United States Bureau of Reclamation photograph collection
Agricultural Workers Thrashing Hay
Collection area: Arizona and Southwest
Collection dates: 1901-1912
31 photographs, 1901-1912. Includes photographs of irrigation projects and agricultural activities in Yuma, Mesa, and Phoenix, Arizona as well as at the Roosevelt Dam and Salt River Project. A small number of street scenes and buildings in Tucson, Phoenix, and Yuma are included as well. Roosevelt Dam images include views of the completed dam and its dedication. There are also images of San Xavier Mission, the University of Arizona’s Old Main building, Phoenix’s Adams Hotel, and Windsor Ranch and Madison Avenue in Yuma. Highlights include Yuma’s celebration of the completion of the Siphon (an irrigation project), Heard Ranch cattle, workers threshing grain, and freight teams.
Established in 1902, the U. S. Reclamation Service, later known as the United States Bureau of Reclamation, was created to manage, develop and protect water resources. The department was responsible for construction of dams, primarily in the arid western United States, as well as hydroelectric plants, flood control, and water diversion and allocation. The department continues to manage more than 180 projects in seventeen western states.
A collection guide explains what's in a collection. New to using our collections? Learn how to use a collection guide.
Collection guideAccess this collection
Visit us in person to access materials from this collection. Our materials are one-of-a-kind and require special care, so they can’t be checked out or taken home.
How to cite
Learn how to cite and use materials from Special Collections in your research.