Missoula Light and Water Company Records

Missoula Light and Water Company Records, 1885-1909

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Missoula Light and Water Company
Title: Missoula Light and Water Company Records
Dates: 1885-1909 (inclusive)
18851909
Quantity: 4.0 linear feet, (26 volumes)
Collection Number: Mss 581
Summary: This collection consists of the ledgers of the Missoula Light and Water Company of Missoula, Montana, including customer records, daily reports, and correspondence from 1895 to 1909.
Repository: University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions: Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

In 1871, the first actual water system in Missoula, Montana, utilizing log pipes and wooden mains, began operating. In 1885, Worden and Company sold the water system to Missoula Water Works and Milling Company. The Missoula Mercantile bought the system in 1895 and renamed it the Missoula Water Company. In the early 1900s W.A. Clark purchased the Missoula Water Company which he combined with other holdings and in 1906 legally changed the name to the Missoula Light and Water Company. The Missoula Light and Water Company was purchased by the Montana Power Company in 1930.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of twenty-six ledgers, dated 1895 through 1909, which document the financial history of the Missoula Water Company in Missoula, Montana. The ledgers include customer payment records, some daily reports, a stock journal, check registers, an equipment ledger, and three letterpress books of correspondence.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Missoula Light and Water Company Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into two series

Series I: Financial Records, 3.5 linear feet, 1885–1909

Series II: Financial Correspondence, 0.5 linear feet, 1901–1906

Custodial History

Mountain Water Company donated this collection to the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in 1983. The Museum transferred some portions to the K. Ross Toole Archives in 1998 and the remainder in 2003.

Acquisition Information

Donated by the Historical Museum of Fort Missoula in 1998 and 2003

Processing Note

Processing combined two accessions of materials created by the same organization.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Financial Records, 1985-1909 Return to Top

3.5 linear feet

This series consists of 23 bound volumes of customer ledgers, cashbooks, daily reports, check registers, a stock journal, records of material sales, and an equipment ledger.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Volume
1	Missoula Water Works and Milling Company: Index Stock Journal	1885 – 1891
2	Missoula Water Company: Cash Book	1898
3	Missoula Water Company: Cash Book	1902 – 1903
4	Missoula Water Company: Cash Book	1903 – 1904
5	Missoula Water Company: Cash Book	1904
6	Missoula Water Company: Customer Ledger	1900
7	Missoula Water Company: Customer Ledger	1901
8	Missoula Water Company: Customer Ledger	1904
9	Missoula Water Company: Check Register	1902
10	Missoula Water Company: Equipment Ledger	1902
11	Missoula Water Company: Record of Material Sales	1903 - 1908
12	Missoula Water Company: Customer Ledger	n.d.
13	Missoula Water Company: Customer Ledger	n.d.
14	Missoula Water Company: Customer Ledger	n.d.
15	Missoula Water Company: Customer Ledger	n.d.
16	Missoula Water Company: Customer Ledger	n.d.
17	Missoula Water Company: Check Register	n.d.
18	Missoula Light and Water Company: Daily Reports	1901 - 1902
19	Missoula Light and Water Company: Customer Ledger	1905
20	Missoula Light and Water Company: Customer Ledger	1906
21	Missoula Light and Water Company: Customer Ledger	1907
22	Missoula Light and Water Company: Customer Ledger	1908
23	Missoula Light and Water Company: Customer Ledger	1909

Series II: Financial Correspondence, 1901–1906Return to Top

0.5 linear feet

This series contains three letterpress books consisting of financial correspondence to customers and business partners.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Volume
24	Missoula Water Company: Financial Correspondence	1901 - 1903
25	Missoula Water Company: Financial Correspondence	1902 - 1903
26	Missoula Water Company: Financial Correspondence	1904 - 1906

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Business records--Montana--Missoula
Water utilities--Montana--Missoula
Water-supply--Montana--Missoula

Other Creators

Corporate Names
- Missoula Water Company (author)
- Missoula Water Works and Milling Company (author)

Archives West Finding Aid

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