Constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers. Originally known as Boulder Dam from 1933, it was officially renamed Hoover Dam, for President Herbert Hoover.

A total of 3,250,000 cubic yards of concrete was used in building the dam. There were 112 deaths reported associated with the construction of the dam.