History of the dam - why build the dam at all?; How was it built?; Original tours; World War 2; View Master Mystery; Changing name from Hoover to Boulder and back again

Welcome to View Master Travels, where we explore locations from vintage View-Master reels and uncover fascinating history. In this episode, we take you to one of the engineering wonders of the world, Hoover Dam. Join us as we delve into the story behind this iconic structure and the View-Master reels that captured its beauty.

Hoover Dam, located on the Colorado River near Boulder City, is a remarkable feat of engineering. Constructed during the Great Depression, it was the largest US government construction project at the time. Thousands of curious tourists flocked to witness this modern wonder, making it a perfect subject for early View-Master reels.

We'll be examining pictures from several reels, including reel #4 "Scenic Auto Tour," reel #8 "Power House Tour," and reel #11 "Boulder Dam." You'll also discover why the dam has two names and unravel a mystery surrounding one of the vintage pictures.

As we journey to Hoover Dam, we'll explore the surrounding areas, such as Boulder City and Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the US. You'll be amazed to see how little has changed since those pictures were taken in 1946.

We'll take you through the history of the dam's construction, starting from the initial design work in the 1920s to the massive undertaking that brought it to life. From the excavation of tunnels to the molding and pouring of concrete blocks, you'll gain insight into the incredible efforts required to build this monumental structure.

During the tour, we'll visit various points of interest, including the Intake Towers, Elevator Tower, Nevada Wing of Powerhouse, and the Arizona Spillway.

Each location offers a glimpse into the impressive architecture and functional aspects of the dam.

As we explore these vintage images, a mystery arises when we encounter a picture of the spillways in use, contradicting the belief that they were only operated in the 1980s due to snow-melt. We delve into historical reports to uncover the truth and propose a fascinating theory about the promotional nature of the spillway picture.

Our journey concludes with an explanation of the dam's name. Initially known as Hoover Dam, it was later referred to as Boulder Dam during a change in political leadership. Congress eventually restored the name Hoover Dam, cementing its place in history.

Join us on this captivating adventure through time and discover the enduring allure of Hoover Dam. Subscribe to our channel for more engaging travels through the lens of vintage View-Master reels.

Image Credits:

Many pictures were from the UNLV Special Collection

Sound Effects:

Silence in the desert: https://freesound.org/s/23143/
Car park: https://freesound.org/s/482290/
Old bus engine: https://freesound.org/s/144007/
Car passing: https://freesound.org/s/503551/
Lake: https://freesound.org/s/86624/
Muffled car conversation: https://freesound.org/s/594625/
Turbines: https://freesound.org/s/514214/
Murmurs: https://freesound.org/s/260121/
Static buzz: https://freesound.org/s/122811/
Queuing in Iceland: https://freesound.org/s/107655/
Light desert day: https://freesound.org/s/454361/
Roaring waterfall: https://freesound.org/s/379905/