Photographs of Seattle City Light projects

Photographs of Seattle City Light projects, circa 1919-circa 1963

Overview of the Collection

Title: Photographs of Seattle City Light projects
Dates: circa 1919-circa 1963 (inclusive)
19191963
Quantity: 153 photographic prints (2 boxes) ; various sizes
Collection Number: PH1124
Summary: Photographs made to document the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, Seattle City Light buildings, projects and activities
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.
Additional Reference Guides
Languages: English
Sponsor: Funding for the processing of this collection was partially provided through grants awarded by Seattle City Light and IBEW Local 77.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Seattle's first hydroelectric project was on Cedar River, and the plant first generated power for the City in 1905, under the supervision of the City Water Department. By 1910, however, the City Council declared the need for a department solely focused on electricity, and Seattle City Light was created on April 1, 1910. The department's second superintendent, James Delmage Ross, is known as the "Father of City Light." Ross spearheaded the complex effort to build the three dams on the Skagit River which provide much of Seattle's electricity.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Includes photographs made to document the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project which included the construction of three dams: Gorge, Diablo, and Ross (originally known as Ruby). Also includes photographs of Seattle City Light offices, substations, powerlines, and etc.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Many of the photographs with photographer's numbers between 5,000 and 5,999 are probably by James P. Lee, the City of Seattle's photographer for many years.

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

Processing Note

Processed by Elizabeth Russell; processing completed in 2013.

Related Materials

The Seattle City Light Albums (PH Coll 45) document construction of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Skagit River Hydroelectric ProjectReturn to Top

The Skagit Hydroelectric Project was a series of three dams and powerhouse construction projects along the Skagit River in northern Washington State which began in 1918 and continued until the early 1960s. Construction on the three dams began with Gorge Dam and Powerhouse, dedicated in 1924. The second dam built was Diablo Dam, completed in 1930. The furthest upstream dam, originally named Ruby Dam but renamed Ross Dam after the death of James D. Ross, was completed in 1943. These dams currently create electricity and provide water storage for Seattle.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/1	1	Site of Gorge Powerhouse before construction (5001) Duplicate of item 1-18 in PH Coll 45 Seattle City Light Albums. Caption on photo: Gorge - Power House Site. Mile 16. Distance from Marblemont.	July 1, 1919
1/1	2	Plank walkway at Devil's Corner in Skagit Canyon below Gorge Creek (5002) Duplicate of item 1-39 in PH Coll 45 Seattle City Light Albums.	July 1, 1919
1/1	3	Skagit River at bend in river nick-named "Devil's Corner" (5003)	July 1, 1919
1/1	4	Snowslide Gulch near Gorge Powerhouse site (5004)	July 1, 1919
1/1	5	Boulders in the Skagit River (5005) Caption on photo: Giant Stepping Stones.	July 1, 1919
1/1	6	White water rapids in Skagit River (5006)	July 1, 1919
1/1	7	White water at proposed Gorge Dam site (5007)	July 1, 1919
1/1	8	White water rapids and boulders at proposed Gorge Dam site with man crossing river in hand-operated cable car (5008)	July 1, 1919
1/1	9	Skagit River near Gorge Dam site	circa July 1919
1/1	10	Skagit River at proposed Gorge Dam site showing wooden structure on bank (5009)	July 1, 1919
1/1	11	Log structure built as Gorge Camp Headquarters at Newhalem (5010)	July 1, 1919
1/2	12	Gorge Creek Canyon seen from the Skagit River (5013)	July 1, 1919
1/2	13	Steep canyon wall along the Skagit River (5014)	July 1, 1919
1/2	14	North bank of proposed Gorge Dam site (5015)	circa July 1919
1/2	15	Camp used during diamond drilling exploration for Gorge Dam site (5016)	circa July 1919
1/2	16	South bank of proposed Gorge Dam site (5017)	July 1, 1919
1/2	17	Skagit River and wooded bank, probably near dam site (5018)	circa 1919
1/2	18	Main building on Davis Ranch (5019) The Davis Ranch, a popular roadhouse,was condemned to make way for the Diablo Dam Hydroelectric Project.	circa 1919
1/2	19	Reflector Bar Ranger Station (5020)	June 30, 1919
1/2	20	Reflector Bar Gaging Station near Diablo Power House site (5021	June 30, 1919
1/2	21	Diablo Trail Bridge at site of Diablo Dam (5022)	June 30, 1919
1/3	22	Skagit River with Thunder Creek Watershed in distance (5023)	June 30, 1919
1/3	23	Diablo Canyon at site of Diablo Dam (5026) Duplicate of item 2-1 in PH Coll 45 Seattle City Light Albums.	June 30, 1919
1/3	24	Looking down on Skagit River at bend in river downstream of Ross Dam site (5027)	June 28, 1919
1/3	25	Skagit River at rapids known as Rip Raps, later the site of Ross Dam (5028)	June 28, 1919
1/3	26	Ruby Creek seen from trail above site of Ross Dam (5029)	June 28, 1919
1/3	27	Site of Ross Dam Powerhouse (5030)	June 28, 1919
1/3	28	Man at gauging station at Ross Dam Powerhouse site (5031)	June 28, 1919
1/3	29	Skagit Canyon downstream from Ross Dam site (5032)	June 28, 1919
1/3	30	Diamond drill machinery on Skagit River bank at site of Ross Dam (5033)	June 29, 1919
1/3	31	South bank of Ross Dam site (5034)	June 29, 1919
1/4	32	Worker next to diamond drill machinery on river bank at Ross Dam site (5035)	June 29, 1919
1/4	33	Detail view of diamond drill machinery on river bank at Ross Dam site (5036)	June 29, 1919
1/4	34	Mountainous terrain above Ross Dam site (5037)	July 28, 1919
1/4	35	River viewed from hill, probably near junction of Skagit River and Ruby Creek (5038)	circa 1919
1/4	36	Junction of Ruby Creek with Skagit River (5039) Caption on photo: Junction of Ruby Creek with Skagit River, Mile 28. Ruby Creek Trail Bridge, Shinkle Bridge in Distance.	June 29, 1919
1/4	37	Ruby Creek Trail Bridge and suspension bridge at junction of Ruby Creek and Skagit River (5040)	June 29, 1919
1/4	38	Junction of Skagit River and Ruby Creek, with ranch buildings at right (5041) McMillan's Roadhouse is at lower right. Two bridges are shown, one a cable suspension bridge across the Skagit River and the other temporary footbridge across Ruby Creek built during the Skagit hydroelectric construction project.	June 28, 1919
1/4	39	Site of Ruby Reservoir on Skagit River near McMillan Ranch	circa 1919
1/4	40	Wooded mountainside of Ruby Creek watershed (5043)	June 29, 1919
1/4	41	Tent camp and horses near junction of Skagit River and Ruby Creek	June 29, 1919
1/5	42	Ross Dam site from a distance (5045)	June 29, 1919
1/5	43	Upper Skagit Valley near Ross Dam site (5046)	June 29, 1919
1/5	44	Site of Gorge Powerhouse on Skagit River (5047)	October 21, 1919
1/5	45	Skagit River and wooded bank near site of Gorge Powerhouse (5048)	October 21, 1919
1/5	46	Gorge Powerhouse site (5049)	October 21, 1919
1/5	47	Skagit River near Gorge Powerhouse site (5050) Caption on photo: View near Mile 16.	October 21, 1919
1/5	48	Babcock Creek Falls (5051)	October 21, 1919
1/5	49	Skagit River (5052)	October 16, 1919
1/5	50-51	Skagit River and river bank (5053-5054)	October 16, 1919
1/6	52	Trees on river bank, possibly during timber cutting at Gorge Dam site (5056)	October 16, 1919
1/6	53	Skagit River (5057)	October 16, 1919
1/6	54	Skagit River rapids (5058)	October 16, 1919
1/6	55	Wooden suspension bridge across Skagit River and early construction work on Gorge Dam (5059)	October 17, 1919
1/6	56	Wooden bridges across Skagit River during early construction work on Gorge Dam (5060)	October 17, 1919
1/6	57	Wooden bridge across Skagit River during early construction work on Gorge Dam (5061)	October 17, 1919
1/6	58-59	Wooden bridge across Skagit River showing surveying tripods reached by ladder (5062-5063)	October 17, 1919
1/6	60	Wooden bridge across Skagit River showing surveying tripods with camp in background (5064)	October 17, 1919
1/6	61	River boulders and early construction activity (5065)	October 17, 1919
1/7	62	Men standing on makeshift wooden briges at dam site (5066)	October 22, 1919
1/7	63	Boulders in the Skagit River (5067) Caption on photo: Giant Stepping Stones.	October 21, 1919
1/7	64	Workers with wooden structures on Skagit River for preliminary dam construction work (5068)	October 19, 1919
1/7	65	Skagit River near Ross Dam site (5069)	October 19, 1919
1/7	66	Wooden structures on Skagit River at site of Ross Dam (5070)	October 19, 1919
1/7	67	Ladders on bank at Ross Dam site (5071)	October 19, 1919
1/7	68	Steep, rocky bank of Skagit River near Ross Dam site (5072)	October 19, 1919
1/7	69	Looking downstream from Ross Dam site, with wooden structures at right (5073)	October 19, 1919
1/7	70-71	Looking downstream at Ross Dam site	circa 1919
1/8	72	Bridge on Rocky Creek (5074)	October 23, 1919
1/8	73	Bridge over creek (5075) Caption on photo: Diobse.	October 23, 1919
1/8	74-76	Bridge over Bacon Creek (5076-5078)	October 23, 1919
1/8	77	Man standing on log bridge across Goodell Creek (5079)	October 23, 1919
1/8	78	River, probably the Skagit River or Ruby Creek	circa 1919
1/8	79	Intersection of Great Northern Railroad line and Seattle City Light rail line in Rockport (5080) Rockport Mercantile at left. The Great Northern Railroad line only extended as far as Rockport, so in 1919 Seattle City Light commissioned an extension of the line to the east to carry construction supplies to the sites of the Gorge Dam and Powerhouse.	August 13, 1920
1/8	80	Steam shovel used during construction of rail line from Rockport to Newhalem (5089)	August 11, 1920
1/8	81	Grant Smith Co. steam shovel at rocky curve overlooking Skagit River (5092)	August 11, 1920
2/1	82	Railroad trestle during construction of line from Rockport to Newhalem (5094)	August 11, 1920
2/1	83	Rocky grade along Skagit River (5098)	August 11, 1920
2/1	84	Workers stretched out on stumps of old growth trees cut during railroad construction (5099)	August 12, 1920
2/1	85	Tractor hauling logs in front of sawmill, west of Babcock Creek and Gorge Powerhouse site (5100)	August 12, 1920
2/1	86	Wooden suspension pedestrian bridge across Skagit River (5106)	August 12, 1920
2/1	87	Sawmill built to provide lumber for the Gorge Dam project (5108)	August 12, 1920
2/1	88	Worker standing at tunnel entrance, probably the west portal of the tunnel constructed to carry water from the Gorge Dam reservoir to the powerhouse (5109)	August 12, 1920
2/1	89	Man standing in front of turbine loaded on truck Sign on turbine reads: From the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Co., Cleveland, Ohio, Engineers and Manufacturers.	circa 1920-1924
2/1	90	Young man standing in front of Generator No. 1 in the Gorge Powerhouse	February 14, 1924
2/1	91	Visitors inside tunnel at junction (5237) Duplicate of item 1-71 in PH Coll 45 Seattle City Light Albums. Caption: Interior of two mile tunnel serving Gorge Power House. Tunnel is 20'-6" inside diameter & supplies three 10'-0" diameter penstocks. Capacity 112,500 H.P.	August 15, 1924
2/2	92	Workmen standing on and around Westinghouse generator in Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1924
2/2	93	Boy standing next to Westinghouse generator in Gorge Powerhouse (5342) Caption on page: Interior of Gorge Power House. Skagit River Development. Installed capacity - 75,000 H.P.	circa 1924
2/2	94	Gorge Powerhouse and bridge over Skagit, seen from higher elevation (5347)	circa 1924
2/2	95	Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1924
2/2	96	Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1924
2/2	97	Original wooden Gorge Creek Dam	1925
2/2	98	Wooden pedestrian bridge over Skagit River canyon	circa 1927
2/2	99	Photograph of Hudson and Hammond Architects drawing of Diablo Powerhouse Caption on drawing: City of Seattle - Skagit Power Development - Diablo Power House. John S. Hudson and H.G. Hammond, Architects, Seattle, Washington.	circa 1928-1931
2/2	100	Incline railway at Diablo Dam construction site (D(28-5-23)1) Duplicate of item 2-8 in PH Coll 45 Seattle City Light Albums.	May 23, 1928
2/2	101	Construction work at Diablo Dam site (D(28-8-28)2)	August 28, 1928
2/3	102	Winston Bros. container car on incline railway above Diablo Dam construction camp (D(28-8-28)6)	August 28, 1928
2/3	103	Construction work at Diablo Dam site (D(28-10-3)1)	October 3, 1928
2/3	104	Construction work at Diablo Dam site (D(28-10-3)2)	October 3, 1928
2/3	105	Interior of diversion tunnel for Diablo Dam (5353)	August 28, 1930
2/3	106	Eight men posed in front of steel plate wye for Diablo Dam penstock (8728A) A penstock is an intake structure that controls water flow. In a hydroelectric dam, water flows from a reservoir through the penstock to the turbines for power generation. The wye is a branching structure that allows water to flow toward more than one turbine.	October 20, 1930
2/3	107	Walkway under construction on top of completed Diablo Dam (D(9-16-30)1)	September 16, 1930
2/3	108	Diablo Dam and Diablo Lake, seen from higher elevation (D(30-11-7)1)	November 7, 1930
2/3	109	Diablo Dam and Diablo Lake, with construction activity below dam (D(30-11-7)3)	November 7, 1930
2/3	110	Pipes and water flow connected to operations at Diablo Dam (D(30-12-8)2)	December 8, 1930
2/3	111	Man standing in Diablo Dam control room (D(30-12-8)6)	December 8, 1930
2/4	112	Water released through Diablo Dam below control room (D(31-1-24)6)	January 24, 1931
2/4	113	Mist and spray coming from water over Diablo Dam spillways (D(31-1-28)1)	January 28, 1931
2/4	114	Spray over Diablo Dam (D(28-1-31)5)	January 28, 1931
2/4	115	Water coming through spillways at Diablo Dam (D(31-2-3)3)	February 3, 1931
2/4	116	Water coming through spillways at Diablo Dam (D(31-2-3)5)	February 3, 1931
2/4	117	Man and two women standing on walkway on top of Diablo Dam (D(31-3-6)3)	March 6, 1931
2/4	118	Diablo Dam seen from downstream on the Skagit River ( D(31-3-8)3)	March 8, 1931
2/4	119	Water flowing through spillways on Diablo Dam, seen from higher elevation	circa 1930-1931
2/4	120	Looking down on Diablo Dam from Thunder Creek Trail (5450) Caption on page: Diablo Dam. Skagit River Development. Height - 389', length across top - 1200'.	1931
2/5	121	Large pipes and scaffolding for construction of Diablo Powerhouse (D(31-4-2)1)	April 2, 1931
2/5	122	Men at work installing large pipe for construction of Diablo Powerhouse (D(31-4-2)3)	April 2, 1931
2/5	123	Construction work at Diablo Powerhouse site (D(31-4-2)6)	April 2, 1931
2/5	124	Construction work at Diablo Powerhouse site (D(31-4-30)5)	April 30, 1931
2/5	125	Construction work at Diablo Powerhouse site (D(31-4-30)6)	April 30, 1931
2/5	126	Water flowing through spillways of Diablo Dam (D(31-5-9)1)	May 9, 1931
2/5	127	Looking across Diablo Dam and Diablo Lake, with hills in background (D(31-5-9)6)	May 9, 1931
2/5	128	Men standing on and around large pipe for Diablo Powerhouse, possibly draft tube (D(31-6-20)1)	June 20, 1931
2/5	129	Looking down on bifurcated penstock at Diablo Powerhouse construction site (D(31-6-20)3)	June 20, 1931
2/6	130	Workers standing around tube opening during construction of Diablo Powerhouse (D(31-6-26)1)	June 26, 1931
2/6	131	Men at work on construction of Diablo Powerhouse (D(31-7-1)2)	July 1, 1931
2/6	132	Buildings and construction supplies used for Diablo Powerhouse on bank of Skagit River (D(31-7-1)3)	July 1, 1931
2/6	133	Construction work on Diablo Powerhouse (D(31-7-1)4)	July 1, 1931
2/6	134	Construction work on Diablo Powerhouse (D(31-7-13)1)	July 13, 1931
2/6	135	Scaffolding around penstock pipes on hillside above Diablo Powerhouse site (D(31-7-16)1)	July 16, 1931
2/6	136	Houses on river bank, across from road	circa 1919-1930s
2/6	137	Pedestrian bridge across river canyon	circa 1919-1939
2/6	138	Town of Newhalem	circa 1920s-1930s
2/6	139	Photograph of drawing of Skagit River Power Project, including all three dams and powerhouses Caption includes proposed plan for the project, with projected dates of completion and projected horse power of power generation.	circa 1930
2/6	140	Photograph of drawing of Skagit River Power Project	circa 1920s-1930s
2/6	141	Aerial view of Ross Dam and Powerhouse and Ross Lake	circa 1956
2/6	142	Aerial view of Ross Dam and Ross Lake	circa 1956

Seattle City Light North SubstationReturn to Top

Receiving station for Skagit Power Project at N.E. 75th Street in Seattle.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
2/7	143	North Substation under construction (5196)	March 1, 1924
2/7	144	Synchronous condenser in North Substation with 15,000 KVA capacity (5252) Duplicate image PH Coll 45.1-4.	October 22, 1924
2/7	145	North Substation (5331) Duplicate image PH Coll 45.1-1.	circa 1930s

Lake Union Steam PlantReturn to Top

Seattle City Light plant completed in 1917.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
2/7	146	Machinery inside Lake Union Steam Plant (4523) Caption: Interior of Lake Union Steam Plant. Seattle. 50,000 H.P.	May 16, 1921
2/7	147	Lake Union Steam Plant (5467)	1930

Seattle City Light OfficesReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
2/7	148	Seattle City Light warehouse and shops at 4th Avenue and Spokane Street (6082)	June 9, 1928
2/7	149	Seattle City Light Building at 3rd Avenue and Madison Street, downtown Seattle	circa 1935-1940s
2/7	150	Electric appliances on display in Seattle City Light building at 3rd Avenue and Madison Street, downtown Seattle	circa 1935-1940s
2/7	151	Seattle City Light Building at 3rd Avenue and Madison Street, downtown Seattle The renovated Seattle City Light Building at 3rd Ave. and Madison St. was designed by Jone & Bindon and Decker, Christenson & Kitchin, 1957.	circa 1960s

Inverness Neighborhood ProjectReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
2/7	152	Linemen working on power lines on Inverness street Written on verso: Inverness before 1963 (before utilities underground).	circa 1960-1962
2/7	153	Street in Inverness without overhead power lines Written on verso: Inverness after 1963 (utilities undergrounded).	circa 1963

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