Seattle Bridges Photograph Album
Scope and Contents note
The images in this collection, taken by the Seattle Engineering Department, illustrate bridges, overpasses, and viaducts in the Seattle area as well as work that the Engineering Department performed on the structures. Structural materials, signs, neighboring businesses, Engineering Department employees at work, streetcars, and waterways are depicted in the photographs. Neighborhoods include the Industrial District, University District, and Downtown.
Photographs are pasted on black paper and each page is labeled and dated. The sizes of the prints vary from 3 1/2 x 5 to 5 x7.
Dates
- Creation: 1910-1936
Creator
- Seattle (Wash.). Engineering Dept. (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access note
Records are open to the public.
Historical note
The 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.
Full Extent
0.5 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Photographs of Seattle Engineering Department work on bridges, overpasses, and viaducts. Neighborhoods pictured include the Industrial District, University District, and Downtown.
Arrangement note
Photographs are grouped according to neighborhood and arranged alphabetically by neighborhood name.
General Note
Fremont Bridge before re-decking, 1936. Engineering Dept. Photographic Negatives. Seattle Municipal Archives.
Associated Digital Objects
Processing Information note
Pages were removed from albums and placed in folders.
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Seattle Bridges Photograph Album 1910-1932
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Anne Frantilla
- Date
- Š2002
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
- EAD Location
- http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv98163
Repository Details
Part of the Seattle Municipal Archives Repository