river, on the border between the u. Construction of the giant dam was a triumph of human ingenuity, yet the full story of this monumental endeavor has never been told. It was the highest dam in the world when it was completed in 1935. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. History, bureau of reclamation managing water and power in the west. Life and death at hoover dam tells the story of a handful of these men and the sacrifices they endured. It includes historic footage of hoover dam under construction, including the high scalers in action and the concrete being poured into the forms.
I have been interested in the hoover dam since i first saw it in 1977 and have always kept an eye out for books and videos on how it was built. Its huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen while its desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. 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. Dunning prize of the american historical association, and the w. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Lake mead is the biggest manmade lake in the united states. The story of the hoover dam paperback january 1, 1961 see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Building the hoover dam, 19311936 rare historical photos. The hoover dam originally known as boulder dam is an inspiring symbol of american engineering, built during americas great depression as the thenlargest dam construction project in the world. The books 23 sections offer a progressive history of the building of hoover dam from its birth in congress in the 20s to its dedication in 1935.
Explains the overwhelming need to control and regulate the raging waters of the colorado river. Release dates 1 also known as aka 0 release dates usa 18 may 1981 department of the interior, bureau of reclamation also known as aka it looks like we dont have any akas for this title yet. 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. In this case, the hoover dam is forcing the water against the boulder canyon. Chief engineer frank crowe directs the construction of boulder dam on the mighty colorado and fends off the threats of interfering, penurious syndicate directors and of iww agents determined to control the workers or destroy the project. Because of the dams history, vastness, and matchless design, it is one of the seven wonders of the world. The story of hard times, tough people and the taming of a wild river wonders of the world book.