Boulder City

On a recent trip to the iconic Hoover Dam, our tour took a delightful detour. We found ourselves in the quaint town of Boulder City.

A bronze statue of a frog sitting with its arms folded on a shopfront pavement. A painted sign reading Dam Town Pawn, Buy Sell, Loans, Gold, against a bright sky. The weathered marquee of the Boulder Theatre, its raised lettering above a blank signboard. A neon window sign reading Guns Gold in red above Buy Sell in green.

This town, steeped in history, was established with a singular purpose - to provide housing for the workers who were involved in the construction of the Hoover Dam.

What struck me most about Boulder City was its stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. While Las Vegas is synonymous with high-stakes gambling and vibrant nightlife, Boulder City has a completely different atmosphere. It is one of the few places in Nevada where gambling is not permitted. This prohibition is a relic from the town's early days, when it was established as a federal reservation during the construction of the Hoover Dam.

Photoset