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San Marino, CA 91108
Visual Materials
Howard C. Armington photograph album of civil engineering projects in Colorado and California
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- Description
- A photograph album compiled by civil and mining engineer Howard C. Armington (1884-1966), documenting his work on early-20th century electrification and water projects in Colorado, and mining efforts and railroad construction in California. The album begins with Armington as a student at the Colorado School of Mines (1906 to 1907), followed by images of his work with the Central Colorado Power Company building the powerhouse and dam of the Shoshone Hydroelectric Plant Complex (1908 to 1909). Next are images of concrete pipes being laid at Nederland, Colorado, for what is now known as Barker Dam and Reservoir and the Kossler Reservoir. These are followed by images of cement production at the Western Cement Products Company in Pueblo, Colorado, featuring a crusher, furnace, curing sheds, and brick machines. The California portion of the album begins with images from 1911, when Armington became an engineer at Tumco, Imperial Valley, one of the earliest gold mining areas in California. There are about 40 images of mining operations, workers including possibly Mexican or Native American men, and overall views of the mining settlement. A group of more than 75 photographs illustrate work on the Big Creek Railroad (1912), built to transport men and supplies to the Big Creek Hydroelectric dam site for the Pacific Light and Power Company (later Southern California Edison Company). Images also show construction of the dam at Big Creek, and projects called Sierra Power and Kern River Canal (1913). The album also includes personal photographs of family and friends, including Armington's wife, Nona Ross Black. Additionally, there are four loose photographs: bird's-eye-views of the Colorado School of Mines, 1904, and a large group portrait of the graduating class of 1907, with a summary of Armington's career written on the back.
