William Hammond Hall collection of photographs on irrigation and hydrology in California, 1868-1917

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Summary

Creators:
Fryett, F.C. , Hall, Wm. Ham. (William Hammond), Mathews, H.E., Parker Photo, Rhea Brothers, San Diego View Company, Waite, C.B. (Charles Betts), 1861-1927, Watkins, Carleton E., 1829-1916, and Wesner, H.B.
Abstract:
Consists of photographs depicting irrigation and water projects throughout California and other western locations collected by William Hammond Hall. The photographs were probably collected while Hall acted as California's first State Engineer (1878-1888) and while he worked in the private sector as a civil engineer. The photographs span the years 1868 to 1917 and depict various water projects throughout California. The photographs comprise a variety of formats including albumen silver prints; gelatin silver print; and cyanotype. Photographers represented in the collection include Carleton E. Watkins; H.B. Wesner; H.E. Mathews; C.B. Waite; Rhea Brothers; San Diego View Company; Parker Photo (Francis Parker) and F.C. Fryett.
Extent:
4.06 Linear Feet 1 half legal document box; 1 legal document box; 2 flat boxes
Language:
English and Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item, date]; William Hammond Hall collection of photographs on irrigation and hydrology in California, PC 036; [box number, folder number]; California Historical Society.

Background

Scope and content:

Consists of photographs depicting irrigation and water projects throughout California and other western locations collected by William Hammond Hall. The photographs were probably collected while Hall acted as California's first State Engineer (1878-1888) and while he worked in the private sector as a civil engineer. While the State Engineer, Hall developed the first state-wide water resource plan and he continued to work on irrigation and hydroelectric projects throughout his life. The photographs span the years 1868 to 1917 and depict various water projects including the Golden Gate Dam on the Feather River in Butte County; agriculture and irrigation projects in Kern County; the flooding of the New River (San Gabriel River) in Los Angeles County; the Yuba Dam in Bear Valley, Nevada County; the Donner Dam and Lake in Donner Valley, Nevada County; the Mill Dam and Truckee River in Nevada County; the Yuba River in Placer County; the Lake Hemet Dam in Riverside County; the Bear Valley Dam in San Bernardino; the San Diego Flume and Sweetwater Dam in San Diego County; construction of the Santa Ana Canal by the Bear Valley Irrigation Company in San Bernardino County; and other unidentified water and irrigation projects in unidentified locations. The collection also contains three panoramas, a six plate panorama showing the city of Redlands looking east toward the San Bernardino Mountains; a two plate panorama showing a reflecting pool and garden in Redlands; and finally a six plate panorama showing the Santa Ana Canal in San Bernardino County. The photographs comprise a variety of formats including albumen silver prints; gelatin silver print;and cyanotype. Photographers represented in the collection include Carleton E. Watkins; H.B. Wesner; H.E. Mathews; C.B. Waite; Rhea Brothers; San Diego View Company; Parker Photo (Francis Parker) and F.C. Fryett. Most photographs have stamp on back that reads: Collection of William Hammond Hall, C.E., San Francisco, California, 1846-1934.

Biographical / historical:

William Hammond Hall was born in Hagerstown, Maryland in 1846. He joined the Army Corps of Engineers in 1865 as a draftsman, but later worked in Oregon and California preparing topographical surveys. In 1870 he was commissioned by the San Francisco Park Commission to prepare a topographical survey for what would become Golden Gate Park. He was then commissioned to design the park and became the park's superintendent in 1871. Hall resigned from the position in 1876, but continued to serve as Consulting Engineer to the San Francisco Park Commission. In 1878 Hall became California's first State Engineer. He developed the first state-wide water resource plan. He served until 1888. In 1890 Hall entered the private sector as a civil engineer, where he continued to work on hydroelectric and irrigation projects. He died in San Francisco in 1934.

Acquisition information:
Materials found in collection; provenance is unknown.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

California Historical Society collections have been transferred to Stanford University Libraries. Collections will be unavailable as Stanford accessions them and updates records. Please contact chscollection@stanford.edu with any inquiries.

Terms of access:

Materials in this collection, which were created in 1868-1917, are in the public domain in the United States. Permission to publish or reproduce is not required.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item, date]; William Hammond Hall collection of photographs on irrigation and hydrology in California, PC 036; [box number, folder number]; California Historical Society.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
chscollection@stanford.edu
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