City Light James D. Ross Reference Material
Scope and Contents note
Miscellaneous writings and publications related to the career of James D. Ross, former superintendent of Seattle City Light. Items include biographical materials compiled by third parties, writings by Ross related to public ownership of utilities, transcripts of radio talks by Ross, and an obituary for Ross published in the Bonneville Spark. Also included are four photographs. This small body of material was created as a reference collection in the City Light Superintendent's office.
Dates
- Creation: 1911-1996
Creator
- Seattle City Light (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access note
Records are open to the public.
Biographical Note
James Delmage (J. D.) Ross, known as the Father of Seattle City Light, was Born in Chatham, Ontario in 1872. Ross left for the Northwest in 1898, became an assistant city engineer for the City of Seattle in 1902 and designed the City’s first hydroelectric dam on the Cedar River. In 1911 Ross was appointed Superintendent of the newly-created City Light department, a post he held for the rest of his life. Although he was fired by Mayor Edwards in 1931, Ross was rehired the same year following Edwards’ recall. A tireless advocate of municipal ownership of public utilities, Ross won the rights to develop hydroelectric projects on the Skagit River. Under his leadership, the Gorge Dam and powerhouse were completed, as well as the Diablo Dam project. In 1937 President Roosevelt appointed Ross a commissioner on the Securities and Exchange Commission and shortly thereafter named him as the first administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration. Ross continued to serve as Superintendent of City Light during this time and initiated a third power project on the Skagit, Ruby Dam, before his death in 1939.
Extent
0.2 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Writings and publications regarding J. D. Ross
Arrangement note
Arranged into three series: J. D. Ross Writings, Writings about J. D. Ross and Photographs
Subject
- Ross, J. D. (James Delmage), 1872-1939 (Person)
- Seattle (Wash.). Lighting Dept. (Organization)
- Seattle City Light (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Seattle City Light Superintendent James D. Ross Reference Material 1911-1996
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Janet Ness
- Date
- © 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for processing this record series was provided through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
- EAD Location
- http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv61367
Repository Details
Part of the Seattle Municipal Archives Repository