Negatives documenting company activities, including electrical infrastructure, employees, power generation and distribution throughout Portland, the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Cascade Range. Additional general images include streetcars and trains, street lighting, power line installation, Rose Festival floats, office buildings, car barns and bridges. Of particular note are dam building projects at Bull Run and along the Clackamas River (1910-1930), and early electric stations in Oregon City at Willamette Falls.
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the Bonneville power plant at the Bonneville Dam. The road leading to the plant is lined with flowers and a body of water is to the right. There are several power lines in the sky, transmitting electricity from the plant. Handwriting on negative reads, "Bonneville Power Plant. Columbia River Highway, Oregon. Christian 507."
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the Bonneville Dam. Water rushes through several spillway gates, also known as floodgates or stop gates. Handwriting on negative reads, "Spillway Gates Bonneville Dam, Oregon. Christian 11-509."
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the Bonneville Dam and a fish ladder in the foreground. Water rushes through the open spillway gates, also known as floodgates, of the dam on the Columbia River. There is a large mountain in the background. Handwriting on negative reads, "Bonneville Dam - Fish Ladder." There are markings near the top of the negative.
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the generators at the Bonneville Dam. The generators are circular machines lined up in a large open room. Handwriting on negative reads, "Generators - Bonneville Dam. Christian 11-623."
Negative of a photographic postcard showing an aerial view of the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River in the Columbia River Gorge. Water rushes out of the spillway gates, also known as floodgates, of the dam. View looks east past the dam and up the river. Handwriting on negative reads, "Bonneville Dam - Oregon - Washington. Christian 11-625." Number printed in bottom right corner: 112189
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the Mill River Power Plant at the River Mill Dam in Estacada, Oregon. Water from the Clackamas River goes over the spillway in the background. Power lines carry electricity from the plant. Handwriting on negative reads, "Mill River Power Plant - Estacada, Ore. Christian 11-6007."
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the Mill River Power Plant at the River Mill Dam in Estacada, Oregon. Water from the Clackamas River goes over the spillway. Handwriting on negative reads, "Mill River Power Plant - Estacada, Ore. Christian 11-6010."
An aerial view showing the Willamette River in Oregon City, looking south. A dam can be seen at Willamette Falls, with a Portland General Electric hydroelectric power plant visible on the right side of the river. Roads are on either side of the river. Photographed with a K-25 camera (negative 2 of 14).
An aerial view showing the Willamette River in Oregon City, looking south. The Oregon City Arch Bridge crosses the Willamette River, to the west of Main Street. Willamette Falls, and a Portland General Electric dam and hydroelectric power plant can be seen on the river to the south of the bridge. Streets and houses in a grid pattern are on the east side of the river. Photographed with a K-25 camera (negative 3 of 14).
A line of automobiles driving on the access road across McNary Dam from the Washington to Oregon side of the Columbia River to attend the dedication ceremony for the Umatilla Bridge. Infrastructure for the hydroelectric power plant is visible on top of the dam on the left side of the photograph (negative 1 of 9).
Photograph of River Mill Dam looking upstream. The powerhouse can be seen to the right of the large dam structure, with a smaller wooden building to the front. In the background, a distant railroad bridge can be seen.
Photograph of the River Mill Dam, showing recently cut trees and possibly dam structure under construction. Water can be seen at the front of the frame.
Photograph showing the exterior of the River Mill Dam powerhouse, likely shortly after construction. Loose hillsides can be seen to the left and right of the building, with transmission lines throughout (image note: corner of glass negative is broken and missing).
Photograph of the interior of the River Mill Dam (Station M) showing heavy head gate machinery. Several rows of large gears are visible, and large windows can be seen on all walls.
Photograph taken from a side angle of the River Mill Dam and powerhouse, showing exterior of building and view of dam structure. Water from the Clackamas River can be seen moving over the dam, and trees and transmission lines are visible in the distance.
Photograph of the River Mill Dam powerhouse taken from a high angle, looking downwards. In the background, the dam structure and transmission lines can be seen.
Photograph taken from a bridge and looking downriver at the River Mill Dam and powerhouse. The Dam structure can be seen on the left, with the powerhouse building on the right.
Photograph of the interior of the River Mill Dam (Station M) showing generator machinery. Written on the side of the front unit is “General Electric Company.” Three people can be seen in the photo, two of which are looking at the camera.
Photograph taken from a high angle showing a man in a hat and long jacket standing in a incomplete switch room. The floor is lined with metal mesh sheeting with pipes. Written on the negative is “E301-0-3420.”
Photograph taken from a side angle showing the incomplete powerhouse at the Little Sandy Dam. The building is surrounded by wooden scaffolding, with wood debris littering the ground. Works can be seen throughout the image. Written on the negative is “#23 Oct, 10. 1911.”
Photograph showing the exterior to power plant buildings at the Little Sandy Dam, seen in a wooded setting. Two large buildings can be seen on a hillside, each with large windows. The building near the left side of the frame also includes transformer infrastructure on its roof. Written on the negative is “0356.”
Photograph showing construction at the Big Sandy Dam (likely the Marmot Dam). In the foreground, two men stand on top of the wooden spillway structure, while other works can be seen in the background towards the hillside. Gravel and more wood can be seen towards the top of the hill. Written on the image is B.S-37.”
Photograph of Bull Run powerhouse, with two buildings. The river is visible on the right side at the bottom of the building. Trees and transmission lines are visible in the distance.
Photograph showing the incomplete interior of the powerhouse building at the Little Sandy Dam. Near the center of the frame, a man stands with folded arms looking towards the camera. Wooden scaffolding is visible throughout the image. In the background, a hillside of dirt and debris can be seen outside the building. Written on the negative is “E301-0-3405.” (Image note: discoloration visible at the right side of the frame).
Photograph showing a man in work wear standing next to a generator unit at the Little Sandy Dam. Other units can be seen in the background of the image, while a raised platform with a ladder is behind the front unit. Written on the negative is “No 2 unit, 1-29-12, Bull Run Ore. (47).