Salt Springs Dam Photograph Album, 1929-1930

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Summary

Title:
Salt Springs Dam Photograph Album
Dates:
1929-1930
Abstract:
Photograph album of 96 original black and white snapshots mostly depicting the construction of the Salt Springs Dam, on the North Fork of the Mokelumne River in Amador and Calaveras Counties, California. The photo album dates from 1929 to 1930. The Salt Springs Dam, in Amador and Calaveras Counties, was started in 1926 and completed in 1931 and had at one point over 1700 people employed on its construction. It was responsible for forming the Salt Springs Reservoir. The reservoir is located in the eastern portions of Amador County and Calaveras County of California in the Sierra Nevada. Text provided by Carmen D. Valentino : American Historical Manuscripts.
Extent:
1 item
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Salt Springs Dam Photograph Album. MC371, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Background

Scope and content:

The photograph album measuring 11 ¼" x 7 ½", is bound in black cloth covered limp boards with a tied binding. Contains 16 pages of photographs plus blanks, comprising 96 original photographs, all but 8 are affixed to the pages within the album by paper corner hinges and mounted to the pages. Each print is 2 ¾" x 4 ½" (or the reverse), with several that are smaller; all but the last five pages of photos (19 photos) contain period identifying captions, lettered in white on the black paper beneath every photograph. Only 1 of the 8 loose photos is labeled, but undated. The album's photographs are dated from at least June 1929 to Feb 1930. The photographs within this album document some of the process of constructing the dam such as the construction machinery shoveling, digging, hauling, dumping, accidents that damaged machinery, etc. There are also overall images depicting the layout of the camp and showing the housing – including a few interior views of one bunkhouse, and images of the results of a hunting expedition. Also, there are several images of the dam face in 1929, the Crusher plant, as well drill, and quarry. Also includes a selection of the photographer's leisurely pursuits, and his appreciation of the local scenery. Included are many images of snow-trapped vehicles and buildings, as well as the Mokelumne River, fishing and swimming, deer, bears, flowers, and snakes, and more. One photo is labeled "Florence, Betty, Floyde, and myself in Ouray, Colo.," thus giving a picture of the photographer. Another photo is labeled "Wert, Roddie, and myself," thus again giving a picture of the photographer. When the two photographs are compared, it would appear to be that the photographer is a rather tall thin gentleman. He does not appear to be a construction worker, but rather perhaps a manager or engineer, it is not clear, but his posing with construction workers and labeling the photos with the first name only of some, seems to reveal that the photographer did something to do with the dam construction project, perhaps an engineer, management, or perhaps the site's photographer.

Also included: commercially photographed color tinted print of the nearly completed Salt Springs Dam, measuring 11 ½" x 7 ½", inscribed on rear "Salt Springs Dam (1929-1931)."

Text provided by Carmen D. Valentino : American Historical Manuscripts.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Carmen D. Valentino : American Historical Manuscripts, April 2024.
Processing information:

Elizabeth Wood created this finding aid with information supplied by the seller.

Physical location:
Researchers should contact Archives and Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Elizabeth Wood
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-03-11 11:30:59 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Salt Springs Dam Photograph Album. MC371, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library
100 NW Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292, US
Contact:
(530) 752-1621
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
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