Seattle City Light albums

Seattle City Light albums, approximately 1919-1940

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Seattle City Light
Title: Seattle City Light albums
Dates: approximately 1919-1940 (inclusive)
19191940
Quantity: 188 photographic prints (2 albums)
Collection Number: PH0045
Summary: Photographs of construction projects of Seattle City Light
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.

Biographical 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.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The Skagit Hydroelectric Project was a series of dam and power house construction projects along the Skagit River in northern Washington State which began in 1918 and continued until the early 1960s. The Skagit River begins in the Canadian Cascade Range and flows over the border into the North Cascades in Washington State. Construction began with Gorge Dam near Newhalem, the furthest downstream of the Skagit Hydroelectric Project dams; Gorge Dam was dedicated in 1924. The next dam built was Diablo Dam; construction was completed in 1930, and power generation began in 1936. The furthest upstream dam, originally named Ruby Dam but renamed Ross Dam after the death of James D. Ross, was the final dam constructed; the dam was completed in 1943, and first power generation occurred in 1949. These dams currently create electricity and provide water storage for the city of Seattle.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Album 1: Contains 132 photographs documenting the construction of the Gorge Powerhouse, railway, company town, and power substations for the Seattle City Light Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.

Album 2: Contains 56 photographs documenting the construction of the Diablo Dam by Winston Brothers and additional scenes of the Skagit River and Valley.

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

Album 1 processed by Ellie Kleinwort, 2011; Album 2 processed by Elizabeth Russell, completed 2013.

92 loose photos determined to have different provenance were separated in 2012 and form Collection No. PH1124, Photographs of Seattle City Light.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Album 1 - Gorge DamReturn to Top

Photographs of Seattle City Light North Substation and construction of the Gorge Dam and Gorge Power House on the Skagit River.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Page	item
1	1-1	Seattle City Light North Substation	circa 1924
2	1-2	Two men standing near 10,000 KVA transformers at the North Substation	May 28, 1924
3	1-3	Transmission bus at North Substation with 165 KV line and 154 KV G-2 oil circuit breakers	circa 1924
4	1-4	Man with Westinghouse condenser at North Substation	October 22, 1924
5	1-5	Transmission lines near North Substation	April 1, 1924
6	1-6	End of transmission line at Seattle, North Substation	circa 1924
7-10	1-7 - 1-10	165 KV transmission line	February 28, 1924
11	1-11	Towers and transmission line at river crossing, probably on the Skagit River	February 28, 1924
12	1-12	165 KV transmission line above plank road	June 20, 1928
13	1-13	165 KV transmission line with telephone line, probably for City of Seattle	June 20, 1928
14	1-14	Gas-operated trolley nick-named "Toonerville Trolley" en route from Rockport to Newhalem with passengers Toonerville Folkswas a popular cartoon by Fontaine Fox that ran in newspapers from 1908 to 1955. The cartoon featured the Toonerville Trolley, and the name was used in multiple locations across the United States as a nick-name for local trolleys.	July 17, 1921
15	1-15	Men constructing City of Seattle-owned railway along river, probably the Skagit River	August 11, 1920
16-17	1-16 - 1-17	Looking along railroad line in the mountains, probably near station for Gorge Powerhouse	July 16, 1921
18	1-18	Early site of Gorge Powerhouse along the Skagit River	July 1, 1919
19	1-19	Bridge across Skagit River at Gorge Powerhouse site with cleared line of forest showing where tunnel surveying took place Caption on page: Directly under this line is a tunnel about 2 miles long - 20'6" diameter - cut thru solid granite.	July 17, 1921
20	1-20	Newhalem Powerhouse Construction Plant Caption on page: 3000 H.P.-Westinghouse-Pelton water supplied by 2700' tunnel from Newhalem Creek.	circa October 1924
21	1-21	Gorge Tunnel intake	April 1, 1924
22	1-22	Looking along railroad bed in mountains, probably near Skagit River	July 18, 1921
23	1-23	Man working at crib dam location at Gorge Dam site during early drilling operations	October 17, 1919
24	1-24	Men working at crib dam and intake during construction	October 4, 1924
25	1-25	Gorge Dam intake	circa October 1924
26	1-26a	Gorge Powerhouse excavation, showing railway bridge across Skagit River	December 1921
26	1-26b	Railway and Gorge Powerhouse excavation	December 1921
27	1-27	Skagit River in mountains showing downed trees	circa 1925-1926
28	1-28a	Men working in Gorge Powerhouse excavation site	April 1922
28	1-28b	Men working in excavation pit, with buildings in background	June 6, 1922
29	1-29a	Men working in Penstock Tunnels 1 and 2	April 1922
29	1-29b	Men working in Penstock Tunnel 1 and starting work on Penstock Tunnel 2	April 1, 1922
30	1-30a	West End Tunnel portal during winter	February 1922
30	1-30b	River above Devil's Elbow drill site	circa 1919-1928
31	1-31a	Draft Tube 1 partially in place	November 29, 1922
31	1-31b	Looking toward excavation and powerhouse foundation from southwest, showing Unit 1	January 12, 1923
32	1-32a	Looking toward excavation from the west, showing Units 1 and 2	January 12, 1923
32	1-32b	Looking toward excavation from the west, showing Unit 3 and sump	January 12, 1923
33	1-33a	Powerhouse foundation, viewed from southwest	January 19, 1923
33	1-33b	Clearing for town site Caption on photo: Upriver from Dohne Cabin.	circa 1919-1928
34	1-34a	Frozen water falling from chute	February 1922
34	1-34b	Small waterfall in Ladder Creek	August 6, 1920
35	1-35a	10 ton Holt Caterpillar with trailers	March 1921
35	1-35b	East portal of tunnel with railway line and men at work	April 1922
36	1-36a	Railway bridge at Devil's Elbow	February 1922
36	1-36b	Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1924-1925
37	1-37	Gorge Powerhouse and railway bridge seen from higher elevation	March 2, 1928
38	1-38	Tail race of Gorge Powerhouse	April 1, 1924
39	1-39	Wooden footbridge across canyon at Devil's Corner on the Skagit River	July 1, 1919
40	1-40	Mountain scene near Skagit River	circa 1926
41	1-41	Newhalem Camp along the Skagit River seen from a higher elevation	July 17, 1921
42	1-42	Small waterfall in Ladder Creek	October 21, 1919
43	1-43	10,000 KVA switching transformers and 165 KV oil circuit breakers, probably in Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1924-1925
44	1-44a	Sawmill	circa 1919-1924
44	1-44b	Gorge Powerhouse foundation, seen from west showing Units 1 and 2	January 19, 1923
45	1-45a	Top view of draft tube forms for Units 1 and 2	January 19, 1923
45	1-45b	Men placing steel in Unit 2 draft tube seen from the south	January 30, 1923
46	1-46a	Concreting Unit 1 draft tube	February 27, 1923
46	1-46b	Man standing on steel reinforcing of Draft Tube 1	February 23, 1923
47	1-47a	Men working on steel reinforcing for Draft Tube 1	February 23, 1923
47	1-47b	Gorge Powerhouse foundation seen from the south	February 20, 1923
48	1-48a	Man working in Unit 1 waterway. looking north	April 9, 1923
48	1-48b	Woman standing in Unit 2 waterway	April 15, 1923
49	1-49a	Southeast view of powerhouse and west portal plants, seen from across the Skagit River	May 23, 1923
49	1-49b	Gorge Powerhouse intake excavation	June 14, 1923
50	1-50	Gorge Dam, a wooden crib dam	January 12, 1926
51	1-51a	Railway bridge near Gorge Powerhouse, looking east	May 23, 1923
51	1-51b	Johnson valve and scroll case of Unit 1	August 10, 1923
52	1-52a	Powerhouse interior viewed from the north	July 6, 1923
52	1-52b	Man working on Johnson valve and scroll case of Unit 1	August 10, 1923
53	1-53a	Men working on Johnson valve and scroll case of Unit 1	August 13, 1923
53	1-53b	Man posing by speed ring of Unit 1	August 13, 1923
54	1-54a	Men working on Johnson valve and scroll case of Unit 1	August 13, 1923
54	1-54b	Men standing inside Penstock Pipe 3	August 13, 1923
55	1-55a	Man posing beside Gate Ring Unit 1	August 22, 1923
55	1-55b	Man posing inside Johnson valve	August 22, 1923
56	1-56a	Johnson valve in Unit 3	August 25, 1923
56	1-56b	Three men with concrete gun, five yard concrete car, and gas locomotive	November 4, 1923
57	1-57	Concrete-lined tunnel, 20 feet 6 inches in diameter	September 21, 1923
58	1-58a	Speed ring of Unit 2	October 2, 1923
58	1-58b	Four men working on Johnson valve, draft tube, and portion of scroll for Unit 2	September 26, 1923
59	1-59a	Unit 2 scroll, seen from above	October 3, 1923
59	1-59b	Man posing between snowdrifts in front of commissary building, possibly at Newhalem	February 15, 1923
60	1-60a	Rotor Spider Number 1 Generator at Gorge Plant	September 17, 1923
60	1-60b	Interior of Penstock Pipe 2 with welder working	November 2, 1923
61	1-61a	Group of men posing with mucking shovel machine	November 4, 1923
61	1-61b	Bench drilling crew posing with Drilling Jumbo, a raised platform on wheels	November 7, 1923
62	1-62a	Stator in Unit 1 seen from above	November 24, 1923
62	1-62b	Unit 1 stator and Unit 2 rotor seen from above	November 27, 1923
63	1-63a	Tunnel interior showing raised platform on wheels called a jumbo and grout hole markings	December 25, 1923
63	1-63b	Tunnel interior showing timbering of fault in tunnel roof	December 25, 1923
64	1-64a	East portal of tunnel with icicles hanging from roof	December 30, 1923
64	1-64b	Steel tunnel forms, bulkhead, and concrete gun discharge pipe with men posing on jumbo	November 25, 1923
65	1-65a	Men working on steel lining at the junction of Penstock and main tunnels	February 9, 1924
65	1-65b	Close-up of steel lining form in tunnel	December 25, 1923
66	1-66a	Unloading locomotive from flat car, possibly inside Gorge Powerhouse	January 9, 1924
66	1-66b	Interior of power plant at Newhalem	January 6, 1924
67	1-67a	Penstock concrete gun	January 12, 1924
67	1-67b	Trim Jumbo inside tunnel	December 30, 1923
68	1-68a	Generators inside powerhouse	February 10, 1924
68	1-68b	High water at intake for Gorge Powerhouse, probably during early flooding of the Skagit River	February 12, 1924
69	1-69	Woman posing in tunnel portal	April 1, 1924
70	1-70a	Men standing on rotor of Unit 2 as it is lowered into place	February 25, 1924
70	1-70b	Great Northern excursion train at Newhalem Caption states that this photo (photographer's number 955) was taken from "'x' of photo #952." A photograph numbered 952 is not in the album.	June 7, 1924
71	1-71	Group of men and children posing in tunnel near portals, probably near the powerhouse foundation	August 15, 1924
72	1-72a	Cottages in Newhalem Caption on photo: Permanent Cottages Looking East from #6.	June 25, 1923
72	1-72b	Two 30,000 KVA Westinghouse generators in Gorge Powerhouse generator room	September 15, 1924
73	1-73	Two 30,000 KVA Westinghouse generators in Gorge Powerhouse generator room	September 15, 1924
74	1-74	Two men standing next to generator in Gorge Powerhouse generator room	circa 1924-1925
75	1-75	Suspension bridge over river in mountains, probably the Skagit River	July 18, 1921
76	1-76	Man looking at view of mountains, probably in the Cascade range	circa 1925
77	1-77a	Three men with wheel or reel, possibly for guide rope of floating platform or for diver	circa 1919-1924
77	1-77b	Man in submersible diving suit	circa 1919-1924
77	1-77c	Two men in working clothes and one man in diving suit standing on floating platform	circa 1919-1924
78	1-78a	Building and equipment, possibly in Newhalem	circa 1919-1924
78	1-78b	Interior of powerhouse with transformers in crates, probably the Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1923-1924
78	1-78c	Control room probably in Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1923-1925
79	1-79a	Exterior of Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1924
79	1-79b	Transformers in Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1923-1925
79	1-79c	Transmission lines along ceiling, probably at Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1923-1925
80	1-80a	Reinforcing steel rods, probably near scroll case of Unit 1 or 2	circa 1923-1925
80	1-80b	Men watching pipe elbow lowered into water near Gorge Powerhouse	circa 1923-1925
80	1-80c	Men working, probably above scroll case of Unit 1 or 2	circa 1923-1925
81	1-81a - 1-81c	Raising of rotor	circa February 1924
82	1-82a - 1-82b	Raising of rotor	circa February 1924
82	1-82c	Machinery, probably interior of generator	circa 1924
83	1-83a	Generator during assembly seen from above	circa 1924
83	1-83b	Generator during assembly seen from floor level	circa 1924
84	1-84	Six men displaying large number of fish, probably caught near Newhalem	circa 1919-1928

Album 2 - Diablo DamReturn to Top

Photographs of Diablo Canyon and Ruby Creek on the Skagit River and construction of Diablo Dam.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Page	item
1	2-1	Diablo Canyon	June 30, 1919
2	2-2	Diablo Canyon showing footbridge across canyon	May 27, 1927
3	2-3	Skagit Canyon below what is now Ross Dam	June 28, 1919
4	2-4	Looking toward mountains near Diablo Canyon with man in stocking cap in foreground Caption on page: Mountain view - taken below Diablo Canyon - looking upstream.	circa 1919
5	2-5	Footbridge above Diablo Canyon	May 27, 1927
6	2-6	Winston Brothers Company camp for Diablo Dam construction	March 12, 1928
7	2-7	Diablo Dam project diversion dam for de-watering tunnel	March 18, 1928
8	2-8	Incline railway for carrying materials up hillside from construction camp Caption on page: Incline for elevating materials in carload lots.	May 23, 1928
9	2-9	De-watering tunnel and diversion dam at Diablo Dam project	March 1928
10	2-10	Wooden footbridge and scaffolding at Diablo Dam site, looking upstream	1928
11	2-11	Reflector Bar on the Skagit River Caption on page: "Reflector Bar" - Sand and gravel supply for Diablo dam.	1928
12	2-12	U.S. Ranger station at Reflector Bar	March 29, 1927
13	2-13	Looking downstream at Diablo Dam site during construction Caption on page: Diablo dam site - Looking down stream.	1928
14	2-14	Diversion dam at Diablo Dam site Caption on page: Diversion - up stream view.	1928
15	2-15	Men at work on diversion dam Caption on page: Showing progress on diversion dam.	April 25, 1928
16	2-16	Lower end of Diablo Canyon, with wooden buildings above	1928
17	2-17	Looking down on Skagit River Caption on page: Typical mountain view - Skagit River.	July 17, 1921
18	2-18	Gravel grading equipment on Skagit River gravel and sand bar Caption on page: Gravel grading equipment - Reflector Bar.	March 1928
19	2-19	Railroad track and sand and gravel storage bins under construction	March 16, 1928
20	2-20	Bridge site at bend in canyon nick-named "Devil's Elbow" on the Skagit River	July 18, 1921
21	2-21	Pouring concrete during Diablo Dam construction	October 3, 1928
22	2-22	Lower end of Diablo Canyon	May 27, 1927
23	2-23	Davis Ranch near Diablo Canyon Caption on page: Davis' Ranch - Below Diablo.	March 29, 1927
24	2-24	Incline railway for carrying material up hillside	March 24, 1928
25	2-25	Construction work above Diablo Canyon	March 1928
26	2-26	Ranger station near Reflector Bar on the Skagit River	June 30, 1919
27	2-27	Flood water covering diversion dam	May 20, 1928
28	2-28	Mouth of Diablo Canyon with man in foreground, possibly James Delmage Ross	May 27, 1927
29	2-29	Substation at Diablo Dam	March 28, 1928
30	2-30	Seattle-owned railway line over river Caption on page: City owned railway - Rockport to Diablo. About 28 miles.	July 16, 1921
31	2-31	Man and two horses carrying packs on railroad right-of way in mountains	July 18, 1921
32	2-32	Workers in railroad car on incline railway	1928
33	2-33	River with mountains in distance	June 30, 1919
34	2-34	Incline railway car filled with construction crew on the way to work	April 14, 1928
35	2-35	Construction equipment at Diablo Dam site above Diablo Canyon	1928
36	2-36	Mouth of tunnel during construction, seen from across river Caption on page: Tunnel excavation - Early stage.	1928
37	2-37	Inside of diversion tunnel	1928
38	2-38	Overflow of diversion dam	1928
39	2-39	Looking up from below diversion dam	1928
40	2-40	Diversion dam, seen from above	1928
41	2-41	Rip Rapids on the Skagit River, with mountains in background Caption on page: Where Rainbow trout abound.	June 28, 1919
42	2-42	Construction work on Diablo Dam	1929
43	2-43	Skagit River and rocky, tree-lined banks Caption on page: Skagit River scene - Note bridge across ravine marking old trail.	circa 1919
44	2-44	Rapids on the Skagit River Caption on page: A fisherman's paradise.	July 1, 1919
45	2-45	Water flowing over dam, probably diversion dam Caption on page: More high water.	1928
46	2-46	Men standing next to dam made of logs, probably diversion dam	May 9, 1928
47	2-47	Construction work above Diablo Dam site Caption on page: Scene of operations immediately above dam. 1. Gravel & sand bins. 2. Cement house. 2-a. Conveyor. 3. Where material is mixed.	May 7, 1928
48	2-48	Incline railway under construction	1928
49	2-49	Men at work, probably on diversion dam	1928
50	2-50	Men at work on diversion dam and tunnel	April 12, 1928
51	2-51	Diablo Dam under construction, showing concrete walls partially completed	circa 1928
52	2-52	Blank page
53	2-53	Junction of Ruby Creek with Skagit River, seen from above, with two bridges visible Caption on photo: Junction of Ruby Creek with Skagit River Mile 29. Ruby Creek Trail Bridge, Shinkle Bridge in Distance.Caption on page: Close to proposed Ruby Dam.	June 29, 1919
54	2-54	Rapids in Ruby Canyon Caption on page: The boiling waters in Ruby Canyon.	1928
55	2-55	Skagit Basin above mouth of Ruby Creek, showing bridges and Ruby Inn nearby	June 28, 1919
56	2-56	Diablo Canyon and surrounding area	June 30, 1919

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Dams--Photographs
Electricity generation--Photographs
Skagit River Hydroelectric Project--Photographs
Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

Seattle City Light

Geographical Names

Skagit River (B.C. and Wash.)

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