Boat Landing and Beach
The Boulder City boat landing and beach was popular due to its proximity to town. This aerial view provides a view of the facilities available.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: March, 1936
LAKE 1003
National Park Service Barge
A National Park Service barge is being launched at Boulder City boat landing. Business quickly saw the potential for recreation on the new lake and offered a variety of tours. Emery's "Red Boats" and "Cashman's Scenic Cruises" were both popular attractions.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: April, 1936
LAKE 1004
Emery Landing
Concessioner Murl Emery played an important role in developing Lake Mead tourism and recreation. This is a downstream view of Emery Landing at the foot of Eldorado Wash.
Photographer: George Grant
Date: June 11, 1945
LAKE 12116
Capt. Ray Poyser's Residence
Captain Ray Poyser's residence sits on the side of a curving road at Boulder Beach near the yacht harbor. Boulder Beach gets its name from the granite boulders in the area.
Photographer: George Grant
Date: June 8, 1945
LAKE 12133
Hualpai Lodge/Lake Mead Lodge
The Lake Mead Lodge, first known as the Hualapai Lodge, not only provided a place to stay inside the park, but also offered scenic airplane rides, boat tours and limousine tours throughout the park.
Photographer: George Grant
Date: June 9, 1945
LAKE 12141
Ranger's Residence
Due to the large size of the park, residences were constructed for rangers and their families to live. This residence is located at Las Vegas Wash.
Photographer: Glen Haynes
Date: April 19, 1952
LAKE 12813
Ranger's Residence
Rangers not only worked in the park, but many of them lived 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
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
Airline Office
Grand Canyon Airlines provided sightseeing flights and transportation for visitors and had this operations office at Pierce Ferry, Arizona. The company is thought to be the oldest air tour company in continuous operations.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: Date Unknown
LAKE 1341
Tourist Camp
For the visitor who wanted to "rough it" a bit, Grand Canyon Airways operated this tourist camp at Pearce Ferry, Arizona.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: Date Unknown
LAKE 1344
Lake Elevation Chart
From the very beginning, the varying levels of the lake have always been a topic of conversation. This chart shows successive maximum elevations of the lake surface and is from "The Reclamation Era."
Photographer: Unknown
Date: December, 1938
LAKE 1861
Katherine 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: Unknown
Date: August 4, 1956
LAKE 2177
Las Vegas Boat Harbor
As park visitation increased, development and maintenance of boat docks and facilities such as these at Las Vegas Boat Harbor were needed to provide a better experience for visitors.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: January, 1957
LAKE 2312
Lake Mead Lodge Pool
The Lake Mead Lodge, the first hotel on Lake Mead, became a popular place to stay after WW II for locals, tourists and celebrities. The lodge provided entertainment and facilities such as this swimming pool, along with scenic views of Boulder Basin.
Photographer: Tidwell
Date: August, 1957
LAKE 2371
National Park Service Quarters
Residential quarters such as these were built in the developed areas of the park for National Park Service staff. This is a view from the rear of a residence.
Photographer: Chan Howell & Don Egermayer
Date: July 7, 1953
LAKE 250
Lakeview Point Display
The National Park Service created information kiosks to help orient visitors to the services, facilities and programs offered in the park. Here, visitors enjoy the spectacular view at Lakeview Point and learn more about the park.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: January, 1957
LAKE 2691
Boulder Beach Ranger Station
In order to improve the visitors' experience, the park built ranger stations such as this one at Boulder Beach in the developed areas.
Photographer: Welles
Date: July, 1956
LAKE 2740
Las Vegas Wash
Floats mark the boundary of the swimming area at Las Vegas Wash. The floating dive platform provided a great place for swimmers to enjoy the sun.
Photographer: Sullivan
Date: July 10, 1950
LAKE 2967
National Park Service West Checking Station
This checking station between Boulder City and Railroad Pass welcomed visitors traveling from the west to the park.
Photographer: Sullivan
Date: March, 1937
LAKE 303
Portable Dressing Rooms
In the 1930s, Boulder Beach was one of three areas within the park that offered visitor facilities such as these portable dressing rooms and picnic shelters. This variety of amenities made Lake Mead a popular destination for families to vacation and enjoy water sports.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: August, 1936
LAKE 391
National Park Service Warehouse
Built in 1932 during the construction of the Boulder Dam as a storage facility for the Six Companies Inc. Railroad, the historic National Park Service warehouse in Boulder City is now used by the park for maintenance operations, offices and workshops.
Photographer: Gordon C. Baldwin
Date: July 10, 1944
LAKE 4248
Hemenway Harbor
The Hemenway Harbor boat dock allowed quick access to the lake for Boulder City residents making it a popular destination that often became crowded.
Photographer: Maurice Sullivan
Date: April 9, 1955
LAKE 4472
Emery's Landing
Before the Davis Dam was completed, Lake Mohave's water rose significantly at Emery's Landing (also known as Nelson's Landing). Emery's fishing camp in the Eldorado Canyon was situated between Willow Beach and the Davis Dam and was a popular destination.
Photographer: Maurice Sullivan
Date: November 24, 1950
LAKE 4509
Dressing Rooms at Las Vegas Wash
As park visitation increased, facilities such as these men's dressing rooms at Las Vegas Wash were built to provide a better visitor experience.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: Date Unknown
LAKE 4582
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
Lake Mead Lodge
The spectacular views from Lake Mead Lodge along with its proximity to town made it a popular destination. This photo shows a view of the lodge from the west on Lakeshore Road looking north east.
Photographer: Maurice Sullivan
Date: March 24, 1948
LAKE 4628
Lakeshore Trailer Court
The spectacular views from Lake Mead Lodge along with its proximity to town made it a popular destination. This photo shows a view of the lodge from the west on Lakeshore Road looking north east.
Photographer: J. M. Good
Date: April 9, 1955
LAKE 4630
Boat Dock at Overton
At one time, known for its small, sandy beaches and sheltered coves, Overton Beach was one of the most popular spots for visitors to enjoy the recreation opportunities. The park built facilities such as this boat dock to improve the visitor experience at Overton Beach.
Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: February 25, 1954
LAKE 4759
Willow Beach Concession
Below Hoover Dam, the steep walls of Black Canyon provided sheltered areas to fish, camp or boat. These concessions at Willow Beach concessions offered visitors a place to buy food and supplies.
Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: March 18,1954
LAKE 4773
Old Spring House
Spring houses such as this one were built to protect water quality and provide a place for the water to collect in quantity. They may also have provided a cooler place to store food and perishables.
Photographer: Mitchell
Date: June 1954
LAKE 4865
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
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
Launching Ramp
A park ranger looks out over the still water at the Stewarts Point launch ramp in the Overton Arm area of Lake Mead.
Photographer: Egermayer
Date: October 18, 1954
LAKE 4949
Bath House
At one time, Overton Beach was one of the most popular spots for visitors to park their RVs, picnic and enjoy the other recreational opportunities in the park. Facilities such as this bath house were constructed to improve the visitors' experience.
Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: July 12, 1951
LAKE 5116
Cabins at Temple Bar
As the only marina on the lake in Arizona, Temple Bar offered a less crowded place to recreate. Visitors could stay in these small rustic cabins and enjoy fishing where the Colorado River flows from the Grand Canyon.
Photographer: L. J. Mitchell
Date: July 10, 1951
LAKE 5118
Concessioner's Dock
The Temple Bar area offered secluded and sandy coves and beaches accessible only by boat. Visitors could launch their boats and purchase supplies at this concessioner's dock.
Photographer: L. J. Mitchell
Date: July 19, 1951
LAKE 5120
Boat Dock
This boat dock at Overton Beach was a popular launch site for visitors. The Overton Beach area offered sandy coves and beaches that could only be accessed by boat. Concessioners offered supplies and rentals.
Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: July, 1951
LAKE 5129
Cafe
No weekend at the Overton Beach would be complete without a stop at the café and store for refreshments.
Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: July, 1951
LAKE 5130
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
Overnite Cabin #3
Cabins such as this "Cabin #3" were available for rent in Eldorado Canyon.
Photographer: Ward W. Yeager
Date: July, 1951
LAKE 5138
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
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
Ranger Station
This ranger station at Pearce Ferry was located in a remote area of the large recreation area. It provided a place for visitors to get information along with improving safety.
Photographer: Donald J. Jolley
Date: July 12, 1951
LAKE 5150
Future Headquarters Location
This empty lot is where park headquarters would later be built in Boulder City. The Los Angeles power building can be seen in the background.
Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: January 9, 1950
LAKE 5218
Transmission Tower
This transmission tower was built at the park's warehouse to supply power to the boat dock at Hemenway Harbor. The warehouse was originally built for storage by the Six Companies, Inc. Railroad and the rails are still visible in the flooring, evidence of the building's past use.
Photographer: Maurice Sullivan
Date: December 8, 1950
LAKE 5264
House Trailer
House trailer at Temple Bar, Arizona from Squatter file.
Photographer: L.J. Mitchell
Date: October, 1951
LAKE 5324
Park Headquarters
Construction of park headquarters began in 1952 at the intersection of Nevada Highway and Wyoming Street in downtown Boulder City. The building would provide offices for administrative staff and also be a place for visitors to get information about the park.
Photographer: R.C. Burns
Date: April 11, 1952
LAKE 5399
Park Headquarters
Park headquarters would be an easily identifiable building where residents and tourists could get information on the park and facilities.
Photographer: R.C. Burns
Date: July 10, 1952
LAKE 5444
Park Headquarters
Construction of park headquarters began in 1952 at the intersection of Nevada Highway and Wyoming Street in downtown Boulder City. The building would provide offices for administrative staff and also be a place for visitors to get information about the park.
Photographer: R.C. Burns
Date: March 3, 1952
LAKE 5475
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: November 26, 1952
LAKE 5559
Eldorado Canyon Residences
Eldorado Canyon is located between Willow Beach and Cottonwood Cove. It offers secluded and sheltered coves for fishing and has always been a popular destination. During the 1950s, cabins such as these could be rented by visitors wishing to spend the night. There were also residences.
Photographer: Chan T. Howell
Date: November 26, 1952
LAKE 5560
Searchlight Fish Camp
Fishing camps sprang up in the park along the shoreline of the Colorado River to provide fishermen with shelter and supplies during their trips.
Photographer: C. T. Howell
LAKE 5569
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: January 11, 1953
LAKE 5613
Ground Breaking Ceremony
Boulder City, "The City that Built Hoover Dam," was a great stopping point on the way to or from the park. In a 1953 ceremony, the park broke ground for a new administration building on the corner of Wyoming and Nevada Highway that served as headquarters and also a place for visitors to get information.
Photographer: Russell K. Grater
Date: February 27, 1953
LAKE 5643
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 20, 1953
LAKE 5756
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
Daniel Bonelli Home
Daniel Bonelli was a Colorado River pioneer and was one of the first Morman settlers in the town of St. Thomas where he had a farm. He also started a ferry business at the junction of the Colorado and Virgin rivers. This is his home near Bonelli Landing.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: Date Unknown
LAKE 6069
Overton Ranger Station
Park operations were complex and ranged over a vast area. Ranger stations such as this one at Overton provided office space for rangers to work from and orientation for visitors.
Photographer: Squire
Date: June, 1959
LAKE 6081
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
Ranger Station
Lake Mead provided many recreational opportunities such as camping, boating and swimming. Ranger Stations such as this one were places visitors could stop for information and provided office space for district rangers.
Photographer: Natt N. Dodge / M. Sullican
Date: August 30, 1949
LAKE 6201
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
Construction of Boulder Dock
As park visitation increased, development and maintenance of boat docks such as this one at Boulder was much needed to provide a better experience for visitors.
Photographer: Ted Whitmoyer
Date: 1962
LAKE 6541
West End Mine
The West End Mine shown here, represents a legacy of mineral extraction within national parks such as Lake Mead.
Photographer: Ted Whitmoyer
Date: 1963
LAKE 6802
West End Mine
The West End Mine shown here, represents a legacy of mineral extraction within national parks such as Lake Mead.
Photographer: Ted Whitmoyer
LAKE 6805
West End Mine
The West End Mine shown here, represents a legacy of mineral extraction within national parks such as Lake Mead.
Photographer: Ted Whitmoyer
LAKE 6806
West End Mine
The West End Mine shown here, represents a legacy of mineral extraction within national parks such as Lake Mead.
Photographer: Ted Whitmoyer
LAKE 6815
West Checking Station
This checking station between Boulder City and Railroad Pass welcomed visitors traveling from the west to the park.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: 1937
LAKE 700
Mill in Eldorado Canyon
This mill was located in Eldorado Canyon. In the late 1700s, Spaniards searched for gold along the Colorado River. They named their camp “Eldorado” in honor of the legendary city of gold. At one time, thousands of men, driven by gold fever, lived within the narrow confines of the canyon. This was more men than in the nearby town of Las Vegas.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: Circa 1890
LAKE 8109
Remains of Bonelli Home
Gerald Crowe, husband of Cecile Dotson Crowe who was the first woman hired by the US Bureau of Reclamation in Las Vegas, poses in front of the remains of the Bonelli home at Bonelli Landing.
Photographer: Murl Emory
Date: Circa 1933
LAKE 8780
Hesses Camp Site
Hess's camp site, located 3 miles above the dam site was a take-off point for prop driven boat river trips before the lake was created.
Photographer: Gerald Crowe
Date: 1933
LAKE 8785
Pearce Ferry Arizona
Pearce Ferry (shown here) was started in 1863 by Jacob Hamblin, bought by Pearce in 1876 who operated it until 1891. This area became popular again during the Grand Canyon-Boulder Dam tours in the 1940's. A concession maintained a floating dock, supply depot, and a dining room.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: December, 1963
LAKE 9138
Shelters at Boulder Beach
The new recreation area was a popular day trip destination for area visitors and residents. Here the park is erecting shelters at the picnic area of Boulder Beach.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: 1958
LAKE BB-Shelters
Chlorinator House
Water stored in Lake Mead provided drinking water for area residents and visitors. This chlorinator house at Boulder Beach was constructed to treat that water before consumption.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: 1939-40
LAKE Chlorinator_house
Gentry Hotel
Around the 1880’s new settlers began to arrive at the town site of St. Thomas. These settlers discovered that the soil was good for farming. At its peak, the town population was around 500 people. The Gentry Hotel offered lodging for travelers. Gladys Gentry Collection, Lost City Museum.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: Date Unknown
LAKE gentry-hotel-001
Gentry Hotel
At one time, the town of St. Thomas had a population of about 500. There was a school, post office, grocery stores, church, soda fountain, and several garages for the new invention of the automobile, along with the Gentry Hotel pictured here. Memories written by the former townspeople were of a happy and simple life.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: May 13, 1934
LAKE gentry-hotel-002
Rising Waters
Preliminary studies projected that the town of S. Thomas would be flooded by Lake Mead and residents were told that they would have to relocate. One of the last residents to leave was Hugh Lord, who paddled away from his home when the water lapped at his front door.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: 1938
LAKE housewater
Campground Barriers 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
Ragtown
Hoover Dam was constructed when the Great Depression was in full swing. Tens of thousands of hopeful workers flocked to the dam site with their families and lived in wooden cabins, tattered tents and cardboard dwellings such as this one in a place known as "Ragtown." These makeshift structures provided little shelter from the devastating July heat, the swirling dust and the freezing nights of winter.
Photographer: W. A. Davis
LAKE K42
St. Thomas School
At its peak, the population of St. Thomas was around 500 people. There was this school, a post office, grocery stores, church, soda fountain, along with homes. Though there was no indoor plumbing or electricity, memories written by the former townspeople were of a happy and simple life.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: 1934, Moapa Valley Historic Association
LAKE st-thomas-school-001