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H.W. McCurdy Collection on the Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Co., 1900-1945

Overview of the Collection

Creator
McCurdy, H. W. (Horace Winslow), 1899-
Title
H.W. McCurdy Collection on the Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Co.
Dates
1900-1945 (inclusive)
Quantity
7 boxes, (6 linear feet)
Collection Number
1955.970.500
Summary
Photographs of various projects undertaken by the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company, including shipbuilding, bridges, dams, and buildings, plus scrapbooks of clippings, and blueprints
Repository
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

Founded in 1889, the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company was destined to become one of Seattle's most important companies. Whether under the title Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company or Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, their hand can be seen in most major construction sites in the Pacific Northwest including Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California. In addition, they are responsible for many ships, including some of the Washington State ferries and many naval vessels during and after World War II.

Some of the highlights in the history of this company include:

1909-1910
Hydraulic Dredges construct Harbor Island, the largest man-made island for thirty-five years--second now only to Treasure Island in San Francisco. Harbor Island was the site of the company since the thirties.
1924
The Dexter Horton Building was constructed in Seattle. At fourteen stories, it was the largest reinforced concrete building in the United States west of Chicago.
1927
A steel cantilever bridge was constructed over the Snake River at Twin Falls, Idaho.
1939
Construction began on the Lake Washington Floating Bridge.
WWII
WWII provided a boom in contracts for the company with the Navy. In conjunction with their Canadian affiliate, the British Columbia Bridge and Dredging Company, they constructed Naval bases in Alaska at Sitka, Dutch Harbor and Kodiak. In addition the BCB & D built a Point of Embarkation at Prince Rupert for the Army.
Eighty-two ships were constructed for the Navy as well, with a record fifteen (five of three different types) ships being delivered in one day.
1959
Company purchased by Lockheed.

More recent projects include the Grand Coulee Dam, much of the Interstate 5 bridges and roadways through Seattle, and the San Fernando Tunnel in California. They have continued to build ships ranging from dredges, tugs and ferries to mine sweepers, ice breakers and guided missile frigates, mostly for the Navy, Coast Guard and the states of Washington and Alaska.

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Content Description

This collection consists almost entirely of photographs taken to document various construction and shipbuilding projects undertaken by the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company in the Pacific Northwest, including bridges, dams, dredging, and building construction. Some notable projects represented in the collection include the Lake Washington floating bridge, the University of Washington stadium, and the Dexter Horton Building, all in Seattle. Two albums of photos document warships built during World War II. The collection also includes scrapbooks of relevant newspaper clippings and blueprints.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in MOHAI's online collections.

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

H.W. McCurdy Collection on the Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Co., Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Photographs are arranged by project, and many contract numbers are noted. Project files are roughly chronological.

Location of Collection

13a.4.4-6

Custodial History

The collection was assembled and maintained by H.W. McCurdy before it was donated to MOHAI.

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated by H.W. McCurdy in 1955.

Separated Materials

These materials are part of a large donation by H.W. McCurdy that also includes a large number of maritime artifacts, family photographs (1986.27), and Native American photographs, mainly of Makah Indians (1955.970.470). The artifacts are cataloged and stored separately by MOHAI's Collections Department.

Related Materials

The Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company Photographs and Publications (1988.13) and the James G. McCurdy II Photographs and Other Material (1995.37) contain additional materials about this company.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Photographs

    • Description: Headquarters, offices and yards / McCurdy portrait
      Container: Box 1, Folder 1
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: People
      Container: Box 1, Folder 2
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: "How We Did It," album
      Dates: 1900-1909
      Container: Box 1, Folder 3
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Carson City office
      Dates: before 1942
      Container: Box 1, Folder 4
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC
      Dates: 1908
      Container: Box 1, Folder 5
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Puyallup River Bridge
      Dates: 1911
      Container: Box 1, Folder 6
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: King County Courthouse
      Frank Nowell (photographer)
      Dates: 1915
      Container: Box 1, Folder 7
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: University of Washington Naval Air Station
      Frank Nowell (photographer)
      Dates: 1918
      Container: Box 1, Folder 8
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: University of Washington stadium
      Asahel Curtis (photographer)
      Dates: 1920
      Container: Box 1, Folder 9
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: University of Washington stadium
      Asahel Curtis (photographer)
      Dates: 1920
      Container: Box 1, Folder 10
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: University of Washington stadium
      Asahel Curtis (photographer)
      Dates: 1920
      Container: Box 1, Folder 11
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: University of Washington stadium
      Asahel Curtis (photographer)
      Dates: 1920
      Container: Box 1, Folder 12
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: University of Washington stadium Washington vs. Dartmouth
      Asahel Curtis (photographer)
      Dates: 1920 Nov 27
      Container: Box 1, Folder 13
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Dredge PUGET SOUND
      Dates: circa 1924
      Container: Box 1, Folder 14
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Garza Dam, Texas
      Dates: 1924-1925
      Container: Box 1, Folder 15
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Garza Dam, Texas
      Dates: 1924-1925
      Container: Box 1, Folder 16
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: North Coast Railroad -- Columbia River Bridge
      Container: Box 1, Folder 17
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Estacada Dam (album)
      Dates: 1910-1911
      Container: Box 1, Folder 18
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Lilly's Cont. (album)
      Dates: 1910
      Container: Box 1, Folder 19
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Washington Iron Works (album)
      Dates: 1910
      Container: Box 2, Folder 20
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Jordan River Dam (album)
      Dates: 1912-1913
      Container: Box 2, Folder 21
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Jordan River Dam
      Container: Box 2, Folder 22
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Temple of Justice
      Container: Box 2, Folder 23
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Temple of Justice (album)
      Container: Box 2, Folder 24
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Seattle School District No. 1 warehouse & shop building (album)
      Container: Box 2, Folder 25
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Pasco-Kennewick Bridge Gravenslund
      Container: Box 2, Folder 26
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Texas dam
      Container: Box 2, Folder 27
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Diversion dam, Texas
      Dates: 1922-1923
      Container: Box 2, Folder 28
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Panoramas
      Container: Box 2, Folder 29
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Falls Creek Dam, (album)
      Dates: 1922-1923
      Container: Box 2, Folder 30
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Clinton Court Apartments, Walla Walla
      Arnold McFaden (photographer)
      Dates: 1922-1927
      Container: Box 2, Folder 31
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Washington Iron Works
      Dates: 1923
      Container: Box 2, Folder 32
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Dexter Horton Building
      Dates: 1922
      Container: Box 2, Folder 33
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Dexter Horton Building (album)
      Dates: 1922
      Container: Box 2, Folder 34
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Dexter Horton Building
      Container: Box 3, Folder 35
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Wilsonian Apartment Hotel
      Dates: 1923
      Container: Box 3, Folder 36
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: High Bridge, PNW Traction, Bellingham
      Container: Box 3, Folder 37
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Pacific S.S. Terminal
      Dates: 1924
      Container: Box 3, Folder 38
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Wishkah River Bridge, Aberdeen
      Anderson (photographer)
      Dates: 1924-1925
      Container: Box 3, Folder 39
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Garza Dam, Dallas, Texas
      Dates: 1924
      Container: Box 3, Folder 40
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Meridian Avenue Bridge, Puyallup
      Dates: 1925
      Container: Box 3, Folder 41
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Transmission towers, Henderson Bay, Tacoma
      Dates: 1925
      Container: Box 3, Folder 42
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Chehalis River Bridge, Aberdeen
      Anderson (photographer)
      Dates: 1926
      Container: Box 3, Folder 43
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Bridge of the Gods, Wauna toll bridge near Hood River, OR
      Container: Box 3, Folder 44
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Little Hoquiam Bascule
      Dates: 1926
      Container: Box 3, Folder 45
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Dredge GENERAL WOLFE, Quebec
      Edwards (photographer)
      Dates: circa 1927
      Container: Box 3, Folder 46
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: San Juan Pulp Mill, Bellingham
      Dates: 1926
      Container: Box 3, Folder 47
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Georgia Hotel, Vancouver, BC
      Bullen (photographer)
      Dates: 1926
      Container: Box 3, Folder 48
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Pacific Coast Paper Mills, Bellingham
      Sandison (photographer)
      Jukes (photographer)
      Container: Box 3, Folder 49
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Twin Lakes Bridge, Idaho
      Dates: circa 1927
      Container: Box 3, Folder 50
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Gateway Bridge, Brownsville, Texas,
      Dates: 1928
      Container: Box 3, Folder 51
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Simpson Avenue Bridge, Hoquiam
      Dates: 1927-1928
      Container: Box 3, Folder 52
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Brewster Toll Bridge, Okanogan Co.
      Simmer (photographer)
      Dates: 1928
      Container: Box 3, Folder 53
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Fisher Body Co. Seawall, Duwamish Waterway
      Dates: 1929
      Container: Box 3, Folder 54
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: 14th Avenue South Bridge, Seattle
      Dates: 1929-1931
      Container: Box 3, Folder 55
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Centralia Power Plant, Yelm (album)
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box 3, Folder 56
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Centralia Power Plant, Yelm
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box 3, Folder 57
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Pennock Island
      Alask Fisher Studio (photographer)
      Dates: 1931
      Container: Box 3, Folder 58
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Seward, Alaska dredging
      Dates: 1931
      Container: Box 3, Folder 59
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Wenatchee River Bridge
      Dates: 1932
      Container: Box 3, Folder 60
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Christmas dinner on VICTORIA at Sitka
      Dates: 1939
      Container: Box 3, Folder 61
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Santa Monica breakwater
      Dates: 1933
      Container: Box 3, Folder 62
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: San Joaquin River dredging
      Dates: 1932
      Container: Box 3, Folder 63
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: SS NORTHWESTERN
      Dates: 1940
      Container: Box 3, Folder 64
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Columbia River rock renewal
      Container: Box 3, Folder 65
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Lake Washington pontoon bridge
      Simmer (photographer)
      Dates: 1939
      Container: Box 4, Folder 66
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Lake Washington pontoon bridge (album)
      Dates: 1939
      Container: Box 4, Folder 67
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Alaskan air bases
      Dates: 1940-1942
      Container: Box 4, Folder 68
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Longview, Wash.
      Dates: 1943
      Container: Box 4, Folder 69
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Misc. bridges -- statewide
      Container: Box 4, Folder 70
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Misc. bridges
      Container: Box 4, Folder 71
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Burned dredge SEATTLE, OLYMPIAN
      Container: Box 4, Folder 72
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Dredges -- misc.
      Container: Box 4, Folder 73
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Dredge TACOMA
      Dates: 1912-1921
      Container: Box 4, Folder 74
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Dredge PORTLAND
      Container: Box 4, Folder 75
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Chuckanut Bay fill
      Sandison (photographer)
      Container: Box 4, Folder 76
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Mausoleums and cemeteries
      Container: Box 4, Folder 77
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Columbia River Bridge (negatives)
      Container: Box 4, Folder 78
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Misc. negatives
      Container: Box 4, Folder 79
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Warship launches/christenings (album)
      Dates: 1944-1945
      Container: Box 5
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Warship launches/christenings (album)
      Dates: 1942-1944
      Container: Box 5
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Oversize photographs
      3 photographs

      Christening of the Tom McCurdy II, S.S. Alaska, unidentified Tacoma ship

      Dates:
      Container: Box 7
      Location: Photographs

  • : Scrapbooks,

    Container: Box

    • Description: Scrapbook of newspaper clippings -- bridges & canals
      Container: Box 5
      Location: : Scrapbooks,
    • Description: Scrapbook of newspaper clippings -- waterways
      Container: Box 5
      Location: : Scrapbooks,
    • Description: Scrapbook of newspaper clippings -- canals, waterways, dredging
      Container: Box 6
      Location: : Scrapbooks,
    • Description: Scrapbook of newspaper clippings -- Lake Washington Bridge, Unit # 4
      Container: Box 6
      Location: : Scrapbooks,
    • Description: Scrapbook of newspaper clippings -- Alaska Air Bases from August 31, 1939
      Container: Box 7
      Location: : Scrapbooks,

  • : Blueprints,

    Container: Box

    • Description: Blueprints of East waterway and Canal waterway
      Dates: 1897-1900
      Container: Box 5
      Location: : Blueprints,
    • Description: Blueprints of other waterways
      Dates:
      Container: Box 5
      Location: : Blueprints,

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Bridges -- Design and Construction -- Photographs
  • Dams -- Design and Construction -- Photographs
  • Shipbuilding -- Washington (State) -- Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Co.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographic prints

Finding aid prepared by Julie Kerssen
2006

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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