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John S. Volpe photographs collection, 1917-1952
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Volpe, John S.
- Title
- John S. Volpe photographs collection
- Dates
- 1917-1952 (inclusive)19171952
- Quantity
- 0.4 cubic feet, (1 document case)
- Collection Number
- Org. Lot 274
- Summary
- Photographs and printed materials relating to the work of John S. Volpe, an engineer for the Portland Electric Power Company (later named the Portland General Electric Company) in Portland, Oregon, who supervised the laying of underground utility cables. Images date from the mid-1920s to the early 1950s; they document electrical work throughout Portland, and include photographs of John S. Volpe, cable-laying and submerged-cable projects, and employees and company events.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
John S. Volpe served as superintendent of the Underground Distribution Department at the Portland Electric Power Company (PEPCO), later named the Portland General Electric Company, from the early 1920s through his retirement in 1952. He was in charge of the project for the first electrical cable submerged under the Willamette River, hooking the west side to the east side, which was completed in April 1945, as well as many subsequent submerged cable projects.
Volpe received a 1927 commendation letter from the president of PEPCO, likely given for month-long management of a cable failure and fire and subsequent massive repairs on September 6, 1927. He also received honors in 1951, close to his retirement, for "pioneering work in the engineering and operating field as superintendent of PGE's underground distribution system." For this, he was given lifetime membership in the Northwest Electric Light and Power association.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection consists of photographs and printed materials relating to John S. Volpe's career as an engineer at the Portland Electric Power Company (PEPCO), later named the Portland General Electric Company, where he worked primarily with the installation of underground cables. The collection features many images of electrical work throughout the city from the 1920s through the early 1950s. Included are images of Volpe; a photograph album documenting the installation of the first submerged electrical cable system in Oregon, circa 1945; images of cables being laid in downtown Portland; photographs of work sites and utility poles; and images of PEPCO employees and events. Photographs also include the visit of the plane Spirit of St. Louis to Portland in the late 1920s. Printed materials in the collection consist of General Electric and Westinghouse booklets of rules, guidelines and reference; newspaper clippings regarding work by PEPCO and PGE; a 1927 commendation letter to Volpe from the president of PEPCO; and notice that Volpe received honors in 1951.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
John S. Volpe photographs collection, Org. Lot 274, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in two series: Series 1, Photographs; and Series 2, printed materials.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: Photographs, circa 1925-1952Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | John Volpe at work |
circa 1929-1950 |
| 1 | 2 | PEPCO events and employees |
circa 1925-1945 |
| 1 | 3 | Laying electrical cables on streets (primarily in Portland) |
circa 1929 |
| 1 | 4 | PEPCO first aid class |
1929 |
| 1 | 5 | PEPCO Underground Department picnics (including Jantzen Beach) |
circa 1926-1929 |
| 1 | 6 | Electric and X-ray readouts |
1932; undated |
| 1 | 7 | Submerged cable--Willamette River |
circa 1945 |
| 1 | 8 | Photograph album: "First submerged electrical cable" |
1945 |
| 1 | 9 | PGE transformers |
1948; undated |
| 1 | 10 | PEPCO and PGE work images, including photo postcards, work sites, utility poles |
1952; undated |
| 1 | 11 | Outdoor scenes, including snowstorm of 1932, electrical stations |
1932; undated |
| 1 | 12 | Family and personal photographs, Spirit of St. Louis plane in Portland and dirigible Shenandoah |
circa 1925-1929 |
Series 2: Printed materials, 1917-1952Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 13 | Booklets from General Electric and Westinghouse |
1917-1926 |
| 1 | 14 | Documents, including news clippings and business cards |
circa 1927-1952 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Electric cables--Installation--Oregon--Portland--Photographs
- Electric industries--Oregon--Portland--Photographs
- Electrification--Oregon--Portland--Photographs
Personal Names
- Volpe, John S.--Photographs
Corporate Names
- Portland Electric Power Company--Photographs
- Portland General Electric Company--Photographs
Form or Genre Terms
- photographs
