Archives West Finding Aid

The Streets and Sewers Annual Reports date from 1895 to 1931; there is not a report for every year in this series. Additional copies can be found at the Seattle Public Library and in the Engineering Department Unrecorded Subject Files (located on microfiche at the Seattle Municipal Archives and in hard copy at the Puget Sound Regional Branch of the State Archives).

The earliest report, for 1895, is an itemized list of new construction for the year. The next report, for the year 1903, is a breakdown of costs for the department, including dollars spent for repairing, cleaning, and supplies, for paved streets, planked streets, dirt streets, and in other areas are listed. The 1904 reports includes both narrative and statistics, and includes reports of the street inspector, sidewalk inspector, sewer inspector, and a report on work of the chain gang. The 1905, 1908 and 1909 reports are primarily statistical; the 1908 report includes suggested amendments to ordinances relating to streets and sewers, such as moving buildings through any public place. Reports from 1896 to 1900 include parks. Discussion of the benefits of paving streets and the problems of planked roads is a common thread through these reports. Reports in the 1910s have more narrative than earlier reports and discuss the huge increase in motor driven vehicles and the implications for the department, as well as the effect of war activities on streets and sewers.

Reports in the 1920s continue to have narrative and many statistical reports. Root bound sewers and snow storms are some of the issues that arise. Maintenance and repair costs are a constant theme throughout the reports. The last report in this series is 1931.

Records were originally filed with the City Clerk in the Comptroller/Clerk's Files (CFs) and were removed to create this record series.