Midway Steam Plant: A Case Study in Early Twentieth Century California Industrial and Electrical Development Midway Steam Plant, Buttonwillow, Kern County Polly Allen and Michelle Cross October 1, 2014
“Electricity is destined to be one of the most powerful factors entering our social condition” - Electrical Engineer ,1890 Night Illumination, Panama Pacific International Exposition, 1915 Los Angeles Electric Rail, 1909
San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation • Established in 1895 as San Joaquin Electric Company. • 37 Mile Transmission Line from Powerhouse #1 on the San Joaquin River to Fresno, longest in world at construction. • By 1920, the company operated 11 powerhouses and served 7 Counties. • Strong Promoter of agricultural interests and electrical pumping.
Hydro Under Pressure: Navigating Drought, Demand, and Development California Press 1918-1921
A Rush For Infrastructural Expansion Report of the California State Railroad Commission, 1921
Siting of the Midway Steam Plant: Proximity to Load Centers, Fuel Supplies, and Low-Priced Land Standard Hay Number 7, Elk Hills Miller and Lux Versus Southern Pacific, PG&E Archives, Bakersfield
Pushing Midway Online PG&E Archives Bakersfield
Layout of the Midway Steam Plant • Steam Plant • Cooling Pond • Cooling tower • Machine Shop • Warehouse • Spur • Wells • Gas Pipeline • Workers Cottages
An Irrigated Eden: Steam Plant Salesmanship Circa 1930 Plans for Midway Steam Plant Landscaping, (PGE Archives Bakersfield). 19/07/2016
Operating Midway Steam Plant: Demographic and Social Development United States Federal Census, 1930
A Step of Unusual Importance: The Pacific Service Merger and Ongoing Energy Consolidation
Post-War Expansion and Industry Transition
From Midway Steam Plant to Midway Substation 1966 Midway Substation Expansion (PG&E Archives Bakersfield) 1966 Demolition of Midway Steam Plant ( Buttonwillow Times )
Evolving Energy Infrastructure: Midway Today
Pacific Gas and Electric Company Substation Security Upgrade Project 2014 19/07/2016 View of Metcalf Substation located in Santa Clara County, California
Scope – Substation Security Upgrade Project This image cannot currently be displayed. 19/07/2016
The Midway Substation, Kern County View of former San Joaquin Light and Power Company Warehouse at the 19/07/2016 location of the Midway Substation, Kern County, California
Previous Archaeological Investigations and Studies of the Midway Steam Plant 19/07/2016
Previous Archaeological Investigations and Studies of the Midway Steam Plant 19/07/2016
Previous Archaeological Investigations and Studies of the Midway Steam Plant 19/07/2016
Approach to Archaeological Testing 19/07/2016
Georeferenced Historic Plan Map 19/07/2016
Results: What did we find? 19/07/2016
Redefined Site Boundaries 19/07/2016
Archaeological Evaluation: Ineligible for Listing in the NRHP or CRHR Potential Significance Under NRHP Criteria: • A : Associated with important advances in electrical generation and steam plant development. • C : Reflective of a cohesive operational and industrial design that is representative of period electrical generation facilities. • D : Has the potential to present important information regarding electrical generation and operations as well as social and domestic environmental conditions of the period. Potential Significance Undermined by Lack of Integrity: • No new information potential/data that cannot already be deduced from the archival/historical records; • Extant features, subsurface archaeological deposit, and associated historic materials do not convey significant information that would inform the available and robust archival record regarding the Midway Steam Plant. 19/07/2016
Approach to Architectural Inventory and Evaluation 1. Warehouse 2. Remnant slab associated with Powerhouse and Machine Shop 3. Remnant portions of perimeter of Cooling Pond 4. Remnant rails associated with SPRR Midway Steam Plant Spur 5. Remnant utility features associated with Midway Steam Plant Worker Cottages 19/07/2016
Site Inventory Storage Warehouse
Site Inventory Steam Plant Remnants
Site Inventory Southern Pacific Railroad Spur
Site Inventory Cooling Pond
Site Inventory Water Delivery Infrastructure, Worker Cottage Area
Site Inventory Remnants of Landscaping
Architectural Evaluation: Ineligible for Listing in the NRHP or CRHR Potential Significance Under NRHP Criteria: • A : Associated with important advances in electrical generation and steam plant development. • C : Reflective of a cohesive operational and industrial design that is representative of period electrical generation facilities. • D : Has the potential to present important information regarding electrical generation and operations as well as social and domestic environmental conditions of the period. Potential Significance Undermined by Lack of Integrity: • Materials • Workmanship • Design • Setting • Feeling • Association • Location
General Conclusions / Lessons Learned • Importance of Cultivating and Exploring Multiple Archival Sources • Utility Sites with Ongoing Development Contexts May Hold Multiple Evaluative Frameworks • Timely updating of DPR documentation necessary • Importance of detailed and exhaustive Historic Context to make determinations on eligibility for BOTH Archaeology and Architectural History • Importance of Physical Integrity in a Property’s Ability to Convey Significance.
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