Archives West Finding Aid
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Green Lake Clean-up and Redesign Photographs, Between 1936 and 1937
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Green Lake Clean-up and Redesign Photographs
- Dates
- Between 1936 and 1937 (inclusive)19371937
- Quantity
- 7 photographs (1 folder)
- Collection Number
- PH1471
- Summary
- Photographs of a WPA project to clean up Green Lake between 1936 and 1937
- 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
-
Entire collection can be viewed on Libraries' Digital Collections Website. Permission of Visual Materials curator required to view original. Contact Special Collection for more information.
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
In the winter of 1936 a major WPA-funded clean-up of Seattle's Green Lake was undertaken. For decades, the lake had been subject to algae bloom and outbreaks of green scum and foul odor, causing "swimmer's itch" for many unfortunate swimmers. The massive project included dredging the lake, building an island (originally named Swan Island, now commonly called Duck Island) as a wildlife sanctuary, and building a water-aerating fountain in the middle of the lake (which was never built). In May of 1936, work on the project was halted, for a few months, due to an explosion on the dredge in May of 1936. Work on the project was stopped in September of 1937, with only one-quarter of completed, due to cost overruns and mismanagement. This project was partially successful in building a wildlife sanctuary(Swan Island), it also allowed the construction of a wading pool at the lake's north end. Finally, the project diverted spring water flowing off Phinney Ridge at the lake's southwest back into the lake, which helped to purify the water.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs of a WPA project to clean-up and redesign Seattle's Green Lake between 1936 and 1937
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital version of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Before dredging projectReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
1 | 1-2 | Between 1936 and 1937 |
Work during the projectReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
1 | 3 | Between 1936 and 1937 | |
1 | 4 | Between 1936 and 1937 | |
1 | 5 | Between 1936 and 1937 | |
1 | 6 | Between 1936 and 1937 | |
1 | 7 | Between 1936 and 1937 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Dredging--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Corporate Names
- United States. Works Progress Administration (Wash.)
Geographical Names
- Green Lake (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs