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Dog of the Dam plaque.

Dog of the Dam

Field review by the editors.

Boulder City, Nevada

Died 1941

Pet Cemetery.

The "Dog of the Dam" was a resourceful black shepherd, born on the work site of Hoover Dam, a loyal friend to construction workers for years. He knew every supervisor and would run to get a boss at the first sign of man tumbling into the cement or a crane giving way.

On February 21, 1941, a truck backed over the sleeping mascot. A memorial plaque was installed on the site, but was later removed by the government, which decided that the dam dog's name was offensive.

Dog of the Dam plaque.

A concerted effort on the part of veteran workers forced the installation of a new memorial -- a slab with the single three-letter word, "nig." The slab is still there, though the word seems to have been sandblasted away. A plaque above the slab tells the dog's story, neglects to mention his name, and has rechristened him "The Dog Who Owned a Dam."

Also see: Noble Dogs | Roadside Pet Cemetery

Dog of the Dam

Address:
81 Hoover Dam Access Rd, Boulder City, NV
Directions:
Close to the parking deck on the Nevada side of the dam. With the opening of the Hoover Dam bypass bridge, visitors coming from Arizona have to cross over to Nevada, then take old US 93 back to the Dam.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Dam High Scaler MonumentDam High Scaler Monument, Boulder City, NV - < 1 mi.
Memorial to Hoover Dam DeadMemorial to Hoover Dam Dead, Boulder City, NV - < 1 mi.
Walk Through Hoover DamWalk Through Hoover Dam, Boulder City, NV - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Big Wall of Body Parts, Las Vegas, NV - 25 mi.

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