Рет қаралды 261
Hoover Dam and Boulder City during the great depression; Designing a "model" town; A "walled garden" city in the desert; Cracking down on union unrest; living in Boulder City; breaking away from government control.
Join me as we venture into the heart of the Mojave Desert to uncover the secrets of one of the first View Master reels ever released.
Why did they choose Boulder City, a tiny and remote location near the Hoover Dam, as their subject?
What could be so special about this place that it captured the attention of the entire nation?
As we search for each picture on the reel, we'll learn about the incredible story of how the US government built an entire city from scratch to house the workers building the Hoover Dam. This was no ordinary city - it was the very first "Federal City" ever built, entirely owned and operated by the US government. But the path to creating this city was anything but easy. The Great Depression hit just as construction was set to begin, leaving thousands of unemployed Americans desperate for work. In response, they flocked to the harsh and unforgiving desert, forming Ragtown - a makeshift camp with extreme living conditions.
Despite these challenges, the government pushed forward with their ambitious plan, hiring architect Saco Rienk de Boer to design a city that would be "the finest construction camp ever constructed". The result was a stunning example of urban planning, with separate districts for government, business, and residential areas, surrounded by large grassy parks and tree-lined streets.
But as we'll discover, not everything went according to plan. The government had to make tough decisions to maintain strict order in town, including making casinos, bars, and brothels illegal. They even created a "federal reservation" where democracy didn't exist and Nevada state law didn't apply - a literal "walled garden" in the middle of the desert.
Follow me as we uncover the fascinating history of Boulder City, one picture at a time. From the towering US Bureau of Reclamation Administration Building to the serene Terraced Government Lawn, each image on this vintage View Master reel tells a story of America's ingenuity and determination to conquer the harshest landscapes.
Don't miss this thrilling adventure into the heart of Boulder City - hit that subscribe button and let's explore the world together!
Sound credits:
Daytime in the desert: freesound.org/...
Exterior desert silence: freesound.org/...
Dog barking in the park: freesound.org/...
Small town ambience: freesound.org/...
Moped passing by: freesound.org/...
Small town street: freesound.org/...
Car passing: freesound.org/...
Garden sprinkler: freesound.org/...
Bus arriving: freesound.org/...
Woman’s footsteps on street: freesound.org/...
Bees: freesound.org/...
Picture credits:
Elwood Mead: Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection
Many pictures of Boulder City area: UNLV Special Collection
Boulder City museum: www.bchdmuseum...