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 Callville Bay Marina, a proud member of the Adventures Unbound family, we are using Black History Month to recognize the labor and perseverance of the African American workers who helped shape the Southwest. By highlighting these stories, we connect the recreational beauty of Lake Mead to the broader national journey of civil rights and industrial progress.

The Struggle for Inclusion at the Hoover Dam

The creation of Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam was an engineering feat of massive proportions, but for Black workers, it was also a site of intense struggle for basic labor rights. In 1933, out of a workforce of 4,000 men, only 24 were Black, a disparity that led the Colored Citizens Labor and Protective Association to protest the lack of opportunity. As documented in the National Archives, those who were hired were often confined to the most grueling tasks in the Arizona gravel pits, far removed from the higher-paying tunnel work. Furthermore, Black laborers were barred from living in Boulder City, the purpose-built town for dam workers, forcing them to establish roots in nearby settlements like Henderson, Nevada.

The “Westside” and the Legacy of Las Vegas

The segregation faced at the dam site mirrored the social landscape of the surrounding region. As the population grew, 15,000 African Americans, representing roughly 10 percent of the city’s population, were restricted to a segregated section of Las Vegas known as the “Westside.” Separated from the glitz of Fremont Street by a “cement curtain” of railroad tracks, this community nonetheless became a hub of culture and resilience. According to researchers at UNLV and historical mapping in the Journal of Maps, the Westside remains a vital link to the history of Black Nevadans who fought for employment at the dam and helped build the modern Southwest.

Honoring the Hands That Built the West

Today, as boaters and travelers enjoy the vast expanse of Lake Mead, it is important to remember the men and women who faced systemic barriers while contributing to one of America’s most iconic landmarks. Their tenacity helped pave the way for future civil rights victories throughout Nevada and the nation. To learn more about how we are celebrating these diverse stories of our national heritage, visit America250 at Adventures Unbound.