1928 Broadside Promoting Boulder Dam Land Speculation near Kingman, AZ

This is the only known example of a 1928 double-sided broadside promoting Kingman, Arizona, in anticipation of the construction of the Boulder Dam. The map promotes the 'Golden Gate Addition,' which developers 'Bolder Dam Properties' predict will be the 'world's greatest land boom.'

A Closer Look

The broadside is printed on two sides - recto and verso shown here in a single image - one-quarter of which is dedicated to a map. The map is distorted to focus on Kingman and Boulder Dam while still revealing the region within the context of the southwestern United States. Coverage extends from the Pacific and California to Tucson and Mesquite to the Mexican border. Kingman appears as center, larger than San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Los Vegas, and Tuscon combined. The Golden Gate Addition, nearly as large as Kingman itself, is just northwest of the main city, along the route of Route 66 'America's Main Street' and the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway (ATSFRR). The size of the Colorado River is similarly exaggerated to emphasize the impact of the future Boulder Dam and the 'Proposed Boulder Lake' (Lake Mead).

The remainder of the broadside features glowing reviews of Kingman and speculations regarding its rapid growth as the main supply and transit point for the construction of Boulder Dam. They were correct. The construction of Boulder Dam, which began in 1931, brought a surge of activity to Kingman. One of the largest and most ambitious engineering feats of its time, Boulder Dam provided much-needed employment during the Great Depression and attracted workers from all over the country. Kingman benefited economically from the influx of workers and the increased traffic as construction crews traveled between Kingman and the dam site, about 70 miles north.

The broadside also touts Kingman's significance to the iconic Route 66, 'America's Highway.' Route 66 was inaugurated on November 11, 1926, just two years before this map went to the presses. The highway connecting Chicago, IL, to Santa Monica, CA, grew to symbolize freedom, adventure, and the spirit of westward expansion.

Publication History and Census

This broadside map is undated, but from context, it must date from 1928, when the Boulder Dam bill was brought before Congress and passed. It was likely issued by Boulder Dam Properties, a division of the Pasadena, California, based Superba Land Development Company, which invested heavily in land around Boulder Dam. The map is signed by JRJ, but we have been unable to associate these initials with a known illustrator active around that time. This is the only known surviving example.