Seattle City Light Field System Operations Digital Photograph Collection, 2005-2007

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle City Light
Title
Seattle City Light Field System Operations Digital Photograph Collection
Dates
2005-2007 (inclusive)
Quantity
21 digital image files
Collection Number
1204-18
Summary
Images of damage to transmission poles and transformers caused by auto accidents and weather-related incidents.
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

Historical NoteReturn to Top

City Light provides electricity, electrical, and conservation services to its publis and private customers. It is the larget public utility in the Pacific Northwest. Public responsibilitiy for electrcial energy dates to 1890 with creation of the Department of Lighting and Water Works. In 1902, Seattle voters passed a bond issue to develop hydroelectric power on the Cedar River under the administration of the Water Department. Electricity from this development began to serve Seattle in 1905. A City Charter amendment in 1910 created the Lighting Department. Under the leadership of Superintendent James D. Ross, the department developed the Skagit River hydroelectric project which began supplying power in 1924. Both public and private power was supplied to Seattle until 1951 when the City purchased the private electrical supply operations, make the Lighting Department the sole supplier. The Boundary Project in northeastern Washington began operations in 1967 and supplied over half of City Light's power generation. By the early 21st century, approximately ten percent of City Light's income came from the sale of surplus energy to customers in the Northwest and Southwest with the remainder of City Light's financial support coming from customer revenue. The current name of the agency was adopted in 1978 when the Department was reorganized.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Features images of damage to transmission poles and transformers caused by auto accidents and weather-related incidents. Also includes images of damage caused by high winds in the November 2006 Hanukkah Eve Windstorm. Images can be viewed on our digital platform. View 1204-18 online

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item number.] Seattle City Light Field System Operations Digital Photograph Collection, Record Series 1204-18. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Photographs acquired through the Seattle Municipal Archives Digital Image Management Program.

Future Additions

This series may grow due to continued accessioning through the Digital Image Management Program. This finding aid will be updated to reflect additional accessions.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Neighborhoods--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Traffic Accidents--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Transmission Lines--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Weather--Washington (State)--Seattle

Corporate Names

  • Seattle (Wash.). Dept. of Lighting
  • Seattle City Light

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)