WaSMAR2613_26 Guide to the Seattle Engineering Department Safety Photographs 1947-1987 Seattle Engineering Department Safety Photographs Finding aid prepared by Shannon B. Lynch Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Seattle Municipal Archives © 2004
PO Box 94728 600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 3 Seattle, WA 98124-4728 Phone: 206/233-7807 Email: archives@seattle.gov http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives
Finding aid encoded by Shannon B. Lynch 2004 Finding aid written in English. Seattle Municipal Archives
PO Box 94728 600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 3 Seattle, WA 98124-4728 Phone: 206/233-7807 Email: archives@seattle.gov http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives
2613-26 Seattle (Wash.). Engineering Dept. Engineering Department Safety Photographs 1947-1987 176 black and white photographs 42 color photographs 7 Polaroid photographs .4 cubic foot 1 box Photographs of Engineering Department Safety Award-winning departments and individuals, 1947-1987. Also included are photographs of Engineering Department vehicles and equipment, construction projects, and vehicle damage due to accidents. Collection materials are in English. Historical Note

The Seattle Engineering Department (SED) maintained the City's streets and bridges, designed and oversaw construction of public works projects, provided traffic and transportation planning, and operated the sewer and solid waste utility. The position of City Surveyor was created in 1873 to survey the City, establish boundaries and street grades, and administer condemnation processes. This position was renamed City Engineer in 1890. In 1931 the Engineering Department absorbed part of the Department of Public Utilities and in 1936 it assumed the responsibilities of the Department of Streets and Sewers and the Traffic Department. In 1997, the water, solid waste, drainage, and wastewater utilities from the Engineering and Water departments were merged with the Engineering Services Division of SED and the Customer Service Call Center and Construction Engineering Sections of City Light to form Seattle Public Utilities. The traffic and transportation functions of the Engineering Department were consolidated in the Seattle Transportation Department.

The Seattle Engineering Department Safety Photographs date from 1954 to 1972. Photographs depicting groups and individuals receiving or posed with Engineering Department Safety Awards for various years comprise the bulk of the collection. Also included are photographs depicting vehicular accidents and damage, Engineering Department construction and repair projects, cleaning operations, Engineering Department vehicles and equipment, and the monorail terminal. Many images are undated.

Photographs are arranged alphabetically by subject; within each subject, they are arranged chronologically.

Records are open to the public.

[Title of image, date. Item number.] Seattle Engineering Department Safety Photographs, Record Series 2613-26. Seattle Municipal Archives.

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Seattle (Wash.). Engineering Dept. Morse, Roy W. Seattle (Wash.). Traffic accidents--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs Safety--Washington (State)--Seattle Award presentations--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs Monorail railroads--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs Municipal engineering--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs Photographs Seattle Public Works Photographic prints Group portraits Instant camera photographs

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Seattle Engineering Department Safety Photographs 1947-1987 1/1 Accidents and Vehicle Damage 1955-1987, n.d. 24 black and white photographs; 7 Polaroid photographs

Photographs show damaged vehicles and accident scenes; several 1961 images document the wreckage of a car ("driven by Fairbanks") hit by a train.

 1/2 Co-Worker of the Year: Sam Yazzolino 1961 6 black and white photographs

Award presentation with Seattle Engineering Department officials, including Roy W. Morse.

1/3 Equipment and Machinery 1958-1963 8 black and white photographs

Pictured are Engineering Department cars, trucks, and other vehicles, as well as a fan belt.

1/4 Food Drive 1968 2 black and white photographs 1/5 Miscellaneous Photographs n.d. 8 black and white photographs

Included are images of vehicles, people, and roads.

1/6 Monorail 1963 4 black and white photographs

Exit ramp at downtown monorail terminal.

 1/7 People 1960, n.d. 6 black and white photographs

Photographs of people, mostly unnamed; identified individuals include Warren Vereide, Ron Nieforth, and H. Ward Tyler. One image may show the Seattle City Council, including Mildred Powell.

1/8 Safety Awards 1954 ca. 1954-1955 1 black and white photograph 1/9 Safety Awards 1956 ca. 1956-1957 1 black and white photograph

"Charmed Circle"; names of men are listed on back of photograph.

1/10 Safety Awards 1957 ca. 1957-1958 4 black and white photographs

"Charmed Circle" group photograph, banquet, and award presentation to Hillman Mice.

1/11 Safety Awards 1958 1959 3 black and white photographs 1/12 Safety Awards 1959 ca. 1959-1960 14 black and white photographs

"Old Timers" and "Near Miss" group portraits; award presentations to individuals.

1/13 Safety Awards 1960 1961 11 black and white photographs

Award presentations to groups and individuals.

1/14 Safety Awards 1961 1962 3 black and white photographs

Award presentations to groups and individuals.

1/15 Safety Awards 1962 1963 13 black and white photographs

Award presentations to groups and individuals.

1/16 Safety Awards 1963 ca. 1963-1964 7 black and white photographs

Award presentations to groups and individuals.

1/17 Safety Awards 1964 ca. 1964-1965 1 black and white photograph 1/18 Safety Awards 1965 1966 3 black and white photographs

Award presentations to groups.

1/19 Safety Awards 1966 1966-1967 2 black and white photographs

Awards presented to groups.

1/20 Safety Awards 1967 1968 12 color photographs

Awards presented to groups.

1/21 Safety Awards 1968 1969 4 color photographs; 1 black and white photograph

Awards presented to groups.

1/22 Safety Awards 1969 1969-1970 12 color photographs; 2 black and white photographs

Awards presented to groups and close-up shot of National Safety Council Award of Honor.

1/23 Safety Awards 1970 1971 2 color photographs

Award presented to group.

1/24 Safety Awards: National Safety Council Award 1971 2 color photographs

Roy W. Morse with other Seattle Engineering Department officials.

1/25 Safety Awards 1971 1972 7 color photographs

Awards presented to groups.

1/26 Safety Awards 1972 1973 2 color photographs

Awards presented to groups.

1/27 Safety Awards: Undated ca. 1960s 19 black and white photographs

Various award presentation events/banquets/dinners, award recipients, and speakers.

1/28 Safety Meeting Inspectors 1959 2 black and white photographs 1/29 Safety Program 1959 3 black and white photographs

Photographs document the correct procedure for backing up a dump truck.

1/30 Tolt River Project Employee Tour 1961 5 black and white photographs

Includes photographs of tour bus and employees.

1/31 Seattle Engineering Department Work and Projects 1959-1964 16 black and white photographs

Specific projects include cleaning operations on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, repair warnings for the Lake Washington Floating Bridge, and an accident at Aurora and Prospect.

 1/32 Seattle Engineering Department Work and Projects 1947-1967 7 black and white photographs; 1 color photograph

Specific projects include 15th Ave. West widening, work at 44th and Sunset, and the North End Transfer site. One image of men working on a telephone pole is dated 1947 and may be from City Light.