Boulder City: The Town that Built the Hoover Dam

by Paul W. Papa

In the depths of the Great Depression, the United States undertook a task so monumental it demanded nearly five thousand people to complete. The Hoover Dam stands as a modern marvel, a testament to America's ingenuity. However, few know the story of the town that built the dam. To house the workers, Secretary of Interior Ray L. Wilbur envisioned a model of city planning, giving birth to Boulder City. Wilbur intended for the city to be temporary, to disappear once the dam was complete, but it didn't work out that way. Local author Paul W. Papa offers a unique look at a town that may have been forged by a dam but took on a life of its own.

192 pages, Paperback

Published June 12, 2017

About the author

Paul W. Papa is an award-winning, full-time writer and ghost writer who has lived in Las Vegas for more than thirty years. He developed a fascination with the area, and all its wonders, while working for nearly fifteen years at several Las Vegas casinos. In his role as a security officer, Paul was the person who actually shut and locked the doors of the Sands Hotel and Casino for the final time. He eventually became a hotel investigator for a major Strip casino, during which time he developed a love for writing stories about uncommon events. When not at his keyboard, Paul can be found talking to tourists on Fremont Street, investigating some old building, or sitting in a local diner hunting down his next story.

Reviews

[Autumn Kearney]

Boulder City: The Town That Built the Hoover Damn is a remarkable book about a remarkable town. I used to attend a class there during the winter semester. The building that it took place in had old photographs of the dam builders and their families hanging on the walls. We must never forget the injuries, deaths, and insanity from the heat that these fine people suffered. God bless all of them.

[Dr NSCA-CPT]

Great book. The author, Paul W. Papa, did an outstanding job.
Boulder City: The Town that Built the Hoover Dam is a great read. It is well-researched, well-written and extremely informative. I enjoyed it a great deal and learned a tremendous amount.
I highly recommend this book for everyone who is interested in United States History, Nevada History and Las Vegas History.

[Nancy Kennedy]

This is a fascinating story for anyone who has or will spend time around Boulder Dam. This little community has a storied past and a bright future!