As we celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary, the America250 initiative invites us to honor the full, diverse tapestry of our nation’s history. At Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina, a proud member of the Adventures Unbound family, we are using Black History Month to reflect on the laborers whose perseverance helped reshape the American West. By highlighting these stories, we connect our peaceful cove on Lake Mohave to the broader national journey of industrial achievement and the fight for civil rights.

The Labor for Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam

The construction of the Hoover Dam, which created the massive reservoir of Lake Mead, was an era-defining project, yet it was also a site of significant racial struggle. In 1933, despite a total workforce of 4,000 men, only 24 Black workers were employed, a stark reality documented in the National Archives. These men were often restricted to the most grueling tasks in the blistering heat of the Arizona gravel pits and were barred from living in the federal town of Boulder City. This systemic exclusion pushed many workers toward the settlement that would eventually become Henderson, Nevada, as they and organizations like the NAACP fought for fair employment and federal recognition.

The “Westside” and a Community’s Resilience

Beyond the dam site, the social geography of the region was defined by the “Westside,” a segregated section of Las Vegas where 15,000 African Americans were forced to reside behind a “cement curtain” of railroad tracks. As noted by UNLV, while this community was separated from the famous Fremont Street, it became a vibrant center of culture and advocacy. Maps from the Journal of Maps illustrate how this neighborhood served as a vital home base for those who challenged the labor practices at the dam and helped build the foundation of the modern Southwest.

Preserving the Legacy of the Colorado River

The story of the Colorado River is not just one of water and power, but of the people who overcame immense barriers to build our infrastructure. Today, as we enjoy the recreational opportunities at Cottonwood Cove, we honor the grit and determination of the Black workers who labored in the desert sun to help bring this region to life. To learn more about how we are celebrating these diverse stories of our national heritage, visit America250 at Adventures Unbound.