Clifford R. Koester Papers, 1927-1972
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Koester, Clifford R., 1912-1991
- Title
- Clifford R. Koester Papers
- Dates
- 1927-1972 (inclusive)19271972
- Quantity
- 2.5 Linear feet of shelf space, (4 Boxes)
- Collection Number
- Cage 709 (collection)
- Summary
- Clifford R. Koester worked as a journeyman electrician for the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, at the Grand Coulee Dam. The primary focus of the collection is the construction and operation of the Grand Coulee Dam.
- Repository
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Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu - Access Restrictions
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This collection is open and available for research use.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
Clifford R. Koester (1912-1991) was born in Amarillo, TX, and spent his childhood in Ismay, MT. From 1941 to 1961 he worked as a journeyman electrician for the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, first at the Leavenworth (WA) fish hatchery and then at the Grand Coulee Dam. He was a long-time member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and a resident of the town of Coulee Dam (WA).
Content Description
The primary focus of the collection is the construction and operation of the Grand Coulee Dam. It includes an unpublished history of the dam and a substantial amount of ephemera (primarily newsletters and pamphlets) related to the dam. The collection also includes materials related to larger questions about reclamation and development, some expressing opposition to federal government regulatory powers.
In his history of the dam, Koester focused on the contributions of laborers to the monumental project. In the dedication, he observed that "the ability and achievements of the planners and engineers have often been extolled elsewhere. I wish to speak now of the craftsmen and common workmen who toiled here, and gave a part of their lives to further this great work…"
Series 1: History of the Columbia Basin Project by Clifford R. Koester, 1945. Three-volume typescript (bound), illustrated with approximately 176 United States Bureau of Reclamation photographs. Discusses many aspects of the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam and includes some information about related Columbia Basin projects.
Series 2: Correspondence and notes; 1945-1955, undated. The materials in this series are related to two main topics: Koester's research for his history of the Grand Coulee Dam, and his opposition to federal government regulation of recreational use of Lake Roosevelt.
Series 3: Newsletters, 1936-1958. Includes issues of the Pacific Northwest Development Association Bulletin, the Columbia Basin Project Safety News, and the Columbian.
Series 4: Reports, pamphlets, and miscellaneous materials, 1927-1972.
Series 5: Photographs; 1948, undated.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions apply.
Preferred Citation
[Item Description]
Clifford R. Koester Papers, 1927-1972 (Cage 709)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
The papers have been arranged in five series. The arrangement for this collection was created during processing in the absence of a usable original order.
Acquisition Information
The papers of Clifford R. Koester were donated to Washington State University in two separate installments, by Mr. Koester in 1985 (MS 1985-30) and by Ronald and Ronda Koester in 2002 (MS 2002-23).
Processing Note
This collection was processed in 2006 by Cheryl Gunselman, Manuscripts Librarian.
Separated Materials
Many printed items have been removed from the papers for separate cataloging.
Related Materials
Frank Arthur Banks Papers, 1913-1957 (Cage 40)
Papers on Columbia River Basin Shipping and Development, 1934-1936 (Cage 755)
Paul C. Pitzer Papers, 1990-1992 (Cage 852)
Ralph J. Kugelman Grand Coulee Dam Construction Photographs, 1930s (Cage 5149)
North Central Washington, Columbia Basin, and Grand Coulee Reclamation, Irrigation and Farming Photographs, 1905-1954 (PC 91)
Grand Coulee Dam and Columbia Basin Project Photographs, 1935-1950 (PC 182)
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Series 1: History of the Columbia Basin Project, 1945
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Description: History of the Columbia Basin Project by Clifford R. Koester (bound typescript and photographs), 1945.Container: Box 1, Folder 1-3
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Series 2: Correspondence and notes; 1945-1955, undated
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Description: Correspondence and notes; 1945-1955, undated.Container: Box 2, Folder 4
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Series 3: Newsletters, 1936-1958
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Description: M.W.A.K. Columbian newsletter (Mason City, WA: Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.), 1936-1937.Container: Box 2, Folder 5
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Description: The Columbian newsletter (Mason City, WA: Consolidated Builders), 1938-1941.Container: Box 2, Folder 6-9
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Columbia Basin Project Safety News, 1944-1950
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Description: Newsletters, 1944-1950.Container: Box 2, Folder 10-14
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Description: Newsletters, 1944-1950. (continued)Container: Box 3, Folder 15-16
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Description: Layouts, circa 1947-1950.Container: Box 3, Folder 17
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Description: Pacific Northwest Development Association Bulletin, 1947-1955.Container: Box 3, Folder 18-20
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Description: Miscellaneous newsletters, 1947-1958.Container: Box 3, Folder 21
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Series 4: Reports, pamphlets, and miscellaneous materials, 1927-1972
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Reports
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Description: "Specifications for Construction and Material, Grand Coulee Dam--Columbia Basin Project." Annotated typescript, undated.Container: Box 3, Folder 22
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Description: "Brown-Boveri Circuit Breaker Tests 230-KV Air-Blast Circuit Breaker, March 14-March 18, 1951." Typescript, circa 1951.Container: Box 3, Folder 23
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Description: "The Columbia Basin Project, 1890-1940," by J. B. Fink. Speech (typescript), 1940.Container: Box 3, Folder 24
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Description: "Revelations--1948," by Michael W. Straus. Speech (typescript), 1948.Container: Box 3, Folder 25
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Description: Appraisal report, Town of Coulee Dam, WA, Federal Housing Administration, 1956.Container: Box 3, Folder 26
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Description: "Why a CVA?" by Hugh Mitchell, 1945.Container: Box 3, Folder 27
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Description: "What's Inside the CVA Bill?" by J. K. Cheadle, 1946.Container: Box 3, Folder 27
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Description: "Do We Want More TVAs?" 1946.Container: Box 3, Folder 27
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Description: "Bureau of Reclamation Region 1 Employee Handbook," 1950.Container: Box 3, Folder 28
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Description: "Coulee Dam General Plan." Printed report, 1950.Container: Box 3, Folder 29
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Description: "The Columbia Basin Project" Printed report, 1950.Container: Box 3, Folder 30
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Description: "The Grand Coulee Dam Area: A Preliminary Report," by George A. Shipman, 1950.Container: Box 4, Folder 31
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Description: "The Grand Coulee Dam Area: Final Report and Recommendations," by George A. Shipman, 1954.Container: Box 4, Folder 32
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Description: "History of Grand Coulee Dam Area: Community Development Study," 1958.Container: Box 4, Folder 33
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Pamphlets
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Description: "Columbia Basin Project," U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, 1959.Container: Box 4, Folder 34
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Description: "The Story of CVA," League for C.V.A., undated.Container: Box 4, Folder 34
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Description: "The 'Authority' Issue," prepared by Clifford H. Stone, undated.Container: Box 4, Folder 34
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Description: "Columbia Valley Authority," Homer D. Angell, 1945.Container: Box 4, Folder 34
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Description: "Question and Answer Handbook about the Columbia Interstate Compact," undated.Container: Box 4, Folder 34
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Description: "The Repayment of Construction Costs on Federal Reclamation Projects," Ross Morris, 1949.Container: Box 4, Folder 34
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Description: Miscellaneous pamphlets about Albeni Falls Dam and McNary Dam, 1954-1955.Container: Box 4, Folder 35
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Miscellaneous materials
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Description: "Pacific Builder and Engineer," December 1947.Container: Box 4, Folder 36
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Description: "The Journal of Electrical Workers and Operators," September 1945.Container: Box 4, Folder 37
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Description: "The 'Palouse Soil' Problem," Kirk Bryan (U.S. Geological Survey bulletin 790-B), 1927.Container: Box 4, Folder 38
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Description: Miscellaneous or unidentified; 1949-1972, undated.Container: Box 4, Folder 38
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Series 5: Photographs; 1948, undated
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Description: Photographs; 1948, undated.Container: Box 4, Folder 39-42
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Concrete dams -- Design and construction
- Water resources development -- Columbia River Watershed
- Water resources development -- Washington (State) -- History
Personal Names
- Koester, Clifford R., 1912-1991 -- Archives
Corporate Names
- Columbia Basin Project (U.S.) -- History
- Columbia Valley Authority -- History -- Sources
- Pacific Northwest Development Association -- History -- Sources
Geographical Names
- Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.) -- History
