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Frank J. Morrill Jr. photograph collection, approximately 1899-1900
Overview of the Collection
- Collector
- Morrill, Frank J., Jr
- Title
- Frank J. Morrill Jr. photograph collection
- Dates
- approximately 1899-1900 (inclusive)18991900
- Quantity
- 112 photographic prints, 23 photographs in album (1 box and 1 oversize folder) ; various sizes
- Collection Number
- PH0010
- Summary
- Documents the construction of water pipelines, dams, etc. in Renton, Black River, Cedar River, and Queen Anne and various other Seattle localities
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Selected images can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
The inadequacies of Seattle’s privately owned water systems were apparent during the Great Fire of June 6, 1889, which destroyed most of downtown Seattle. This proved to many voters that a publicly owned water supply would do the most good for the city, and on July 8, 1889, Seattle voters overwhelmingly approved creation of a municipal water system. In September of that year, construction began on the Cedar River water supply system. The project was completed in 1901. Today, the Cedar River watershed provides two-thirds of the water supply for the greater Seattle metropolitan region.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs documenting the construction of water pipelines, dams, etc. in Renton, Black River, Cedar River, Queen Anne and various Seattle localities. Although Anders Beer Wilse took most of the photographs, there are a few photographs taken by Seattle City Engineer Reginald Heber Thomson.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
All photographs are taken by Anders Beer Wilse, unless otherwise noted.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from the collection in digital format
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Custodial History
Photographs were removed from deteriorating album. The original order was retained. Photograph numbers refer to former album page numbers.
Two photographs from the collection found in the subject files and added to the collection, 2013.
Acquisition Information
Donor: Mrs. Frank J. Morrill Jr., November 8, 1955.
Processing Note
Processed by Meng-fan Lu and Marion Brown, 2008, Sara Cordes, 2017.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Seattle Water Department Album 1Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/1 | 1-1 | September 1, 1899 | |
1/1 | 1-2 |
Caulking pipe joints and painting
joints (2x)
Same as 2-4.
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/1 | 1-3 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/1 | 1-4 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/1 | 1-5 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/1 | 1-6 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/1 | 1-7 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/1 | 1-8 |
Curve on east bank of Black River
(8x)
Same as 2-5.
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/1 | 1-9 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/1 | 1-10 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/2 | 1-11 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/2 | 1-12 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/2 | 1-13a | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/2 | 1-13b | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/2 | 1-14 |
Head works, looking upstream from north
Bank (15x)
Same as 2-9.
|
September 6, 1899 |
1/2 | 1-15 | September 6, 1899 | |
1/2 | 1-16 | September 6, 1899 | |
1/2 | 1-17 |
Head works, excavating for wing on
south Bank (18x)
Same as 2-12.
|
September 6, 1899 |
1/2 | 1-18 | September 6, 1899 | |
1/2 | 1-19 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/2 | 1-20 | Cedar River, looking downstream toward
Clifford's Bridge (21x) |
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/3 | 1-21 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/3 | 1-22 | September 8, 1899 | |
1/3 | 1-23 | September 8, 1899 | |
1/3 | 1-24 | September 8, 1899 | |
1/3 | 1-25 | September 8, 1899 | |
1/3 | 1-26 | September 8, 1899 | |
1/3 | 1-27 | September 8, 1899 | |
folder:oversize | |||
OS1 | 1-28 | September 8, 1899 | |
Box/Folder | |||
1/3 | 1-29 | September 13, 1899 | |
1/3 | 1-30 | September 22, 1899 | |
1/4 | 1-31 | September 22, 1899 | |
1/4 | 1-32 | People and construction on the river
bank (42x) |
circa 1889 |
1/4 | 1-33 |
Black River Crossing
R.H. Thomson
(photographer)
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/4 | 1-34 |
Dam across Black River turning the
water of Cedar River into Lake Washington
R.H. Thomson
(photographer)
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/4 | 1-35 |
Cedar River where is turns into Lake
Washington
R.H. Thomson
(photographer)
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/4 | 1-36 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/4 | 1-37 |
Building dam across Black River
(37x)
Same as 2-7.
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/4 | 1-38 |
Digging trench in bottom of Black River
(41x)
Same as 2-14.
|
October 13, 1899 |
1/4 | 1-39 |
Pipe line across bottom of Black
River
R.H. Thomson
(photographer)
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/4 | 1-40a-d | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/5 | 1-41 |
Digging trench for pipe near
Renton
R.H. Thomson
(photographer)
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/5 | 1-42 |
Distribution pipes near
Renton
R.H. Thomson
(photographer)
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/5 | 1-43 |
Tunnel caving in
R.H. Thomson
(photographer)
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/5 | 1-44 |
Low service reservoir (31x)
Same as 2-10.
|
September 18, 1899 |
1/5 | 1-45 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/5 | 1-46 | between 1899 and 1900 | |
1/5 | 1-47 | November 9, 1899 | |
1/5 | 1-48 |
Long tangent east of Dunlap Canyon
(45x)
Same as 2-19.
|
November 9, 1899 |
1/5 | 1-49 |
Dunlap Canyon looking west
(44x)
Same as 2-16.
|
November 9, 1899 |
1/5 | 1-50 | Dunlap Canyon looking east
(43x)
Same as 2-18.
|
November 9, 1899 |
1/6 | 1-51 |
Laying pipes in bottom of Black
River
R.H. Thomson
(photographer)
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/6 | 1-52 |
Turning Cedar River and Black River
into Lake Washington
R. H. Thomson
(photographer)
|
between 1899 and 1900 |
1/6 | 1-53 |
Head works from north bank looking up
stream (46x)
Same as 2-11.
|
November 14, 1899 |
1/6 | 1-54 |
Head works intake wing dam on south
bank (48x)
Same as 2-13.
|
November 14, 1899 |
1/6 | 1-55 | November 14, 1899 | |
1/6 | 1-56 | November 14, 1899 | |
1/6 | 1-57 |
Mode of testing pipe sections
(50x)
Same as 2-1.
|
January 12, 1900 |
1/6 | 1-58 |
Filling in trench after a pressure test
(51x)
Same as 2-6.
|
January 12, 1900 |
1/6 | 1-59 | January 12, 1900 | |
1/6 | 1-60 | January 19, 1900 | |
1/7 | 1-61 |
High service reservoir, the cement gang
(54x)
Same as 2-17.
|
January 19, 1900 |
1/7 | 1-62 | January 19, 1900 | |
1/7 | 1-63 |
Queen Anne stand pipe (56x)
Same as 2-15.
|
January 26, 1900 |
1/7 | 1-64 | January 26, 1900 | |
1/7 | 1-65 |
Starting to lay stave pipe at sta
(58x)
Same as 2-23.
|
January 26, 1900 |
1/7 | 1-66 | January 26, 1900 | |
1/7 | 1-67 |
Putting iron hoops around stave pipe at
sta (60x)
Same as 2-22.
|
January 26, 1900 |
1/7 | 1-68 |
Stand pipe construction at Queen Anne
Hill (61x)
Same as 2-20.
|
February 22, 1900 |
1/7 | 1-69 | circa 1900 | |
1/8 | 1-70 | March 8, 1900 | |
1/8 | 1-71 | March 8, 1900 | |
1/8 | 1-72 | March 8, 1900 | |
1/8 | 1-73-1-74 | March 9, 1900 | |
1/8 | 1-75 | March 9, 1900 | |
1/8 | 1-76 | March 9, 1900 | |
1/8 | 1-77 | Dunlap Canyon pipe being tested
(66x) |
March 9, 1900 |
1/8 | 1-78 | Laying staves (69x) |
March 9, 1900 |
1/8 | 1-79 | circa 1900 | |
1/9 | 1-80 | 8000 horsepower turbine in
place |
circa 1900 |
1/9 | 1-81 | Cross connection section, 30"
connection between old 48" and new 48" lines |
circa 1900 |
1/9 | 1-82 | 92 degree steel bend in 68" steel
pipe |
circa 1900 |
1/9 | 1-83 | Forest |
circa 1900 |
1/9 | 1-84 | Men examining pipe (78x) |
May 1, 1900 |
1/9 | 1-85 | Dam near woods |
circa 1900 |
1/9 | 1-86-1-87 | Waterfall |
circa 1900 |
Seattle Water Department Album 2Return to Top
Its 23 photographs demonstrate various water pipeline and dam building projects that occured between 1899 and 1900 in Western Washington. The inadequacies of Seattle's privately owned water systems were apparent during the Great Fire of June 6, 1889, which destroyed most of downtown Seattle. This proved to many voters that a publicly owned water supply would do the most good for the city, and on July 8, 1889, Seattle voters overwhelmingly approved creation of a municipal water system. In September of that year, construction began on the Cedar River water supply system. The project was completed in 1901. Today, the Cedar River watershed provides two-thirds of the water supply for much of Seattle. The construction projects shown in the album include riveting pipe joints on a hill east of Renton on September 1, 1899, building a dam across Black River and at South Bank, and laying a 42" pipe on Bagley hill. Photographs described in Frank Morrill, Jr. photograph collection no. 10. A second album containing copies of the same images made by Anders Wilse was transferred to the Wilse Collection, PH Coll. 285. They are still in their original album and order.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
item | ||
2-1 | Man testing pipe sections
Written on front: Gift: Mrs Frank J. Morrill November 8- 1955
Northwest.
Same as 1-57.
|
January 12, 1900 |
2-2 | Workers riveting pipe joints on hill east of
Renton
Same as 1-1.
|
September 1, 1899 |
2-3 | Pipeline up hill, looking toward hill east of
Renton
Same as 1-10.
|
between 1899 and 1900-1901 |
2-4 | Man "calking" and painting pipe joints
Same as 1-2.
|
between 1899 and 1900-1901 |
2-5 | Curve of pipeline on east bank of Black
River
Same as 1-8.
|
between 1899 and 1900-1901 |
2-6 | Men filling in trench after pressure test
Same as 1-58.
|
January 12, 1900 |
2-7 | Men building dam across Black River
Same as 1-37.
|
between 1899 and 1900-1901 |
2-8 | Men laying 42" pipe on vertical curve at ascent of
Bagley Hill near Renton
Same as 1-3.
|
between 1899 and 1900-1901 |
2-9 | Looking up stream from North Bank
Same as 1-14.
|
September 6, 1899 |
2-10 | Horse and donkey teams at Low Service
Resevoir
Same as 1-44.
|
September 18, 1899 |
2-11 | Man overlooking headworks from North Bank looking
upstream
Same as 1-53.
|
Novermber 14, 1899 |
2-12 | Men excavating for wing on South Bank
Same as 1-17.
|
September 6, 1899 |
2-13 | Intake and wing dam on South Bank
Same as 1-54.
|
November 14, 1899 |
2-14 | Men building trench in bottom of Black River
Same as 1-38.
|
October 13, 1899 |
2-15 | Men with Queen Anne stand pipe
Same as 1-63.
|
January 26, 1900 |
2-16 | View of Dunlap Canyon looking west
Same as 1-49.
|
November 9, 1899 |
2-17 | "The Cement Gang" in High Service Resevoir
Same as 1-61.
|
January 19, 1900 |
2-18 | View of pipeline in Dunlap Canyon looking
east
Same as 1-50.
|
November 9, 1899 |
2-19 | View of pipeline in long tangent east of Dunlap
Canyon
Same as 1-48.
|
November 9, 1899 |
2-20 | Man next to Stand Pipe on Queen Anne Hill
Same as 1-68.
|
February 22, 1900 |
2-21 | Men testing pipe section and reading the
gage
Gage [illeg.] 647, pressure 140lbs
Same as 1-64.
|
January 26, 1900 |
2-22 | Men putting iron hoops around Stove Pipe at
Sta
Same as 1-67.
|
January 26, 1900 |
2-23 | Man looking through the start of the Stove Pipe at
Sta
Same as 1-65.
|
January 26, 1900 |
Cedar River PhotographsReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/10 | 3 | Diversion dam in Cedar River used to
deflect water into water supply pipes for City of Seattle |
1898 |
1/10 | 4 | Cedar River intake |
October 31, 1899 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Dams--Washington (State)--Design and construction--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
- Water-pipes--Washington (State)--Photographs
Corporate Names
- Seattle (Wash.). Water Department--History
- Seattle (Wash.). Water Department--Photographs
Geographical Names
- Cedar River Watershed (King County, Wash.)
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Thomson, Reginald Heber, 1856-1949 (photographer)
- Wilse, Anders Beer, 1865-1949 (photographer)