The federal government built the town in 1931 as a temporary housing development for the workers building the Hoover Dam (then called the Boulder Dam). Alcohol and gambling were banned to remove that distraction from the workers, and unions were banned too for somewhat obvious reasons. When the dam was finished, many of the workers decided to stay, and they finally managed to have the town incorporated in 1959. Unions were permitted the following year, and alcohol sales in 1969. The local residents seem to approve of the gambling ban, however, there are two casinos just outside the city limits - one in Henderson, and the other on the other side closer to the Dam (which also serves to greet entrants to Nevada from Arizona). Boulder City also has limits on the number of people who can settle there each year.
Wow.