Emery Landing

This is a downstream view of Emery Landing at foot of Eldorado Wash. Murl Emery was a concessioner who played an role in developing recreation in the park; building ferries, boat rentals and fishing camps.

Photographer: George Grant
Date: June 11, 1945

LAKE 12116

Small dock on a lake with two boats tied up to it.

Aerial Ferry Sign

Ferries such as this one near Searchlight, NV transported vehicles and people, along with stock across the Colorado River before Davis Dam was built. This sign is on the Arizona side of the river.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: Feb. 21, 1938

LAKE 1286

Sign with description of ferry pricing.

Ranger's Residence

Rangers not only worked in the park, but many of them lived with their families in the park as well. It is hard to imagine anything better than waking up everyday in a beautiful spot like Katherine Landing.

Photographer: Glenn Haynes
Date: April 21, 1952

LAKE 12877

Small structure with sloped roofing and windows.

Aerial Ferry

Concessioner Murl Emery played an important role in Lake Mead tourism and recreation. He provided many services such as ferrying supplies across the river. The cables seen here are for an aerial ferry near Searchlight that stretched across the Colorado River from Nevada to Arizona.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: February 1938

LAKE 1291

Ferry suspended in the air above a river with several cables.

Katherine Landing Ranger Station

The Katherine Gold Mine was discovered in 1900 and operated intermittently until 1930. The mine and the later, the surrounding area, was named for the sister of one of the discoverers. Katherine Landing district rangers worked out of this station.

Photographer: Welles
Date: Aug. 4, 1956

LAKE 2177

Two small building with door, windows, and a trash can in that reads Please.

Cottonwood Cove

The sandy beaches and secluded coves that were only accessible by boat at Cottonwood Cove made it popular place to launch boats for visitors.

Photographer: O.W. Wallis
Date: 1956

LAKE 3187

Man in truck with camper shell launches boat, rolling desert hills in background.

Picnic Group

A family of four enjoys a roadside picnic on a blanket in the Newberry Mountains in Nevada. The Newberry Mountains are located in the southwest portion of the park.

Photographer: O.W. Wallis
Date: April 17, 1955

LAKE 4022

Four people picnicking on a blanket in foreground with small mountain and several cars in the background.

Emery's Landing

Murl Emery provided many services such as renting boats, ferrying supplies, and providing guide services to tourists and locals. He also operated a fishing business here at Emery's Landing in Eldorado Canyon.

Photographer: Maurice Sullivan
Date: Nov. 24, 1950

LAKE 4509

Two level boat dock lower left on river with many boats, rolling desert hills and mountains in distance.

Boat House at Katherine

Completed in 1953, Davis Dam created Lake Mohave. The new lake became an ideal weekend destination for visitors from California and Arizona, and facilities such as this boat house at Katherine Landing were built to accommodate the growing need for facilities

Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: February 1954

LAKE 4589

View taken from a dock leading to stairs up to a building where several people are standing.

Nelson's Landing

Nelson's Landing at Eldorado Canyon was a popular destination located between Willow Beach and Cottonwood Cove.

Photographer: George F. Baggley
Date: April 1951

LAKE 4655

Many cars parked along a road at left, leading to a lake, two camping trailers in the foreground.

Seining Operations

Two visitors seine for bait fish below Davis Dam.

Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: July 31, 1950

LAKE 4757

Two men in water using a fishing net, dam under construction in distance.

Capturing Carp

A visitor holds up a carp she collected during the complete stoppage of the Colorado River while the Davis Dam was under construction.

Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: July 31, 1950

LAKE 4758

A smiling woman holds a fish with one hand, dam under construction behind.

Willow Beach Commercial Services

Though farther away from town than destinations such as Boulder Beach, the sandy beaches and sheltered coves along with great fishing make Willow Beach a popular area in the park. A number of commercial services were available as well.

Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: March 18, 1954

LAKE 4772

Camping trailers, vans, and small structures near a dirt road leading to a lake with a mountain surrounding it.

Willow Beach Commercial Services

Located on the Arizona side of the Colorado River below Hoover Dam, Willow Beach was a great destination for boaters, anglers and families. There was a variety of commercial services available from these facilities.

Photographer: Russell K. Grater, George Baggley, O.W. Wallis
Date: March 18, 1954

LAKE 4773

Small dock on a lake with a structure and two cars nearby along a dirt road in the foreground.

Boat Dock

Concessioners worked hand-in-hand with the National Park Service to construct facilities such as this boat dock at Eldorado Canyon to enhance the visitors' experience.

Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: March 1954

LAKE 4871

17 boats tied to boat dock with a building, the dock is in middle of a small cove.

Residences

These residences (upper row) and cabins (lower row) were constructed for guests at Eldorado Canyon.

Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: March 1954

LAKE 4886

Small cabins and a few cars lined up in front of the bottom of a small cliff.

Tent Cabin

Concessioners built amenities such as this tent cabin at Eldorado Canyon to rent to visitors interested in "roughing it" a bit while visiting the park.

Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: July 1951

LAKE 5133

Angled view of small cabin with screen covered windows and a canvas roof.

Overnight Cabin #3

Cabins such as this "Cabin #3" were available for rent in Eldorado Canyon.

Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: July 1951

LAKE 5138

Wooden building constructed of horizonal slats.

Tent Cabin

As the park became more popular, campgrounds and facilities became congested. Visitors began looking for less crowded places to enjoy camping like this tent cabin at Searchlight Ferry.

Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: July 1951

LAKE 5144

Cabin with a tent roof, wood bed frame outside to right.

Store at Searchlight Ferry

In remote areas of the park like Searchlight Ferry, stores such as this provided an opportunity to pick up supplies and chat with other visitors.

Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: July 1951

LAKE 5147

Wooden building to wood framed beds outside to the right, car in distance to the left.

Removing Petroglyphs

Murl Emery and Maurice Sullivan work to remove and protect petroglyphs 2.5 miles down river from Eldorado Canyon before the rising water of Lake Mohave covers them.

Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: Feb. 6, 1951

LAKE 5228

Two men kneeling down with their hands on a large rock with petroglyphs.

Examining Petroglyphs

Maurice Sullivan examines a petroglyph to be removed before the rising water of Lake Mohave (seen in the distance) covers it.

Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: Feb. 2, 1951

LAKE 5229

Man kneeling down to examine a rock with petroglyphs.

Ringbolt at Roaring Rapids

Murl Emery examines a ring bolt at Roaring Rapids above Eldorado Canyon. Ring bolts were driven into the walls of the canyon to allow vessels to affix a line to them and pull themselves up through a set of rapids by means of a capstan.

Photographer: Maurice Sullivan
Date: Dec. 22, 1950

LAKE 5242

Man kneeling down holds anchored historic ringbolt.

Moving Petroglyphs

Murl Emery (L) and Maurice Sullivan move a petroglyph onto a boat to prevent its loss to the rise of Lake Mohave.

Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: Feb. 16, 1951

LAKE 5270

A man standing with hands on hips looking down towards another man with hands on a large rock with petroglyphs.

Eldorado Cafe

A memorable part of a visit to the park might include a stop at Eldorado Café for a meal or refreshments.

Photographer: C. T. Howell
Date: Nov. 26, 1952

LAKE 5559

Small building with two cars parked in front.

Eldorado Canyon Residences

These residences (upper row) and cabins (lower row) were constructed for guests at Eldorado Canyon.

Photographer: Chan T. Howell
Date: Nov. 26, 1952

LAKE 5560

Small cabins lined up in front of a cliff.

Guest Units

After the construction of Davis Dam and the creation of Lake Mohave, concessioners began to build amenities such as these guest units for visitors at Katherine Landing. Due to its sandy beaches and secluded coves, this area of the park became a favorite for many park visitors.

Photographer: George F. Baggley
Date: Jan. 11, 1953

LAKE 5613

Single story brick building under construction in desert surroundings.

Dock Store

Below Hoover Dam, the steep walls of Black Canyon provided a sheltered area to fish, camp or boat. The canyon walls kept many of the coves shaded and cool during the summer as well. This dock and store at Willow Beach provided a launch site and a place to get supplies for boaters.

Photographer: Chan Howell
Date: July 30, 1953

LAKE 5756

Dock on shore has small building with sign that reads No Fishing.

Motel Room

For visitors not interested in camping, motel rooms, such as this one at Katherine Landing made a comfortable alternative.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: March 1960

LAKE 5989

Interior of room with two beds, two chairs, and a desk with a chair.

Store Interior

After the construction of Davis Dam, the resulting Lake Mohave quickly became a popular destination in the park. Stores such as this one at Cottonwood Cove provided opportunities for visitors to stop and purchase supplies and refreshments.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: 1960

LAKE 6136

Interior of store counter with stool, lined up water skis at right.

Willow Beach Fish Hatchery

Fishing has always been a favorite activity on the lakes and it quickly became evident to the park service that fish populations would need to be managed in order to keep up with the high volume of fishing. In 1959, the Willow Beach Fish Hatchery was established and dedicated in 1962. The cold water downstream from the dam was ideal for raising rainbow trout.

Photographer: Ted Whitmoyer
Date: 1962

LAKE 6327

Lake with one boat on it next to a fish hatchery up against a mountain.

Steam Powered Tractor

In the late 1700s, Spaniards searched for gold along the Colorado River. They named their camp "Eldorado" in honor of their quest for the legendary city of gold. This steam powered tractor was used in later mining operations in Eldorado Canyon.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: May 1937

LAKE 641

Two men stand beside a large steam powered tractor.

Grave Marker

A grave marker in Eldorado Canyon appears to read, "RF Andrews died August 20, 1881, Age ** Years, A Native of C*** Indiana."

Photographer: Unknown
Date: May 1937

LAKE 643

Deteriorated wooden grave marker.

Katherine Beach

The sandy beaches of Katherine Landing were a big attraction. It was also a place to launch a boat to access other beaches and coves on Lake Mohave. It was a favorite destination for visitors from California and Arizona.

Photographer: George Grant
Date: Nov. 30, 1953

LAKE 8549

Parked cars behind a structure with stairs that leads down to a dock on a lake with boats in the water.

Sign at Cottonwood Cove

Mission 66 was a 10-year program to provide funding for much need maintenance and visitor facility upgrades throughout the National Park Service. This sign was located at the entrance to the Cottonwood Cove campground under construction in the background.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: May 1959

LAKE CC74

Campground development sign with trucks in background.

Construction at Katherine

Katherine Landing quickly became a popular place to camp and boat after the creation of Lake Mohave. Here workers cut swing posts to use as campground barriers.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: 1958

LAKE K42

Two men work together with hand saw to cut large wooden beam, cut beams stacked in background.

Campground Willow Beach

The setting for the campground at Willow Beach was very scenic as can be appreciated in this panoramic photo.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: August 1963

LAKE WB73abc

Combination of three photos to create a panoramic of a campground next to water.

Colorado River at Eldorado Canyon

Colorado River at Eldorado Canyon.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: May 1937

LAKE 639

Parked car parked near bushes at waters edge, rolling desert hills in distance.

Auto caravan at Willow Beach

Auto caravan at Willow Beach.

Photographer: Good - Wallis
Date: April 3, 1955

LAKE 4009

Dirt road at angle divides desert landscape, row of cars to right, crowd of people to left.

Fire Mountain

Fire Mountain in Eldorado Canyon showing area prior to the rise of Lake Mohave.

Photographer: M. Sullivan
Date: 1950

LAKE 4508

Narrow section of river in lower foreground, mountain range behind.

Cottonwood Cove Development

Aerial view of Cottonwood Cove development on Lake Mohave.

Photographer: Schaack with companions Keefe, Richey and Westcott
Date: September 1958

LAKE 5997

Aerial view of river with marina in large cove, roads and developed area above.

Colorado River Developments

Private developments along Colorado River below Davis Dam, at extreme southern end of Recreation Area.

Photographer: Schaack with companions Richey, Keefe and Westcott (pilot)
Date: September 1958

LAKE 6052

Aerial view of river at right, dense foliage at lower left, desert upper left.

Panorama at Lake Mohave

Panorama at Lake Mohave.

Photographer: Grant
Date: November 30, 1953

LAKE 8544

Desert area with wide paved oval near center.

Construction of Irrigation Ditches

Construction of irrigation ditches. Campground extension at Boulder Beach.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: December 1958

LAKE boulder_beach_ditches

Man digs trench with back hoe, another man smooths trench with rake, lake and mountains in distance.

Trenching for Waterline

Trenching for 6" C,I, waterline at Cottonwood Cove.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: January 1960

LAKE cc103

Man operating a trenching machine between rock formations as another man watches.

Construction at Template Bar

Construction of irrigation ditches, campground extension.

Photographer: Unknown
Date: December 1958

LAKE tb15

Elevated view of construction of round sand filled foundation, pickup truck at center right.
Small dock on a lake with two boats tied up to it.
Sign with description of ferry pricing.
Small structure with sloped roofing and windows.
Ferry suspended in the air above a river with several cables.
Two small building with door, windows, and a trash can in that reads Please.
Man in truck with camper shell launches boat, rolling desert hills in background.
Four people picnicking on a blanket in foreground with small mountain and several cars in the background.
Two level boat dock lower left on river with many boats, rolling desert hills and mountains in distance.
View taken from a dock leading to stairs up to a building where several people are standing.
Many cars parked along a road at left, leading to a lake, two camping trailers in the foreground.
Two men in water using a fishing net, dam under construction in distance.
A smiling woman holds a fish with one hand, dam under construction behind.
Camping trailers, vans, and small structures near a dirt road leading to a lake with a mountain surrounding it.
Small dock on a lake with a structure and two cars nearby along a dirt road in the foreground.
17 boats tied to boat dock with a building, the dock is in middle of a small cove.
Small cabins and a few cars lined up in front of the bottom of a small cliff.
Angled view of small cabin with screen covered windows and a canvas roof.
Wooden building constructed of horizonal slats.
Cabin with a tent roof, wood bed frame outside to right.
Wooden building to wood framed beds outside to the right, car in distance to the left.
Two men kneeling down with their hands on a large rock with petroglyphs.
Man kneeling down to examine a rock with petroglyphs.
Man kneeling down holds anchored historic ringbolt.
A man standing with hands on hips looking down towards another man with hands on a large rock with petroglyphs.
Small building with two cars parked in front.
Small cabins lined up in front of a cliff.
Single story brick building under construction in desert surroundings.
Dock on shore has small building with sign that reads No Fishing.
Interior of room with two beds, two chairs, and a desk with a chair.
Interior of store counter with stool, lined up water skis at right.
Lake with one boat on it next to a fish hatchery up against a mountain.
Two men stand beside a large steam powered tractor.
Deteriorated wooden grave marker.
Parked cars behind a structure with stairs that leads down to a dock on a lake with boats in the water.
Campground development sign with trucks in background.
Two men work together with hand saw to cut large wooden beam, cut beams stacked in background.
Combination of three photos to create a panoramic of a campground next to water.
Parked car parked near bushes at waters edge, rolling desert hills in distance.
Dirt road at angle divides desert landscape, row of cars to right, crowd of people to left.
Narrow section of river in lower foreground, mountain range behind.
Aerial view of river with marina in large cove, roads and developed area above.
Aerial view of river at right, dense foliage at lower left, desert upper left.
Desert area with wide paved oval near center.
Man digs trench with back hoe, another man smooths trench with rake, lake and mountains in distance.
Man operating a trenching machine between rock formations as another man watches.
Elevated view of construction of round sand filled foundation, pickup truck at center right.