“They earned top dollar, which was $5 a day.” These words echo around us as we stand before the High Scaler Statue. This bronze figure commemorates the daring workers of the Hoover Dam. It immortalizes their courage high above the Black Canyon.
The High Scaler Statue is a tribute to those who risked their lives. They cleared loose rock from the canyon walls. Dangling from ropes, they faced danger daily. These men were the “celebrity laborers” of their time.
Sculptor Steven Liguori created the High Scaler in the 1990s. He captured the spirit of these brave workers. The statue is modeled after a photograph of Joe Kine. Kine was one of the last surviving high scalers. He worked on the Hoover Dam project.
Liguori was commissioned to create “High Scaler” for $166000. He was also promised a share of merchandise proceeds. This included his other dam-related creations.
A legal battle ensued. Liguori sued Bert Hansen over royalty payments. He claimed his work was used without permission. The court ruled in Liguori’s favor. He was awarded $1.3 million in damages.
Dennis McBride describes the high scalers’ work. He says they sat in their bosun’s chairs. Then they went over the side. It was a dangerous job. They earned $5 a day. That translates to about $87 today. That is a little less than $11 an hour.
Joe Kine, the statue’s inspiration, continued working at the dam. He was employed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Kine spent his life in Boulder City. He passed away in 1997 at age 91.
The High Scaler Statue is more than just art. It represents bravery. It represents the risks taken during the dam’s construction. The blind vendors also sponsored this project. They felt it would be a great opportunity. They wanted to pay tribute to those men. At the same time, they wanted to express their gratitude.
Take a moment to appreciate the High Scaler Statue. Consider the courage of those it represents. Their work made the Hoover Dam possible. They shaped the landscape before us. Their daring spirit lives on in this bronze figure.