The number of men working on the project was huge, making it impossible to know everyone, even if on the same shift. However,
one member of the crew was known by all: Nig, the Boulder Dam Mascot.
Although his origins were unknown, the men liked to say that Nig, a dog with black fur and a white blaze on his chest, was born under
the floorboards of one of the dormitories. Next to Frank Crowe, Nig was probably one of the most respected personalities of the dam.
Every morning he would ride to the dam site with the men. On the way to work, Nig carried his own lunch sack, provided by Anderson Mess Hall. He would put
his lunch where the men kept theirs and wouldn't eat until they took their meal break.
During the work day, Nig would walk around the construction, as if he were supervising the men at work. His constant presence buoyed
the men's spirits. The dog was so well loved, that insulting him or causing him harm would result in a brawl.
Like so many other "construction stiffs," Nig died on the job.
One day, while sleeping under a truck, Nig was crushed under the
tires when the truck moved. The workers honored the mascot by burying
him at the dam and placing a memorial in his name. Many years later,
a visitor to the dam said that the name "Nig" was racist, and it
was decided that the memorial should be changed to read "Boulder
Dam Mascot."
