12 Incredible Photos of the Hoover Dam’s Construction

Building a monumental feat like Hoover Dam is no easy task, but these 12 photos make it look like pure magic. Capturing the grit, determination, and sheer engineering brilliance of the dam’s construction, these images show workers at their finest—scaling cliffs, toiling under extreme conditions, and creating one of the world’s most iconic structures.

1. History in the Making

The site of the Hoover Dam as depicted in 1904, roughly a quarter century before construction began on the project.

2. High-Flying Workers

“Apache Indians employed as high-scalers on the construction of Hoover Dam,” the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration wrote of this 1932 snap.

3. Rock On

“Two and one-half cubic yard dragline excavator working in middle channel of foundation excavation. Photo shows type of rock structure disclosed in upstream end of the deeper channel of the foundation excavation.”

4. Engineering Success

Engineer Walker Young poses for a construction-site photo with the Hoover Dam’s superintendent, Frank Crowe, 1935.

5. Drilling Down

Workers building the Hoover Dam stand 500 feet above the Colorado River as they drill into the Black Canyon’s layers of rock, 1932.

6. Hard at Work

Workers pose with their drilling equipment during the construction of the Hoover Dam, 1932.

7. Work in Progress

The Hoover Dam as seen in February 1934.

8. Drilling Jumbo

“Drilling jumbo used in upper 36 feet of 41-foot diameter upper penstock header. This view shows the drilling face.”

9. Pouring One Out

“Pouring invert concrete in diversion tunnel No. 3.”

10. The Inlet Portal

“Sidewall tunnel forms being utilized in forming bulkhead gate structure at inlet portal of Diversion Tunnel No. 1.”

11. Big Equipment Energy

“Erecting movable tower for 20-ton cableway to operate over Hoover Damsite. Note inclined rail on canyon side of structure which is designed to carry thrust.”

12. Working Hard

Workers pose for a photo on a “Jumbo Rig,” which aided in drilling the structure’s tunnels.

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