Board of Public Works Annual Reports, 1908-1991

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle (Wash.). City Clerk
Title
Board of Public Works Annual Reports
Dates
1908-1991 (inclusive)
1947-1991 (bulk)
Quantity
0.8 cubic ft., (2 boxes)
Collection Number
1802-F3
Summary
Annual reports for the Seattle Board of Public Works. Reports provide statistical information, an overview of important areas of City development, and names of Board members.
Repository
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov
Access Restrictions

Records are open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Board of Public Works, originally established in the 1890 City Charter as a citizen group, was created to coordinate and handle contracting for public works projects. The Board also ensured that prevailing wage was paid on City projects. The Charter of 1896 reorganized the Board, and its members included the superintendents of City departments directly involved in public works. Members have included directors of Engineering, City Light, Water, Parks, and Administrative Services.

In 1968 the Underground Wiring Program was placed under supervision of the Board of Public Works. Resolution 21340 stipulated that the Departments of Lighting and Engineering, under the supervision of the Board of Public Works, should coordinate the placing of overhead facilities (such as electric and telephone wires) underground.

The Board was abolished by Charter amendment in 1992 and its functions absorbed by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). DAS was eliminated in 1997 and its functions assumed by the Executive Department.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Annual reports for the Board of Public Works. There are only two reports before 1947: 1908 and 1928. The reports beginning in 1947 are a good source for statistical information; some reports consist almost entirely of statistics. Information on the types of contracts awarded by the City is available in these reports. They also provide an overview of the main areas of development in the City, as they list addresses for Local Improvement Districts and general improvements relating to paving, water mains, and sewers, and for other general improvements. The reports also list the members of the Board.

Underground Wiring Reports are included and cover the years 1968 to 1976; the 1970 and 1972 reports are not included.

Reports from the late 1970s contain information on activities related to cable communications. There is also discussion, in the 1970s and 1980s, of the Board’s work towards more effective Women and Minority Business Enterprise utilization.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], Board of Public Works Annual Reports, Record Series 1802-F3. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Reports are arranged chronologically by year.

Custodial History

Records were originally filed with the City Clerk in the Comptroller/Clerk's Files (CFs) and were removed to create this record series.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

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

Board of Public Works Annual Reports, 1908-1990Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1908
1/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1946
1/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1947
1/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1948
1/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1949
1/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1950
1/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1951
1/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1952
1/3
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1953
1/3
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1954
1/3
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1955
1/3
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1956
1/4
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1957
1/4
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1958
1/4
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1959
1/4
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1960
1/5
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1961
1/5
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1962
1/5
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1963
1/5
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1964
1/5
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1965
1/6
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1966
1/6
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1967
1/6
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1968
1/6
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1969
1/7
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1970
1/7
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1971
1/7
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1972
1/7
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1973
1/7
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1974
1/7
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1975
2/1
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1976
2/1
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1977
2/1
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1978
2/1
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1979
2/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1980
2/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1981
2/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1982
2/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1983
2/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1984
2/2
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1985
2/3
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1986
2/3
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1987
2/3
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1988
2/4
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1989
2/4
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1990
2/5
Board of Public Works Annual Report
1991

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cable television--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Minority business enterprises--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Municipal engineering--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Public works--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Sewerage--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Streets--Washington (State)--Seattle--Maintenance and repair
  • Water-pipes--Washington (State)--Seattle--Maintenance and repair
  • Women-owned business enterprises--Washington (State)--Seattle

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)--Politics and government

Form or Genre Terms

  • Annual reports

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Seattle (Wash.) Board of Public Works (creator)