Grand Coulee Dam photograph collection, 1936-1955

Overview of the Collection

Photographer
United States.--Works Progress Administration
Title
Grand Coulee Dam photograph collection
Dates
1936-1955 (inclusive)
Quantity
530 photographic prints (3 boxes)
44 negatives (1 box)
Collection Number
PH0478
Summary
Photographs related to the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam, including ground clearing, Works Progress Administration workers, construction views, and views of Marcus, Washington
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

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The Grand Coulee Dam is a concrete dam on the Columbia River in the state of Washington providing hydroelectric power and irrigation water. Initial construction began in 1933 for a “low dam” of reduced size and cost. Congress approved expanding the construction to include a “high dam” in 1935 following a visit by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the construction site in 1934. Concrete was first poured in 1935. The low dam was completed in 1938 after which construction on the high dam began. Construction was completed in 1941. 8,000 people worked on the Grand Coulee Dam project. The Bureau of Reclamation built Engineers’ Town on the west side of the Columbia River to provide housing for workers and their families. The contractor-provided Mason City was built on the opposite bank in 1934 and sold to the Bureau of Reclamation in 1937. Other living areas sprang up around the construction site including Shack Town and the city of Grand Coulee, located west of the dam. The Bureau of Reclamation combined Mason City and Engineers’ Town in 1956 to form the city of Coulee Dam. The city was incorporated in 1959.

The creation of the Grand Coulee Dam created a reservoir behind the dam stretching 150 miles up the Columbia River, 32 miles up the Spokane River, and eight miles up both the Sanpoil River and the Kettle River. In the 1930s, the Bureau of Reclamation began surveying the reservoir zone and marking off the high water line. In late 1938, the Works Progress Administration began large-scale and rapid clearing operations in the reservoir zone. All land below 1,310 feet in the reservoir zone had to be cleared of trees, stumps, brush, and any other object that would obstruct navigation or damage the dam. Towns, railroads, highways and roads, bridges, telegraph and telephone systems, and cemeteries within the zone had to be relocated, destroyed, or razed. Among the towns were Kettle Falls, Inchelium on the Colville Indian Reservation, and the former railroad boom town of Marcus, all of which were rebuilt on higher ground. Over 3,000 residents in the reservoir zone were relocated.

2,626 Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers cleared 54,000 acres of land over the course of the clearing project. The WPA supplied workers and built and operated camps and mess halls. The Bureau of Reclamation supplied clearing equipment and materials. Clearing operations were scheduled to keep ahead of rising backwater, but because dam construction proceeded more rapidly than expected, work was accelerated in April 1941.

More than 30,000,000 feet of merchantable timber was logged by WPA crews and floated down river to the Lincoln Lumber Company. Unmerchantable timber was piled into stacks or placed in furnace pits to be burned. Brush, greasewood, and sagebrush was also burned. Blasting operations were used to clear the reservoir zone of stumps. Up to 25 stumps were wired up and blasted at once. Homes and buildings in the reservoir zone that could not be relocated were demolished and burned.

Workers stayed at temporary camps set up at various locations along the Columbia and Spokane Rivers. Camp Lincoln was built first and followed by Camps Keller, Spokane, Detillion, Gerome, Gifford, and Kettle. Camp Kettle was the largest work camp and became the clearing project headquarters in 1940. Small supplemental tent camps were also used. Larger camps were complete with barracks, a recreation hall, mess hall, dispensary, offices, warehouse, garage, blacksmith and machine shops, sewer and water lines, light and power systems, and refrigeration. Camps were built using pre-fabricated sections so buildings could be dismantled and moved once clearing at one site was completed. The last camp established was Camp Little Falls on the Spokane River.

Camp Ferry was a floating work camp launched in March 1939 and operated until October 1941. It was comprised of three 24 by 64 floating barges with sleeping and dining facilities as well as offices and tool houses. The floating camp was initially meant to house 75 men but by the fall of 1939 was shared by 125. Camp Ferry was designed to allow workers to clear remote locations on the Columbia River and its tributaries. Camp Ferry did not move as often as other floating camps, and men were sometimes stuck at a single remote location for up to three weeks. Camp Ferry was towed to new locations by the barge Paul Bunyan. Paul Bunyan was built by WPA forces and launched into the Columbia River Reservoir on January 4, 1939. Paul Bunyan measured 24 by 64 feet in size and was powered with two 100-horsepower engines. It could haul up to 300 men as well as heavy machinery. Paul Bunyan was the first barge to navigate Rickey Rapids in 1941. Paul Bunyan was considered the flagship of the WPA “Navy” – a group of 21 vessels that assisted in the clearing operations by transferring men and equipment among work camps. Other ships included two 40-foot tugboats, the Nespelem and Wellpinit and the tug St. Thomas which was transferred from Boulder Dam and renamed the Blue Ox . Washington state also provided a new ferry to replace the old Gifford-Inchelium Ferry.

Flooding of the reservoir zone began in earnest in June 1941. Flooding changed the geography of the area. Bridges had to be destroyed. Hells Gate rapids, Rickey Rapids, Kettle Falls rapids, and Little Dalles rapids were submerged. The reservoir was initially called Columbia Reservoir but was renamed Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake in April 17, 1945.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Don G. Abel was the art administrator for the Works Project Administration (WPA) in Washington State from 1936 to 1940. He served on the Washington State Supreme Court from 1946 to 1947.

Frank A. Banks was appointed as the chief construction engineer of the Grand Coulee Dam in 1933.

Carl W. Smith was the WPA administrator for Washington State.

Morgan Fitz was born and educated in Seattle, WA. After serving as a photographer on the Grand Coulee Dam project, he served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. In 1945 he founded Morgan Fitz Photographers in Augusta, Georgia. In 1949 he entered into a partnership with fellow photographer Robert Symms and the studio was rebranded as Fitz-Symms Photography in 1951. Morgan Fitz retired in 1978 and passed away in 1998.

K. S. Brown served as an official photographer for the Bureau of Reclamation in the time period in which the Grand Coulee Dam was constructed.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Photographs of the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam; the majority of the images depicting various ground clearing projects, WPA workers and their quarters, work camps, and ferries. A few images are of the razing and moving of Marcus, Washington including pictures of some of the residents. Most of the actual dam construction photographs are aerials views.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Many of the photographs in this collection were taken by the WPA, unless otherwise indicated.

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.

Preferred Citation

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Processing Note

Processed by Molly Bishop, 2017

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/1 1-10
Aerial maps of Columbia Basin
Prints scanned from negatives (except 5).
Wallace Aerial Surveys (photographer)
August 26, 1938
1/2 11-12
Aerial maps of the Sanpoil River, Washington
Prints scanned from negative.
Wallace Aerial Surveys (photographer)
August 26, 1938
1/2 13-14
Aerial maps of the Spokane River
Prints scanned from negative.
Wallace Aerial Surveys (photographer)
August 26, 1938
1/2 15
Photo of map of the Columbia Basin Land Clearing Project with area to be cleared and inundated in black
November 1, 1939
1/2 16
Photo of map of the Upper Columbia River with five closer details of inundation areas
December 1, 1938
1/2 17-18 between 1938 and 1939
1/2 19 1939?

WPA "Navy"Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/3 20
Illustration of a WPA ferry carrying vehicles in the vicinity of the Coulee Dam
between 1938 and 1941
1/3 21
Man aboard the work boat Hawk on the back of a truck to be transported to clearing operations near Little Dalles on the Columbia River
From attached material: Showing work boat the "Hawk," part of the WPA "Navy," part of 21 craft used in clearing the Grand Coulee Reservoir, being transported by truck from a point on the Spokane River near Camp Detillion to the Upper Columbia River above Rickey Rapids and Kettle Falls, to assist in final clearing operations near the Little Dalles. Clearing of the 52,000 acres in the Reservoir area will be completed in July of this year.
1941
1/3 22 between1939 and 1941
1/3 23
Sailor coiling rope on the stern of the tug Blue Ox on Coulee Lake
October 9, 1940
1/3 24
Sailor at the helm in the cabin of the tug Blue Ox on Coulee Lake
Works Project Administration (photographer)
From attached material: Looking into the cabin of the Blue Ox while it is underway down Coulee Lake to clearing operations near the dam. This was taken about 8 miles above the dam.
October 9, 1940
1/3 25
Man aboard boat holding a boat hook
Bureau of Reclamation (photographer)
between 1938 and 1941
1/3 26 between 1939 and 1941
1/3 27
Gerome ferry in the middle of the Columbia River
Leo's Studio (photographer)
between 1939 and 1941
1/3 28-29
Sanpoil or Keller ferry ferrying cars across the Columbia River
Written on verso of 28: 17 miles north of Wilbur.
between 1939 and 1941
1/4 30 between 1939 and 1941
1/4 31
Two men on a power boat on a waterway in the vicinity of the Grand Coulee Dam
1940?
1/4 32-34 between 1939 and 1941
The Nespelem and the Wellpinit
Box/Folder item
1/5 35 1940
1/5 36
WPA ship building plant with sister ships Nespelem and Wellpinit tied up to the construction barge near Kettle Falls, Washington
August 23, 1940
1/5 37 August 23, 1940
1/5 38
The Nespelem sailing away from the construction barge while Wellpinit remains behind, near Kettle Falls, Washington
August 1940
1/5 39 August 23, 1940
1/5 40
The Wellpinit sailing on the lower Spokane River in the vicinity of Camp Spokane
September 15, 1940
1/5 41
Camp Spokane workers wearing life jackets with supplies on a barge preparing to be towed by the Wellpinit
October 9, 1940
1/5 42-44 October 1940
1/6 45
The Wellpinit passing cliff face of the Spokane River Narrows
November 20, 1940
1/6 46-47 November 20, 1940
1/6 48
The Wellpinit passing through the Spokane River Narrows
November 20, 1940
1/6 49 November 26, 1940
Boat Construction
Box/Folder item
1/6 50 between 1938 and 1941
1/6 51
Men constructing a power barge on the banks of the Columbia River
December 15, 1938
1/6 52 January 1, 1939
1/6 53
Two workmen standing under the hull of a power barge under construction on the banks of the Columbia River
between 1938 and 1939
1/6 54 1939?
1/7 55-56
WPA workers constructing tugs in a boat factory near Camp Lincoln
WPA (photographer)
January 11, 1940
1/7 57 April 1941
1/7 58 April 28, 1941
The power barge Paul Bunyan
Box/Folder item
1/7 59
Wooden frame of the barge Paul Bunyan under construction on the bank of the forebay above the Grand Coulee Dam
November 1938
1/7 60
Men working atop the wooden frame of the barge Paul Bunyan
From attached material: The six hour shifts of WPA workers are rushing through construction of the 64 foot diesel powered boat in course of construction on the east bank of the forebay immediately above Grand Coulee Dam. Two 100 horsepower diesel engines will be installed this week (November 1938) and the hull is now 80% completed. The boat to be used for clearing work on the extensive area of the 151 mile future lakebed of the Grand Coulee reservoir. The backwater of the dam has already risen 30 feet and extends 30 miles up the Columbia River.
November 1938
1/7 61
The barge Paul Bunyan under construction with workers around and within the wooden frame
November 1938
1/7 62 December 15, 1938
1/7 63a-b
Men working on the barge Paul Bunyan; the hull is complete and the cabin is under construction
Bureau of Reclamation (photographer)
63a is cropped version of 63b.From attached material of 63a: Letter from G. M. Cole, Supervising Engineer to G. P. Weber, Director, Division of Operations reads: Enclosed please find 2 negatives taken by the Bureau of Reclamation on the 15th of this month, and showing views of the Power Barge now rapidly nearing completion. The Bureau photographer will take pictures at more frequent intervals until such time as the boat is put into water.
December 15, 1938
1/8 64-65 January 1939
1/8 66
Don Abel and Frank A. Banks with other officials standing in front of the barge Paul Bunyan on the day of its launching
Written on photo: Mr. Abel and officials at launching of Paul Bunyan.
January 4, 1939
1/8 67
Officials observing the barge Paul Bunyan being launched into the forebay of the Grand Coulee Dam
January 4, 1939
1/8 68
Interior of the barge Paul Bunyan with the Grand Coulee Dam under construction in the background
January 1939
1/8 69 March 1, 1939
1/8 70 1939?
1/8 71
The barge Paul Bunyan tied up to shore of the Columbia River with a compressed air machine on deck and a boat alongside
1939
1/8 72
Three workers air-drilling anchors for a boom on a rock bank of the Columbia River with the deck of the Paul Bunyan in the foreground
1939
1/9 73
The barge Paul Bunyan near shore with a boat alongside
1939?
1/9 74
Helmsman of the barge Paul Bunyan in the pilot house
Bureau of Reclamation (photographer)
April 23, 1939
1/9 75 between 1939 and 1941
1/9 76
The barge Paul Bunyan hauling lumber in rough waters on the Columbia River
between 1939 and 1941
1/9 77-78 June 13, 1941
1/9 79-80
The barge Paul Bunyan sailing on the Columbia River above Rickey Rapids
June 13, 1941
1/9 81
The barge Paul Bunyan navigating the Columbia River opposite the Sherman Creek outlet above Rickey Rapids
June 13, 1941
1/9 82
Lines of workers leaving the barge Paul Bunyan and climbing a hill toward Camp Gerome
From attached material: Two hundred hungry men are shown here hustling off of the Paul Bunyan at the close of a heavy day of clearing and are filing up the bank to Camp Gerome and a good dinner. In a year it will not be possible to make this climb as water will be over the top of this bank. Gerome Ferry, loaded with another group of workers, is seen in midstream. Bulldozer on the Paul Bunyan is being hauled from clearing operations.Label attached to photo may be inaccurate (no bulldozer on Paul Bunyan, Gerome Ferry is not in the photo).
1940?
1/10 83 March 27, 1940
1/10 84-85 between 1939 and 1941
The floating work camp Camp Ferry
Box/Folder item
1/10 86 1939
1/10 87 1939
1/10 88
Camp Ferry being towed past a ferry landing on the Columbia River
1939
1/10 89 April 23, 1939
1/10 90-94 1939
1/11 95
Camp Ferry tied up to shore and the barge Paul Bunyan behind it
1939
1/11 96 1939
1/11 97 April 19, 1939
1/11 98
Camp Ferry toilets being hauled onto the deck of the barge Paul Bunyan
April 1939
1/11 99
Camp Ferry at anchor on the Columbia River above Camp Lincoln
1939
1/11 100-102 1939
1/11 103 April 19, 1939
1/12 104 1939
1/12 105
Workers loading pre-fabricated panels onto a waiting ship, likely part of Camp Ferry
April 23, 1939
1/12 106
Camp Ferry at winter mooring with road, cars, and large store of wood seen on shore
From attached material: From here men are taken to work with the Blue Ox and barges. This camp has been newly painted, aluminum with black trim and is very attractive.
January 1, 1940
1/12 107
Camp Ferry at anchor on the shore of Rattlesnake Canyon
August 30, 1940
1/12 108 October 9, 1940
1/12 109
Camp Ferry at anchor with tent barrack at base of the hill on shore
1940?
1/12 110
Camp Ferry reflected on the surface of the water of Coulee Lake
From attached material: The camp's dispensary is located on the foreground end of this barge; stairs lead up the supervisor's quarters.
October 9, 1940
1/12 111 1940?
1/12 112 1940?
1/13 113
Camp Ferry workers returning to camp eight miles above the Coulee Dam
From attached material: Clearing tools which they carry are checked in at a tool house on one of the smaller barges in foreground.
1940?
1/13 114 April 19, 1939
1/13 115
Camp Ferry workers disembarking from small boat, one man holding out the camp ensign
April 19, 1939
1/13 116
Man standing on small boat holding out the ensign of the work camp Camp Ferry
From attached material: White background, with wood tick in upper right hand corner, and rattlesnake diagonally across. "F" is for "Ferry".
between 1939 and 1941
1/13 117
Workers departing from a barge towed by the tug Blue Ox to walk back to Camp Ferry
October 9, 1940
1/13 118-119 November 26, 1940
1/13 120
Camp Ferry workers boarding a barge towed by the tug Blue Ox at the end of a day of work
November 26, 1940

WPA Clearing OperationsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/14 121
Three men felling a tree from a raft because of rapidly rising water
April 19, 1939
1/14 122
Men working in cleared field of felled logs in the reservoir area above the dam
From attached material: General view of clearing activities in reservoir area above dam. Everything is burned except for merchantable timber 6 inches and larger in diameter. This is transported to sawmills and cut into lumber.
November 21, 1939
1/14 123
Field of stumps and debris
between 1939 and 1941
1/14 124 between 1939 and 1941
1/14 125
Large tree being felled at Camp Gerome
between 1939 and 1941
1/14 126
Two workers felling a large tree
between 1939 and 1941
1/14 127 March 27, 1940
1/14 128
Team of two bucker-fallers from Camp Gifford chopping an undercut into a yellow pine tree
October 9, 1940
1/14 129 October 9, 1940
1/15 130 October 9, 1940
1/15 131
Crew of men from Camp Gifford cutting a felled yellow pine to size and chopping off tree limbs
October 9, 1940
1/15 132
Men working around field of felled logs
between 1939 and 1941
1/15 133-135 1941?
1/15 136-139
WPA and Bureau of Reclamation officials gathered to observe two WPA workers fell the last yellow pine remaining in the Camp Gifford area
From attached material on 139: Standing beside the tree which was felled along the old river highway on a flat midway between the towns of Rice and Daisy are, from left to right: H.M. Sheerer of the Bureau of Reclamation, W. L. Radke, General Superintendent of the Columbia River Reservoir Clearing project, Lou Wagner, assistant Superintendent of Camp Gifford and Austin Welch, Superintendent of Camp Gifford. Camp Gifford has been dismantled. Water is slowly coming up and covering the site.
1941
1/16 140-143 July 19, 1941
1/16 144-145
Camp Ferry workers cutting and piling sage on the bank of Coulee Lake
1940?
1/16 146 March 29, 1939
1/16 147-149
Men operating tractor pulling hydraulic controlled equipment to build and maintain roads on the clearing project
November 11, 1939
1/17 150 November 12, 1939
1/17 151
Man operating a Caterpillar tractor through brush on the Columbia River clearing project
Written on photo: Heigh Ho! It's off to work we go! and from Camp Gifford for another day of grinding toil.
between 1939 and 1941
1/17 152a-b March 1940
1/17 153 1941?
1/17 154
Man on tractor and other men moving logs to stack them for pickup with tractor with an A-frame in the background
between 1939 and 1941
1/17 155
Men stacking and preparing merchantable timber with one log being hauled up by a tractor with an A-frame
between 1939 and 1941
1/17 156 October 9, 1940
1/17 157
Man operating a tractor with an arch hauling logs across a field stacked with logs and debris
From attached material: Arches or sulkies picking up piles of decked logs and delivering them to the river bank, where they are taken over by the contractor.
between 1939 and 1941
1/17 158 1941?
1/17 159
Man driving tractor dragging merchantable timber with another man pushing the log along behind
between 1939 and 1941
1/18 160 January 25, 1940
1/18 161
Workers operating tractors dragging and stacking logs near Daisy, Washington
between 1939 and 1941
1/18 162 October 9, 1940
1/18 163
First log being plunged into the lower Spokane River in the river's first ever log drive
From attached material: The first log takes the plunge in the first log drive ever staged on the lower Spokane River, initiated early this week, when a crew of 50 WPA experienced river men rolled 125,000 feet of pine logs from the north bank of the river. The logs were decked for a quarter of a mile along the bank, three miles above the defunct Detillion bridge and comprise the first of ten million feet of marketable timber to be removed as part of the huge WPA project to clear the future lake-bed of the Grand Coulee Dam reservoir. The logs are being floated down stream to a huge log boom across the mouth of the river, at its junction with the Columbia. Here they will be made into log-rafts and floated down to the Lincoln Lumber Company mill, five miles down the Columbia. The mill has purchased the Coulee Dam reservoir cut.
June 1939
1/18 164-165 June 1, 1939
1/18 166-167 June 23, 1939
1/18 168
Three men rolling merchantable logs into the Columbia River
November 12, 1939
1/18 169-170 October 9, 1940
1/19 171-172
Crews of men rolling logs into the Spokane or Columbia River
between 1939 and 1941
1/19 173
Stacks of logs on the banks of the Spokane or Columbia River
between 1939 and 1941
1/19 174 between 1939 and 1941
1/19 175
Raft of logs being towed through rapids of the Columbia River on way to the Lincoln Lumber Company mill
October 20, 1939
1/19 176-177 October 20, 1939
1/19 178-179 between 1939 and 1941
1/19 180
Lincoln Lumber Company Mill lumber yard with stacks of boards cut from logs cut during the clearing project by the WPA
January 11, 1940
1/20 181-182 September 12, 1940
1/20 183a-b
Signalman from Camp Gerome standing on a stump to signal to a tractor with a rigging outfit to pull in a group of logs, near Oropothem Creek
183b is a cropped version.
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
September 13, 1940
1/20 184 October 9, 1940
1/20 185
Men securing a large stack of unmerchantable cottonwood logs in Wilmont Creek, five miles west of Camp Gerome
October 9, 1940
1/20 186 between 1939 and 1941
1/20 187
Two men looking at a large stack of unmerchantable timber
Written on photo: Timber of no value piled ready for burning.
between 1939 and 1941
1/20 188
Two men burning brush near Camp Lincoln
April 5, 1939
1/20 189 April 23, 1939
1/20 190-192
Men burning brush at the mouth of the Sanpoil River
Written on 192: Clearing in the San Poil swamps.
May 2, 1939
1/21 193
Brush, branches, and other debris being piled for burning along the lower Sanpoil River
September 1, 1939
1/21 194-197 November 21, 1939
1/21 198 between 1939 and 1941
1/21 199
Field debris arranged in piles and logs of merchantable timber on the right bank of the Columbia River below Camp Gifford, near Kettle Falls, Washington
August 30, 1940
1/21 200
Man on a tractor bunching together smoking remains of greasewood that has been burned above Coulee Lake, two miles above Grand Coulee Dam
October 9, 1940
1/21 201 October 9, 1940
1/21 202
Two men in a furnace pit for burning logs, with piles of logs and debris in the background
Written on photo: Furnace pit ready to filled with logs for burning, Such pits are necessary to provide draft. From accompanying material: Where steep hillsides or gullies are present, these "furnaces" are unnecessary.
between 1939 and 1941
1/21 203
Bulldozer pushing logs into a furnace pit burning unmerchantable timber, near the mouth of the Kettle River
December 21, 1940
2/1 204 1940?
2/1 205
Men standing around a tractor with a field of stumps and logs being burned behind them at Camp Gerome
between 1939 and 1941
2/1 206 between 1939 and 1941
2/1 207
Aerial view of 500 cleared acres of land dotted with piles of debris ready for burning, below Rickey Rapids on the Columbia River
between 1939 and 1941
2/1 208
Men unloading boxes of dynamite from a truck across the Columbia River from Camp Gifford near Kettle Falls, Washington
From attached material: Dynamite is brought to the field blasting operation by specially marked trucks, unloaded into special boxes at safe distance from blasting.
August 30, 1940
2/1 209
Men carrying sacks of dynamite from the dynamite storage box to the field of blasting operations across the Columbia River from Camp Gifford near Kettle Falls, Washington
August 30, 1940
2/1 210-211
Crew of men digging holes under stumps that will be filled with dynamite across the Columbia River from Camp Gifford near Kettle Falls, Washington
From attached material of 211: Foreman Charles Slaymaker is seen standing at right. Piles of slash at left and right are to be burned together with the blasted stumps this fall.
August 30, 1940
2/1 212-214
Men placing sticks of dynamite in holes under stumps, across the Columbia River from Camp Gifford near Kettle Falls, Washington
From attached material of 214: Fifty sticks were required to lift this one. Roots of trees in this Columbia River country are large and long, because of the scarcity of water.
August, 1940?
2/2 215
Men wiring up dynamite to explode to blast out stumps across the Columbia River from Camp Gifford near Kettle Falls, Washington
August 30, 1940
2/2 216-217 August 30, 1940
2/2 218 August 30, 1940
2/2 219
Camp Gifford blasting crew foreman Charles Slaymaker examining remains of a blasted stump
From attached materials: These fragments have been thrown through the air for more than one thousand feet.
August 30, 1940
2/2 220
Men from Camp Gifford blasting crew examining root fragments of blasted stumps
From attached material: This is the result of fifty sticks of dynamite under a large yellow pine stump. Workmen are examining root fragments that will later be pulled out by tractor.
August 30, 1940
2/2 221
Man in cleared field pushing down a plunger with explosion in the background, fence and river beyond to the left
May 10, 1940
2/2 222
Aerial view of explosion with river below and cleared field piled with debris to be burned in the background, eight miles south of Camp Gerome
October 9, 1940
2/2 223 April, 1941?
2/2 224
Bulldozer and backhoe on rocky hillside working on a new highway between Kettle Falls and the new town of Marcus, Washington
April 28, 1941
2/2 225 June 27, 1941
2/2 226 June 27, 1941
2/3 227
WPA workers gathered around table and taking bowls of food for lunch
From attached material: Delivered hot from Lincoln Camp four miles away.
between 1939 and 1941
2/3 228a-b
Workers from Camp Gifford line up at a plywood table for lunch at 11 A.M., near Kettle Falls, Washington
From attached material: A sack lunch is brought out from camp together with coffee, soup, and pie.Photos are inverses of each other. 228b has been hand colored.
August 30, 1940
2/3 229 between 1939 and 1941
2/3 230
Cook stirring a large pot in tent kitchen while Camp Keller is being constructed
March 29, 1939
2/3 231
Three cooks of Camp Keller and camp superintendent Harry Fenton displaying trays of roast beef for the first meal served at newly completed Camp Keller
From attached material: Cooks from left to right: George N. Nikotitch, Ed Hanson, and Norman Chapman.
1939
2/3 232
Three camp bakers stand behind trays of pastries and rolls in the mess hall of Camp Keller
May 2, 1939
2/3 233 May 2, 1939
2/3 234
Camp Ferry workers seated in a mess hall at meal time
April 19, 1939
2/3 235
Two cooks in the kitchen of Camp Ferry with pots and plates behind them
June 20, 1939
2/3 236 October 9, 1940
2/3 237 October 9, 1940
2/4 238 November 26, 1940
2/4 239
Kitchen of Camp Gerome during meal time with cooks at center and waiters picking up refills of food to take back to the mess hall
October 9, 1940
2/4 240
Group of men gathered in the mess hall of Camp Gerome at 7:30 PM listening to orchestra while a weekly movie showing is being prepared
From attached material: Movie screen, two bed sheets, is seen furled on rafter above orchestra during the music session. Movie this evening was a mystery thriller.
October 9, 1940
2/4 241 1939 and 1941
2/4 242 May 20, 1939
2/4 243
Three men examining a puff ball on a table in the recreation room of Camp Gerome
From attached material: A giant puff ball [mushroom], found recently a mile north of Camp Gerome by clearing workers, is put on display at the camp's recreation hall. Although seldom growing larger than a good sized apple, this puff ball is 41.5" in circumference, 9.5" high and weighs 14.5lbs.
November 26, 1940
2/4 244
Six tents at the site where a permanent Camp Lincoln will be built, house at right with large stacks of firewood in front
December 1938?
2/4 245 January 20, 1939
2/4 246
Field where Camp Lincoln will be constructed with foundations of some structures completed
1938
2/4 247 1938?
2/4 248-249
Aerial view showing construction of Camp Lincoln with completed buildings and further construction and piles of lumber to the left
December 1938?
2/5 250 December 1938?
2/5 251
Aerial view of Camp Lincoln nearing completion with many buildings intact with some construction ongoing at the far left
From attached material: Long buildings in foregrounds are garages and repair shops, built from lumber salvaged from abandoned buildings.
February 1, 1939
2/5 252
Man with bandaged foot in bed in the infirmary of Camp Lincoln
From attached material: View of ward in infirmary at Camp Lincoln with patient who cut his foot with an adze while working on boat construction.
May 17, 1939
2/5 253 April 26, 1941
2/5 254
Newly completed Camp Keller on the first day of occupancy by workers
May 2, 1939
2/5 255 June 20, 1939
2/5 256
Man behind car viewing site of future Camp Gerome with pre-fabricated panels from Camp Lincoln at right and left
April 12, 1939
2/5 257
Men removing debris from the site where Camp Gerome will be constructed and placing sills for the foundations of the barracks
From attached material: Placing the first sills for the barracks at the WPA Coulee Dam clearing project camp at Gerome. Note tree dotted areas of the Columbia River Valley in the background, which will later be inundated with the waters of the rising 151 mile Coulee Dam reservoir.The trees and other movable debris, which might threaten the dam or navigation, will be removed by WPA crews to be housed in this and other camps at Lincoln, Keller, Kettle Falls, lower Spokane River, etc.
July 1, 1939
2/5 258
Workers unloading a pre-fabricated section of roof shipped from Camp Lincoln for the construction of Camp Gerome
From attached material: Approximately 350 men will be accommodated in this camp.
July 1, 1939
2/5 259
Don G. Abel and Jay J. Kalex standing beside Camp Gerome flagpole with completed camp behind them
October 17, 1939
2/5 260
Workers aboard Gerome Ferry as it lands at Camp Gerome with other workers walking up the hill to camp in the background
From accompanying material: Aboard the diesel powered side wheeler Gerome ferry as it makes a landing at foot of Camp Gerome. Workers seen going up trail to camp are from Bunyan that landed a few minutes earlier at left of picture. Ferry operator is seen in this control cabin at left. Sign "Brewster Ferry" at right is name of former owner.
August 22, 1940
2/5 261
Aerial view looking north of Camp Gerome on the banks of the Columbia River
Morgan Fitz (photographer)
Scanned from negative.
April 26, 1941
2/5 262 April 26, 1941
2/6 263
Remains of Camp Gerome on the shores of the rising Oropothem Creek with the Gerome Ferry to the left
From attached material: The Gerome ferry, seen moored in the creek's outlet, will continue in service as rising backwater covers the site of 21-month-old Camp Gerome where some 500 WPA workers were housed during the clearing projects in this area. Most of the camp buildings have been dismantled and moved further north to increase the operations at Camp Kettle near Kettle Falls on the upper Columbia and Kettle Rivers.
1941
2/6 264-265 1939
2/6 266
Man descending hill holding a rope with other men below installing Camp Gifford water supply pump
From attached material: Pump will be transferred to a traveling pump house when water rises next May. Pump house will be mounted on wheels and drawn up inclined rails shown by cable and winch.
January 11, 1940
2/6 267
Water pump house at Camp Gifford with view of staircase built into hill behind it with workers standing at intervals
From attached material: There is no worry at Camp Gifford that their water pumping station at river level below camp will be inundated by the rising water. As the river backs up the station will be pulled up the bank on a track by cable. High water will come to approximately where the second worker from the top stands. This long, steep stairway - 195 steps - to the pumping station has been dubbed "Angels' Leap" by camp workers.
December 21, 1940
2/6 268
Camp Gifford seen from behind trees in the foreground
January 11, 1940
2/6 269 July 23, 1940
2/6 270
Infrared aerial view looking south of the Columbia River below Camp Gifford
Morgan Fitz (photographer)
Scanned from negative
April 26, 1941
2/6 271
Men constructing wooden bases for buildings at Camp Kettle
1939
2/6 272 1939
2/6 273
View of Camp Kettle, parking lot, and surrounding houses, with forest and mountain in the background
October 20, 1939
2/6 274 between 1939 and 1940
2/6 275 June 27, 1941
2/7 276
Two buildings of Camp Kettle next to the Columbia River
between 1939 and 1940
2/7 277 between 1939 and 1940
2/7 278
View of Camp Kettle looking south
between 1939 and 1940
2/7 279-282 1940
2/7 283-285
Aerial views of Camp Kettle from various directions with tent barracks visible
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
From attached material of 283: Shops and garages are located at the right, mess hall and office in the top center camp area. At this time the camp had facilities for housing and feeding 1,330 men, 250 of which were domiciled in the tent group seen at the top left camp area.Attached to back of 285 is the text of a letter to WPA Administrator John M. Carmody dated September 5, 1941 detailing information about Camp Kettle and Coulee Clearance Project work camps.
April-September, 1941
2/7 286a
Aerial view of Camp Kettle looking north
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
Scanned from negative.
April 17, 1941
2/7 286b
View of Camp Kettle looking northeast
April 17, 1941
2/7 287
Aerial view of Camp Kettle looking south
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
Scanned from negative
June 23, 1941
2/8 288
Tents of Camp Detillion with a large pile of wood in the center of camp
1941
2/8 289
Tents of Camp Detillion with view of cleared Spokane River valley in the background
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
From attached material: Camp Detillion, a small clearing camp during the final days of clearing operations in this area is seen this view looking east.
June 27, 1941
2/8 290
Tents barracks of Camp Detillion
From attached material: Mess hall is at right in foreground, offices and garage at right background. The Spokane River is seen in distance at left.
November 26, 1940
2/8 291
Tents of Camp Little Falls on the north bank of the Spokane River
From attached material: Most of the tent quarters for the camp's personnel of 125 men are seen at the right. The prefabricated type of building at the left accommodates dining room, kitchen, storeroom and office.
1941
2/8 292
Dirt road leading up to the tents of Camp Little Falls on the bank of the Spokane River at right
1941
2/8 293 1941
2/8 294
Shoreline of the Spokane River in the foreground with view of Camp Little Falls in far background
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
June 27, 1941
2/8 295
Double wall of a root house at one of the camps of the WPA Coulee Clearance Project
From attached material: Showing double log wall of root house, which will be filled with dry earth to make interior frost proof.
November 25, 1939
2/8 296 between 1939 and 1941
2/8 297-298
Large group of workers walking uphill to WPA clearing operations camp
between 1939 and 1941
2/8 299
Line of workers walking along a dirt road with men in foreground observing and a cameraman to the right
From attached material: WPA workers returning for dinner after a hard day's clearing in remote areas along the Columbia River. Just above dam.
between 1939 and 1941
2/9 300
Cleared field marking the former site of Keller, Washington
1939?
2/9 301
Building being dismantled in Peach, Washington
From attached material: First building to be demolished in the project to clear the Grand Coulee backwater area is this church at Peach, now being wrecked by WPA workers.
October 2, 1938
2/9 302
Building near the banks of the Columbia River near the town of Peach, Washington
between 1938 and 1941
2/9 303 March 4, 1941
2/9 304
Cleared field of land, formerly the site of the town of Peach
Written on photo: Toward Hawk Creek, showing site of former town of Peach, now inundated.
1941
2/9 305
Stacks of lumber with the town of Lincoln in the background before the area was flooded
1939-1941
2/9 306
Burning house near the site of Camp Lincoln
From attached material: One of first early settler's houses in the path of the WPA clearing project crews, near Camp Lincoln. All stumps, unsaleable trees and other combustible debris are burned as the WPA crews move up the banks of the Columbia River above Ground Coulee dam, preparing the future lake bed of the 151 mile Coulee Dam Reservoir.
April 10, 1939
2/9 307
Several houses at the top of a hill at the site of Fort Spokane
between 1939 and 1941
2/9 308
Town of Inchelium on the banks of the Columbia River
Written on photo: Indian town of Inchelium will be moved to higher ground.
1939?
2/9 309
Inchelium High School gymnasium being hauled away with the Gifford-Inchelium ferry crossing the Columbia River in the foreground
From attached material: Cut in sections and loaded on dollies the Inchelium High School gymnasium, last building to be removed in the old town, is shown on the road leading out of the old town and up to the new town site above high water mark of backwater of the Columbia River. Clearing for the lake is shown as completed in this scene. Water will cover the area up to the timber line in the back.
1939?
2/10 310
Postmaster E. J. Gifford holding set of scales and looking at the empty shelves of his general store, Gifford, Washington
From attached material: Mr. Gifford intends to build a new store above the back water line as soon as the new state highway is located. The present building, general store and post office which will be flooded by the back water is already being demolished.
April 12, 1939
2/10 311 June 27, 1941
2/10 312
Cleared lakebed south of the old town of Rice, Washington
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
June 27, 1941
2/10 313
Cleared area of land a mile north of the town of Rice, Washington
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
June 27, 1941
2/10 314
Man standing looking into a geological well-like formation near Kettle Falls, Washington
From attached material: According to old timers, Kettle Falls obtained its name from the numerous kettle-like wells shown in the enclosed picture. These wells, caused by the action of gravel and water being swirled by the current and wearing holes into the solid rock reaching a depth of 10 to 20 feet. At high water according to old timers, they gave the appearance of steaming kettles. Fast water rushing across them and throwing up spray as it swirled into the openings.
1939?
2/10 315 November 26, 1938
2/10 316-318 September 26, 1938
2/10 319-320
Mr. A. H. Smythe and Mrs. Smythe being interviewed at the remains of their old home in Kettle Falls, Washington before it is inundated by the backing up of the Coulee Dam Reservoir
From attached material on both: "Let 'er come," says A. H. Smythe an old timer at Kettle Falls, "I've got me a piece of ground back yonder from the high water mark, and I've got most of my house already built on it." . . . "The water can't get here too quick to suit me," says Mr. Smythe. "It will be just like living on a lake then."
April 12, 1939
2/11 321
Western Pine Mill on the banks of the Columbia River across from the town of Kettle Falls, Washington
1939?
2/11 322
Burning remains of the White Pine Lumber Company reflecting on the water of the Columbia River, across the river from Kettle Falls, Washington
From attached material: Machinery and parts of the buildings of the mill property, largest saw mill on the Columbia River, were previously removed to a new location on higher ground. Purchased by the Bureau of Reclamation and turned over to the WPA for demolition, this mill was located . . . below high water mark of the lake that is being formed by backwater of the Columbia River behind Grand Coulee Dam.
1939?
2/11 323 March 4, 1941
2/11 324
View of new Marcus on the bank of the Columbia River with Mayor F. E. "Sunny" Horn at left with old Marcus, bridge, and land cleared by the WPA in the background
From attached material: "There will always be a Marcus", F. E. "Sunny" Horn, Mayor of Marcus since 1932, wants you to know. He points to the new site on a bench well above high water mark of the lake being formed behind Grand Coulee Dam on which there is already a new grade and high school, a church in the building, a dozen homes moved up from old Marcus ... a water company's well and land cleared for a super-market.
1941?
2/11 325-326 March 31, 1941
2/11 327
Aerial view of the old town of Marcus with bridge across the Columbia River with land cleared by the WPA in the background
1941?
2/11 328 March 31, 1941
2/11 329-330 June 23, 1941
2/12 331
Mayor F. E. "Sunny" Horn of Marcus points to the new town of Marcus, the U.S. Gypsum Company and the Spokane-Portland Cement Company beyond
1941?
2/12 332
James Mullen and his wife in their railroad yard restaurant, the Beanery, with son Charles seated at the counter in Marcus, Washington
From attached material: One of the last meals served in the Marcus railroad yard restaurant ... before closing the doors for the last time on March 20th.
1941
2/12 333
Postmaster I. T. Peterson making out a money order in Marcus, Washington
From attached material: She plans to keep right on with her job after the Marcus Post Office, last one to be moved on the river, goes to New Marcus between April 35th and May 1st.
1941
2/12 334 1941
2/12 335 1941?
2/12 336 1941?
2/12 337 March 23, 1941
2/12 338 March 23, 1941
2/12 339 March 23, 1941
2/12 340
Great Northern Railroad conductor J. R. Bell with Marcus Mayor F. E. "Sunny" Horn, pointing at the railroad bridge that crosses the Columbia River at Marcus, Washington
1941?
2/13 341 1941
2/13 342 1941
2/13 343 1941
2/13 344 1941
2/13 345 1941
2/13 346-347 1941
2/13 348
Workers dismantling the Immigration Station, Marcus, Washington
From attached material: ...the Immigration Station which was used by the railroad as a railway station since the removal of the regular station to the town of Kettle Falls three months ago. Marcus old timers remember boom days for the railroad thirty years ago when the Immigration Service had three and four interpreters, a doctor, and several inspectors to handle the large number of Hindus, Chinese and European immigrants coming into this country from Canada on this line.
1941
2/13 349 1941
2/13 350-351 1941
2/14 352 1941
2/14 353a
WPA workers gathering combustible material while preparing an old house to be burned, Marcus, Washington
1941
2/14 353b
Burning building in path of dam construction
May, 1939
2/14 354 1941
2/14 355-356 1941
2/14 357 1941
2/14 358-359 1941

Landscape Prior to InundationReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
2/15 360
Juncture where the Columbia River meets the mouth of the Spokane River
between 1938 and 1941
2/15 361 between 1938 and 1941
2/15 362-363
Nee Bridge across the Spokane River being inundated with rising water at Lincoln, Washington
Written on 362: lines drawn on photo showing high water line
1941?
2/15 364 1941?
2/15 365
Spokane River one and a half miles north of Lincoln, Washington
Written on verso: Proposed bridge site across state highway
between 1938 and 1941
2/15 366
Spokane River three miles south of future site of Spokane River Bridge
1938?
2/15 367 October 26, 1938
2/15 368
Detillion Bridge across Spokane River
between 1938 and 1941
2/15 369-371
Spokane Narrows along the Spokane River
371 has been hand colored.
between 1938 and 1941
2/15 372
Spokane River eight miles upstream from the river mouth
between 1938 and 1941
2/16 373
Spokane River Valley near Camp Detillion
August 23, 1940
2/16 374 May 15, 1941
2/16 375-376 May 1941
2/16 377
Washington Water Power Company hydroelectric plant at Little Falls on the Spokane River
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
From attached material: The Little Falls hydroelectric plant of the Washington Water Power Company at Little Falls is the approximate up-river boundary of WPA clearing operations of WPA crews toward Camp Little Falls. The reservoir combines with Columbia River backwater behind Grand Coulee Dam and will eventually come up to approximately this point.
June 13, 1941
2/16 378
Cleared area on the Spokane River with piles of debris ready for burning by WPA clearing crews
October 20, 1939
2/16 379-383 between 1938 and 1941
3/1 384
Columbia River near Coyote Rapids
between 1938 and 1941
3/1 385 between 1938 and 1941
3/1 386 between 1938 and 1941
3/1 387
Snowy Columbia River Valley with Columbia River in background, fifteen miles above the Grand Coulee Dam
between 1938 and 1941
3/1 388
Mouth and delta of the Sanpoil River, seventeen miles above the Grand Coulee Dan
between 1938 and 1941
3/1 389
Aerial view of Sanpoil River and Valley north of the Columbia River
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
July 30, 1938
3/1 390
Columbia River near Hellgate Rapids
between 1938 and 1941
3/1 391
Hellgate Rapids on the Columbia River during winter
between 1938 and 1941
3/1 392
Number not used
3/1 393 between 1938 and 1941
3/1 394-395
Columbia River approaching Whitestone Rock
between 1938 and 1941
3/2 396
Whitestone Rock on the Columbia River
Written on photo: View taken from boat deck, M. S. Paul Bunyan
1939?
3/2 397 September 15, 1939
3/2 398 1941?
3/2 399
Man overlooking bend of the Columbia River five miles below Camp Gerome
October 17, 1939
3/2 400
Aerial view of the Columbia River looking south above Camp Gerome
Morgan Fitz (photographer)
Scanned from negative.
April 26, 1941
3/2 401
Aerial view looking south of the Columbia River above Camp Gerome
Morgan Fitz (photographer)
Scanned from negative
April 26, 1941
3/2 402-403
Bend of the Columbia River with banks cleared by WPA workers, one mile north of Hunter, Washington
From attached material of 403: The lake will be at least three times as wide as the river now is at this point.
May 15, 1941
3/2 404 April 28, 1941
3/2 405
Bend of the Columbia River between the towns of Hunters and Cedonia, Washington
between 1938 and 1941
3/2 406
Bend of the Columbia River near Cedonia, Washington
between 1938 and 1941
3/2 407 between 1938 and 1941
3/2 408
Stretch of the Columbia River between the towns of Hunter and Inchelium, Washington
between 1938 and 1941
3/3 409
Cliff face on the banks of the Columbia River with the river in the foreground, three miles south of Gifford, Washington
between 1938 and 1941
3/3 410 between 1938 and 1941
3/3 411
Rickey Rapids on the Columbia River with trees in foreground
August 26, 1938
3/3 412
Rickey Rapids on the Columbia River
June 1940
3/3 413-414 May 1, 1941
3/3 415
Backwater from the Grand Coulee Dam reservoir rising up the Colville River Valley
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
June 23, 1941
3/3 416
Aerial view of the Colville River outlet with cleared land on the right
Morgan Fitz (photographer)
Scanned from negative.
June 23, 1941
3/3 417
Kettle Falls emergency landing field
From attached material: Emergency landing field constructed by WPA labor - will border on edge of water of lake area - can be converted into land and seaplane base.
September 26, 1938
3/3 418-421 October 26, 1938
3/4 422-423
Kettle Falls rapids on the Columbia River
From attached material on 422: Many Indian graves were removed from this area and transferred to a cemetery near Inchelium.
June 10, 1940
3/4 424-425
Aerial view of Kettle Falls rapids on the Columbia River and Marcus flats beyond
425 is hand-colored.
between 1938 and 1941
3/4 426
Rapids formed by the first of the three cascades of Kettle Falls on the Columbia River
Written on photo: First and widest of the trio forming Kettle Falls.
between1938 and 1941
3/4 427-433 between 1938 and 1941
3/5 434
Aerial view of Kettle Falls Bridge over the Columbia River with Kettle Falls rapids beyond
1938?
3/5 435-437 1938
3/5 438-440 April 1941
3/5 441-442 April, 1941
3/5 443-444 April 1941
3/6 445
Three bridges over the Columbia River with Kettle Falls rapids beyond
From attached material: The backwater of the lake will reach to the deck of the old highway bridge, the lowest bridge of the three.
April 28, 1941
3/6 446-447 May and June, 1941
3/6 448 June 6, 1940
3/6 449 June 6, 1940
3/6 450
Cliffs on the banks of the Kettle River with bridge in background, thirteen miles north of Kettle Falls, Washington
between 1938 and 1941
3/6 451-453
Cleared area of Marcus Flats with Columbia River in the background
Morgan Fitz, Camp Kettle (photographer)
May and June, 1941
3/6 454 between 1939 and 1941
3/6 455
Bend of the Columbia River between towns of Marcus and Bossburg, Washington
between 1939 and 1941
3/6 456
Hill on the banks of the Columbia River above Marcus, Washington with bridge in the far distance
between 1939 and 1941
3/6 457 February 1940
3/6 458
Stretch of the upper Columbia River with mountains in background
February 1940
3/7 459
Stretch of the Columbia River and road to right
between 1939 and 1941
3/7 460
Cliffs covered with pine trees on the shore of the Columbia River
From attached material: Photographed from the Paul Bunyan.
September 1, 1939
3/7 461-462 between 1938 and 1941
3/7 463-464
Stretch of road with site of Little Dalles rapids on the Columbia River in background
between 1938 and 1941
3/7 465-470
Little Dalles rapids on the Columbia River
465, 469, 470 have been hand colored.
between 1938 and 1941
3/8 471
Stretch of the Columbia River between the towns of Marble and Northport, Washington
between 1938 and 1941
3/8 472-474 between 1938 and 1941
3/8 475
Aerial view of countryside around Steamboat Rock, Washington
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 10, 1938

Aerial Views of Grand Coulee Dam AreaReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
3/8 476
Columbia River bisecting Mason City and Engineers' Town with excavation work at site of Grand Coulee cofferdams in background
Wallace Aerial Surveys (photographer)
April 1, 1936
3/8 477
Site of Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River with initial construction starting on the banks
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 16, 1936
3/8 478
Airfield and quarry outside Mason City and Engineers' Town, Washington, with dam construction in the background
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 16, 1936
3/8 479
Concrete being laid in foundations forms at site of Grand Coulee Dam
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 16, 1936
3/9 480-482
Construction site of Grand Coulee Dam
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
March 16, 1937
3/9 483 March 16, 1937
3/9 484
Columbia River bisecting Mason City and Engineers' Town and surrounding shack towns and countryside
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
March 16, 1937
3/9 485a
Towns and countryside surrounding Grand Coulee, Washington
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 18, 1937
3/9 485b
Towns and countryside surrounding Grand Coulee, Washington
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 18, 1937
3/9 486
Columbia River bisecting Mason City and Engineers' Town with construction of Grand Coulee Dam in the foreground
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 18, 1937
3/9 487
Grand Coulee Dam under construction
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 18, 1937
3/9 488
Brett Pit quarry site with airfield in the foreground near Grand Coulee, Washington
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
March 20, 1938
3/10 489
Grand Coulee Dam under construction with Mason City and Engineers' Town in the foreground
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
July 30, 1938
3/10 490
West Powerhouse site on the bank of the Columbia River at the site of Grand Coulee Dam Construction
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
July 30, 1938
3/10 491-492
Aerial views of vicinity of Grand Coulee, Washington
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 10, 1938
3/10 493
Grand Coulee Dam under construction with Mason City, Engineers' Town, and mountains in the background
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
October 18, 1938
3/10 494
West Powerhouse site on the bank of the Columbia River at the site of Grand Coulee Dam Construction
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
October 18, 1938
3/10 495
Towns and landscape surrounding Grand Coulee Dam with Dam in foreground at right
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
April 15, 1939
3/10 496
Columbia River bisecting Mason City and Engineers' Town on the edge of Grand Coulee Dam with landscape in background
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
April 15, 1939
3/10 497-500
Grand Coulee Dam and construction site
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
April 15, 1939
3/11 501
Columbia River above Grand Coulee Dam with Mason City, Engineers' Town, and landscape beyond
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
September 7, 1939
3/11 502-503
Grand Coulee Dam under construction with Mason City and Engineers' Town in foreground
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
February 14, 1940
3/11 504
Grand Coulee Dam with construction sites on either bank and tractors working on top of the dam
116th Photo Section, 41st Division Aviation, Washington National Guard (photographer)
February 14, 1940

Grand Coulee Dam Construction SiteReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
3/11 505
Columbia River bisecting towns of Mason City and Engineers' Camp
K. S. Brown, Bureau of Reclamation (photographer)
1936?
3/11 506 1936?
3/11 507 1936?
3/11 508 1936?
mapcase
M271 509
Panorama of Columbia River passing through construction site of Grand Coulee Dam, Engineers' Town, and Mason City
K. S. Brown, Bureau of Reclamation (photographer)
Set of three photographs taped together.
Written in pencil on verso: From north bank looking south. G Asahel Curtis, 1942.
1936?
Box/Folder
3/11 510
Grand Coulee Dam construction site with some construction materials in the middle of the Columbia River
Bureau of Reclamation (photographer)
1936?
3/12 511-514 1936?
3/12 515
Excavation and construction of the Grand Coulee Dam cofferdams and foundations
Bureau of Reclamation (photographer)
1936?
3/12 516 between 1936 and 1941
3/12 517 between 1936 and 1941
3/12 518
Water flowing through the completed base of the Grand Coulee Dam
Bureau of Reclamation (photographer)
1938?
3/12 519 April 23, 1939
3/12 520 between 1941 and 1942
3/12 521
Water flowing through the nearly completed Grand Coulee Dam with reservoir behind
Scanned from negative.
August 1941

Completed Grand Coulee DamReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
3/13 522
Electrical power station with Grand Coulee Dam in full operation in the background
1953
3/13 523-524 1953
3/13 525
Water flowing through the Grand Coulee Dam
between 1950 and 1960
3/13 526
Water flowing through the Grand Coulee Dam
Photographic Productions, Seattle (photographer)
Written on verso: Used in 1963 annual report.
between 1960 and 1970
3/13 527
Water flowing through Grand Coulee Dam with Engineers' Town in foreground at right
1955
3/13 528
Bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt at Grand Coulee Dam
Typed on verso: Bust of the late F.D.R. on the north end of the Coulee Dam. It faces Roosevelt Lake, named for him, because of his personal interest in the Coulee Dam and its plan to irrigate millions of acres of arid land.
Thompson (photographer)
1955
3/13 529 1942?
3/13 530 1968?

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • Columbia Basin Project (U.S.)--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.)--Aerial views
  • Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.)--Design and Construction--Aerial views
  • Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.)--Design and Construction--Photographs
  • Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.)--Photographs
  • Kettle Falls (Wash.)--Photographs
  • Marcus (Wash.)--Photographs