Editorial: Boulder City sets pace for preservation

Friday, June 8, 2001 | 9:49 a.m.

Historical preservation often is a foreign concept to Las Vegas Valley residents who have witnessed more than their fair share of casino implosions in recent years. Indeed, many of these events were turned into media spectacles.

That is why it was refreshing to see the opposite in Boulder City Tuesday with the reopening of the 1930s-era Boulder Dam Hotel. The rebirth of a landmark that was saved from its deathbed lends further proof that Boulder City remains Southern Nevada's model community.

What makes the reopening impressive is the way the community banded together to restore a hotel that had opened its doors to the likes of Bette Davis, Shirley Temple and Will Rogers. Even though the hotel was drowning in debt and fell into a state of disrepair, an association was formed to turn the tide. The result was a team effort that raised more than $1.1 million through government grants, auctions, cruises and private fund-raisers.

In a city that typically votes in higher percentages than municipalities in the valley -- witness Boulder City's unofficial 31.9 percent turnout in Tuesday's election versus 24.1 percent in Henderson and 19.9 percent in North Las Vegas -- it is not surprising to see a high level of community involvement in the preservation of an old hotel.

It would be nice to see the same level of local involvement in the preservation of older historic buildings in the valley.