The Winged Figures of the Republic is perhaps one of the most iconic sculptures in the state of Nevada.
This is not just because of their location at the engineering marvel of Hoover Dam, but also because of their grandeur.
Winged Figures of the Republic, Hoover Dam Statues, Boulder City NV
The sculptures are seemingly out-of-this-world creatures – if their 30-feet long wings are anything to go by. The essence of the sculptures, according to the man behind the iconic dam’s artwork (Oskar Hansen), is to symbolize the effort of the structure whose design was engineered to last for many years.Interesting facts about the winged creatures include the fact that they required more than four tons of bronze to make. In addition to this, the creatures are firmly set on bases made from black diorite. If you look closely, you will notice the high flag pole that flanks the sculpture, as if they are standing on guard.
Following the dedication of the sculpture to the dam in 1935, millions of visitors have since been fascinated by The Winged Figures of the Republic. In an odd twist to the putting up of the winged creatures, the monument is flanked by a terrazzo floor that includes a celestial chart. This chart is an important inclusion as it perfectly shows the position of specific stars on the day of the dam dedication.
Owing to their large size, most visitors continue to marvel at how the creatures were installed on location since the base and the figures were so heavy. History has it that the base stones were lowered using a crane. The catch was that this was done onto giant slabs of ice. The purpose of doing so was to allow for last-minute changes before the ice melted away.
Before you visit, it is important to note that the creatures are found on the Nevada side of the dam. To get there, use the Access Road right after the parking lot and close to the new Visitors Centre. Viewing The Winged Figures of the Republic is free.
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