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Washington State University College of Engineering Highway Research Section Records, 1947-1967

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Washington State University. Highway Research Section.
Title
Washington State University College of Engineering Highway Research Section Records
Dates
1947-1967 (inclusive)
Quantity
7 Linear feet of shelf space, (5 Boxes)
Collection Number
Archives 60 (collection)
Summary
The collection contains correspondence and reports of the Washington State University College of Engineering Highway Research Section. Topics include gas factors and tax allocation surveys, bridge and street surveys, and photographs.
Repository
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

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

The Research Division of the College of Engineering was originally the Division of Industrial Research, established at Washington State University in 1946. The D.I.R. conducted studies and research leading toward the economical use of material resources of the Northwest and the broad, well-balanced development of the state. The Highway Research Section was the unit which conducted research on the construction and maintenance of highways, roads, and bridges. The papers in this collection consist primarily of the research and reports written by members of the Highway Research Section on road construction and maintenance. Professor G. A. Riedesel prepared the Gas Tax Allocation Survey for the Washington State Joint Committee on Highways and the Highway Commission. This work was done under contract by the College of Engineering and the project was headed by Riedesel. The material contained in Series II was also compiled by Riedesel as part of a survey prepared for the Legislative Fact-Finding Committee on Highways, Streets, and Bridges. The survey was completed in the early 1960s.

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Content Description

The collection contains correspondence and reports of the Washington State University College of Engineering Highway Research Section. Topics include gas factors and tax allocation surveys, bridge and street surveys, and photographs.

The first series, Gas Tax Allocation Survey, dates from 1952 through 1968 and is divided into two subseries.

The first subseries, County-by-county survey, 1953-1965, consists of materials such as, correspondence, road and bridge inventories, cost estimates, gas factor adjustment forms, and maps relating to county participation in the gas tax surveys.

The second subseries, Gas Tax Studies, 1952-1967, consists of the published results (County Gas Tax Allocation) for the years 1954, 1956, 1961, 1965, and 1967, as well as, the Gas Tax Studies for 1965 through 1968, and the research data for the 1965 Gas Tax Survey (1953-1964).

The second series, Highway, Street, and Bridge Survey, 1947-1961, was compiled by Professor Riedesel as a survey for the Legislative Fact-Finding Committee on Highways, Streets, and Bridges and is divided into three subseries.

The first subseries, Cities, 1957-1960, contains materials such as correspondence and bridge and street data, relating to 83 Washington cities. These materials are arranged alphabetically by city. This is only part of the original survey that was completed; only "E" through "M" in the alphabetical list of cities has survived.

The second subseries, County Survey, 1949-1961, consists of correspondence and highway and bridge data related to Washington counties. This material includes general country information--statistical data, constructions costs, maintenance costs--for the years 1956-1959, and data on individual counties.

The third subseries, County Maps and Construction Cost Estimates, 1947-1960, consists of oversized material. This material, county maps and construction cost estimates, covers the period from 1947 through 1960, but bulks largest in the mid to late 1950s.

The third series, Photographs, 1935-1964, is divided into two subseries.

The first subseries, Highways and Roads, 1950-1964, consists of photographs of various aspects of highway and road maintenance and construction, such as road damage, highway loads, soils charts, topography and land forms, and aerial surveys of specific regions, culverts and drainage, and intersections.

The second subseries, Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, 1935-1950, consists of photographs of various aspects of the irrigation project during the period from the mid-1930s through 1950.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Washington State University College of Engineering Highway Research Section Records, 1947-1967 (Archives 60)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The records of the College of Engineering, Highway Research Section are arranged in three series.

Series 1, Gas Tax Allocation Survey, 1952-1968, is divided into two subseries: County-by-county survey, is arranged alphabetically by county; Gas Tax Studies, is arranged chronologically.

Series 2, Highway, Street, and Bridge Survey, 1947-1961, is divided into three subseries: Cities, 1957-1960, are arranged alphabetically by city; County Survey, 1949-1961, is arranged alphabetically by county; and County Maps and Construction Cost Estimates, 1947- 1960, arranged alphabetically by county.

Series 3, Photographs, 1935 -1964, is divided into two subseries: Highways and Roads, 1950-1964; and Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, 1935-1950, both arranged by subjects.

Acquisition Information

The records of the College of Engineering Highway Research Section were transferred to the Washington State University Libraries by John C. Cook on two occasions: September 1977 (UA 77-27) and February 1978 (UA 78-03).

Processing Note

In March 1979, the photographs from the collection were processed by David Smestad; Patricia Graham Pidcock processed the papers in March and April 1979.

Related Materials

Washington State University College of Engineering Research Division Reports, 1936-1987 (Archives 266)

A number of other Engineering Publications are held in MASC's Washington State University Publications, 1891-2018, (WSU 001-999) collection, including most of their Bulletins, Circulars, and Technical Reports (WSU 158-159).

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Detailed Description of the Collection