Harold Christy Schwalen papers
View of Picacho Peak and surrounding mountains, 1938.
Collection area: University of Arizona
Collection dates: 1896-1967 bulk (bulk 1919-1965)
Though some papers date as far back as 1906, the collection mainly contains data from Schwalen's various research projects after 1919. The only personal information deals with his post graduate studies, membership in professional organizations (1939-1963), and records that cover his employment with the University of Arizona (1930-1963).
The remainder of the Schwalen papers contain research notes and calculations, maps, photographs, correspondence, and reports that cover the Dept. of Soils Water and Engineering consulting projects (1931-1966), work at the University's Experiment stations (1922-1965), surface and groundwater studies in Arizona (1917- 1963). Additionally, there is a collection of manuscript reports by Schwalen and others (1914-1952), legal documents and miscellaneous studies on water-related topics. Where dates are absent none could be determined.
Two linear feet of photographs (1919-1966) deal with such topics as floods and erosion, well drilling, pumping equipment, weirs, sprinkler irrigation, adobe construction and others. Original order has been retained due to the difficulty of identifying many of the photos. These are organized by subject or place, and in some cases, by township and range. Approximately 2000 unidentified negatives have been filed under topics or places where possible. The Library would appreciate researchers' help in making further identification.
Recorder strips for Cortaro Farms span the years 1918 to 1964. Individual strips were not retained if summary tabulations were available. This is also true of weather charts. The Library retained charts from 1917-1941, which are years for which we lack published data.
Harold Christy Schwalen was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on August 1, 1895. He moved to Tucson in 1904, where he attended public school. The University of Arizona awarded his B.S., Mechanical Engineering in 1917; M.S., Civil Engineering, in 1925; and C.E. Professional degree in 1946. Between 1930 and 1931, Schwalen attended the Universities of Iowa and Wisconsin for advanced course work in hydrology and geology. Schwalen joined the faculty of the Agricultural Engineering Department in 1919, after two years' service with the 340th Field Artillery in France during World War I. He terminated active service with the University in 1965, having achieved the longest record of full-time service of any person who has ever retired from the University of Arizona.
During his years with the Department of Agriculture Engineering, Schwalen served as Assistant Irrigation Engineer; Assistant Agricultural Engineer at the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station, Professor and Head of the Agricultural Engineering Department between 1945 and 1959, and Professor and Agricultural Engineer to 1965.The quality of his service was commensurate with the length of time he served the University. His name was virtually synonymous with the University in matters relating to agricultural engineering and particularly with reference to problems of water supply and usage in the state of Arizona.
His research dealt with the location, drilling, and testing of irrigation wells, the design and operation of pumping plants, and the conveyance of irrigation water from the point of supply to crop land. Other work concerned the diversion of flood waters in the recharging of underground reservoirs and the maintenance of water resources. His reports and publications concerning his research have been widely used in furthering water conservation and development in Arizona and the nation.
During World War II, Schwalen was granted leave to accept the appointment, Senior Irrigation Engineer for the Guayule Emergeny Rubber Project U. S. D. A., 1942-1943.
Schwalen held memberships in Kappa Sigma fraternity, the Masonic Lodge, Tucson Rotary Club, and the Old Pueblo Club. He additionally belonged to numerous professional and learned societies. He was a member of the committee on groundwater of the American Society of Civil Engineers; president and director, Arizona Section, American Society of Civil Engineers, president, Pacific Coast Section; and Arizona director of the National Reclamation Association. He is listed in
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