Priest Rapids Irrigation District Records, 1909-1954

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Priest Rapids Irrigation District
Title
Priest Rapids Irrigation District Records
Dates
1909-1954 (inclusive)
Quantity
14 containers., (8 linear feet of shelf space.), (5700 items.)
Collection Number
Cage 37
Summary
Correspondence of Fred J. Cunningham with water users, contractors, public works agencies; deeds, water and electricity contracts and other agreements; financial and administrative records; and papers concerning the dissolution of the district following the seizure of its properties by the federal government for use by the Manhattan District Atomic Energy Project.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Priest Rapids Irrigation District, White Bluffs and Hanford, Washington, a quasi-municipal corporation, was first organized by the Benton County Commissioners in 1920, but remained inactive until the early 1930's when it acquired the properties of two bankrupt firms, the Black Rock Power and Irrigation Company and Consumers Ditch Company. From 1931 to 1943 the district operated as a governmental business dealing in irrigation, electrical power and real estate development and known as the Hanford Irrigation Project. In early 1943, the district's properties were taken over by the federal government and were placed under the Manhattan District of the United States Army for use as an atomic energy facility. Because of the confusion caused by the swiftness of the government seizure, the district was not dissolved, nor its assets fully liquidated, until 1951.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The records consist primarily of correspondence of the secretary of the district, deeds, contracts and similar legal papers relating to the operation of the district, financial records which were maintained by the Benton County Treasurer, and papers concerning the lawsuits over the dissolution of the district.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]. Cage 37, Priest Rapids Irrigation District Records. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Records emanating from district operations between 1920 and 1943 are arranged in one alphabetical series. Following this is a short sequence of material concerning the dissolution of the district. The additional material donated by Mary Harris is in Containers 15-17, filed separately after the original donation.

Acquisition Information

The records of the Priest Rapids Irrigation District were donated to Washington State University by Mrs, Fred M. Harris of Yakima, Washington, in 1958. Further records were donated by Mary Harris in early 1973.

Processing Note

The records of the Priest Rapids Irrigation District were initially processed by Lawrence R. Stark, September, 1972. Further records were donated in early 1973 and processed by Lawrence R. Stark, April, 1973.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Acquisition of propertiesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Address listReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Agreements - MiscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Allis-Chalmers CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

American Blueprint CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Annual reports--Priest Rapids Irrigation DistrictReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Arrowsmith Iron WorksReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Assessment receiptsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Auditor's Report--Washington StateReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Ballots for bond election, October, 1938.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Bank deposits and withdrawalsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Bank statementsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Banks, Frank AReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1

Barge, C. E.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Beeuwkes, R. (Milwaukee Railroad) engineering reportsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Benton County Treasurer's receipts, 1941.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Benton County Utility DistrictReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Bids on Priest Rapids Irrigation District junkReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Bills and old invoicesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Bills of saleReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

BlueprintsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Board meetingReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Boie, H. H.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Bond application $175,000Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Bond election and issue of bonds, June, 1940.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Bond paymentsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Bond report dataReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Bonneville Power AdministrationReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2

Brown, A.J.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Brown Brothers, Priest RapidsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

BudgetsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Calzo, PeteReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Certificates of redemptionReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Cheney and HutchinsonReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Circular lettersReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Claims, 1943Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Claims to be submitted to Board of DirectorsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Miscellaneous collectionsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Collens, LeonardReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Department of Conservation and Development--Washington StateReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

ContractsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3

Correspondence, miscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 4

Correspondence with Marvin Chase, receiver, Black Rock CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 4

County auditorReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 4

County treasurerReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 4

Cox, OmarReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 4

Cross-section paperReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 4

Cunningham, Fred J.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 4

Deeds to Irrigation DistrictReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Delinquent lists by county treasurerReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

DirectorsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Dishon, CharlesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Dunning noticesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Employer's papersReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Estimates, miscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

ExclusionsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Federal Emergency AdministrationReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Federal Land BankReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Federal Pipe and Tank CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Federal Power CommissionReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Federal Public WorksReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Federation of Yakima Valley Irrigation DistrictsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Financial statementsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Fonda, Mary E.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Fosseen's Incorporated, YakimaReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 5

Garsi, S.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Gas reportsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

General Electric CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

General Petroleum CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Generator bids and depositsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Geological surveyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Graybar Electric CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Grazing leasesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Hall, G.D.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Hanford contractsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Haynes, Manley B.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Department of HydraulicsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Insurance policiesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Inquiries on 1935 tolls and assessmentsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Kennedy, E.D., et al v. Marvin Chase, receiverReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 6

Department of Labor and IndustriesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Land contractsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Land salesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Land settlementReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

LeasesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Legal opinionsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Legislative mattersReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Department of LicensesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Lowman-Hanford CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

McLean and Company re: bondsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Machine shops and suppliesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Manufacturers -- miscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Maps and photographsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 7

Meter readingsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 8

Miller and AdamsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 8

Milwaukee Railroad Company officialsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 8

Minutes and resolutionsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 8

MiscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 8

Moulton and Powell, attorniesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Division of Municipal CorporationsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Newspaper clippingsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Notes and mortgagesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

O'Brien, M.F.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 9

O'Brien, K. WagnerReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Oils and greasesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Old businessReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Pacific Power and Light CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Partlow, LonReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Pashen, H.F.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 9

PayrollsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

PetitionsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Picatti BrothersReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Pipeline construction--lateral "HReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Plans and specificationsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

PlatsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Poll book for bond election, October, 1938.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Power dopeReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Power statements, 1940.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 9

Priest Rapids Development CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Priest Rapids Irrigation DistrictReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Priority rating and correspondenceReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Private and district landsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Prosicuting [sic] Attorney, Benton CountyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

ProsserReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Department of Public LandsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Public Works AdministrationReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Pump information, Consolidated Builders, Inc. [Grand Coulee Dam]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Receipts, miscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Reconstruction Finance CorporationReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 10

Redemption receipts, 1940-1942Return to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Refunding bond issueReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Reports, federal and stateReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Roberts pumping plant estimatesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Salvini, B. [John Bert]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Salvina, James P.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Sanford, Charles M.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Secretary's manualReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Standard Oil CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

State and governmental departmentsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

State auditorReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

State tax commissionReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

State treasurerReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Statements [of predecessor companies]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Supply firmsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 11

Tax scheduleReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Victory tax and withholding taxReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Technical dataReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Tinling and Powell, attorniesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Toll receipts, 1952Return to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Transfers [of contracts], 1936Return to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Treasurer's receipts, 1943Return to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Unemployment compensationReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Union Oil CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Yakima Valley Iron WorksReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Letters in which warrants were sentReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Washington Rural Rehabilitation CorporationReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Water chargesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Water contractsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Water deliveriesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Water informationReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 12

Water statementsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 13

Water usersReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 13

Webber, LeoReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 13

Westinghouse Electric CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 13

Woodward Governor CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 13

C.F. Wooten caseReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 13

Works Progress AdministrationReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 13

XYZ [Miscellaneous]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 13

Yakima CountyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 13

Yakima Hardware CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 13

Yearly totals, 1936Return to Top

Container(s): Box 13

Condemnation and dissolution of the Priest Rapids Irrigation District, 1943-1951.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 14

Priest Rapids Irrigation District FilesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
15
Minutes and resolutions
 1938-1944
15
Copies of PRID deeds
15
Land Remittance Ration: Priest Rapids Land Development Company
15
United States Army
15
War Department
15
Description of Bonds issued in 1940
15
Application to Reconstruction Finance Corporation
 1933
15
White Bluffs--Hanford Project as proposed by Citizens Committee
 1919

Condemnation and liquidation: Correspondence, briefs, depositions and related papers, mostly dealing with legal matters, 1943-1954.Return to Top

Container(s): Box 16

Appraisals of PRID properties (Including photographs), 1908-09Return to Top

Container(s): Box 17

Transcripts and reports of trials before federal courts, 1947-1952Return to Top

Container(s): Box 17

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Irrigation -- Washington (State)--Benton County
  • Public works -- Washington (State)--Benton County

Personal Names

  • Cunningham, Fred J. --Archives (creator)
  • Harris, Fred Mrs. waps --Archives (donor)

Corporate Names

  • United States. Public Works Administration
  • Priest Rapids Irrigation District --Archives (creator)
  • United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Manhattan District
  • United States. Works Progress Administration
  • Washington (State). Dept. of Conservation and Development
  • Washington (State). Emergency Relief Administration (creator)

Finding aid prepared by Lawrence R. Stark
2012

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