
Ida Crowder pictured on running board. Photo courtesy of Boulder City Hoover Dam Museum
The Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum has a new rotating exhibit highlighting four of the first businesses in Boulder City. The businesses are Laubach’s Tavern, Browder’s, Green Hut Cafe and Central Market. Most of these business, while no longer operating as the original business, still maintain a historical footprint in our city.
Mrs. Ida M. Browder was Boulder City’s first businesswoman. Her building, constructed in 1931/1932 was the site of the city’s first restaurant, “Browder’s Lunch and Root Beer Store” according to corresponding advertisements. Coffee could be had for $0.05 and a full breakfast for $0.35! The building still stands at the corner of Wyoming Street and Nevada Way and is the current home of Browder Bookstore and Dam Roast House.
Take a moment to stroll through the museum located at the Boulder Dam Hotel, 1305 Arizona Street, any day from 7:00AM to 7:00PM to refresh your Boulder City history and learn more about the early people and business that helped Boulder City become what it is today. Admission is free (donations are accepted at the end of your self-guided tour). You can also peruse their ever-growing digital collection of artifacts online by CLICKING HERE for the catalog hub. It’s always fascinating to learn more about our town and our ancestors!