The Myth of Hoover Dam’s Name: Why It’s Only Ever Been Named Hoover Dam

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VEGAS MYTHS RE-BUSTED: The True Name of Hoover Dam

Welcome to another exciting entry in our “Vegas Myths Busted” series! Today, we delve into the intriguing history of Hoover Dam and its official name. Many are surprised to learn that while it has often been mistakenly referred to as Boulder Dam, it has always held the proud title of Hoover Dam.

Construction of Hoover Dam

The Controversial Naming of Hoover Dam

On September 30, 1930, as construction commenced at Black Canyon, Secretary of the Interior Ray Lyman Wilbur proclaimed it to be called Hoover Dam, in honor of the 31st president of the United States. An act of Congress ratified this name on February 14, 1931, well before its official opening.

Despite the official designation, the project was often inaccurately dubbed the Boulder Canyon Project, referencing an earlier proposed site upstream. This discrepancy is acknowledged by the US Bureau of Reclamation, the agency responsible for overseeing the construction of this marvel.

President Herbert Hoover

A Shift in Name Amid Political Rivalry

After Hoover lost the presidency to Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1933, the fate of the dam’s name took another twist. Following the shift in power, new Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes announced that it should be called Boulder Dam. This misnaming persisted during Roosevelt’s dedication of the dam in 1935, where a sign erroneously proclaimed it as Boulder Dam.

“The name Boulder Dam is a fine, rugged, and individual name,” claimed Ickes at the time. However, this statement overlooked Hoover’s crucial role in the dam’s inception, dating back to his tenure as Secretary of Commerce.

FDR dedicating Hoover Dam

The Reality of Naming Rights

The political rivalry between Hoover and FDR heightened this naming dispute. Roosevelt often disregarded Hoover in various respects, including the discourse surrounding the dam. During their tumultuous transition period amidst the Great Depression, cooperation was nonexistent.

Hoover and Roosevelt

A Return to the Original Name

Despite persistent confusion about the dam’s name, it was not until 1947 that Congress officially reaffirmed its original designation. In a rare legislative act, House Resolution 140 clarified Hoover’s contributions and the official name of the project, reaffirming that Hoover Dam had never been officially un-named.

The resolution emphasized the importance of recognizing Herbert Hoover’s efforts in the creation and funding of the dam, conclusively solidifying the name Hoover Dam in public consciousness once again.

Interesting Facts About Hoover Dam

  • Location: Situated on the border between Nevada and Arizona.
  • Construction Time: Took about 5 years to complete from 1931 to 1936.
  • Height: Stands at a towering 726 feet (221 meters).
  • Lake Mead: The dam created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States.
  • Visitors: Attracts over a million tourists annually.

Conclusion

The story of Hoover Dam underscores the intertwining of politics and infrastructure. From its controversial naming to becoming a symbol of American engineering prowess, Hoover Dam continues to fascinate and inspire.

Join us every Monday for new myths to be busted in Las Vegas, and visit Grand Rush Online for more captivating insights!

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