| DACS Field Name | Value |
|---|---|
| 2.1: Reference Code: | us-gaua-93-21 |
| 2.2: Repository Location : | Reese Library Special Collections, Augusta State University 2500 Walton Way, Augusta GA. 30904-2200 |
| 2.3: Title: | Photographs Savannah River Development |
| 2.4: Date: | 1912-1914 |
| 2.5: Extent: | 0.5 linear feet; 1 Hollinger box |
| 2.6: Creator: | R. W. Spofford |
| 3.1: Scope and Content: | Originally a bound black paper photograph album labeled Savannah River Development of Georgia Carolina Power Company, the photographs show the construction of the Stevens Creek hydroelectric dam. There are several shots taken farther down the Savannah River, including shots of Sibley Mill and the Confederate Powderworks Chimney. The album also contains a specs sheet and chronology noting that the first power was generated February 16, 1914 |
| 2.7: Administrative / Biographical History: |
Material was accessioned in 1993. Donor is unknown. Material was dismantled and rehoused in June/July 2010. The industrial expansion of the city of Augusta encouraged the hydroelectric development of the Savannah River. The Georgia-Carolina Power Company built the Stevens Creek hydroelectric facility between 1912 and 1914,and it was the first facility of its kind built on the Savannah River. When the project was completed, local newspapers hailed it as the most advanced engineering feat of its kind in the Southeast. All the major mechanical components of the original five units (including the generators), the dam, and the powerhouse that are in operation today date to the original construction of the plant. The plant consists of a dam, which impounds water in a pool or reservoir behind it, and a powerhouse, where electricity is generated. The Stevens Creek dam has a 2,000-foot spillway. At one end of the spillway is a lock, 90 feet wide and 165 feet long, that was actively used until the 1950s to allow passage of barges and boats. The three-level powerhouse has a concrete substructure, or foundation, containing the plant's water wheels. Each wheel is connected to a generator mounted on the floor of the steel framed, brick-covered superstructure. (Quoted from Stevens Creek Hydroelectric Project: Significant Historic and Archeological Resources p. 15 published by SCG&E: a SCANA Company http://www.sceg.com/NR/rdonlyres/25DD5351-2826-478B-9691-BE26A3F1CEB3/0/StevensCreekReport.pdf.) R. W. Spofford had served as general manager of the Augusta-Aiken Railway and Electric Corporation before its merger with Georgia-Carolina Power Company and is listed as such in the 1914 Augusta City Directory. |
| 4.1: Access: | no restrictions |
| 4.5: Language and Scripts of the Materials: | English |
| Inventory: |
Folder 1 page 1/2, Stevens Creek dam specs and chronology Folder 2 page 3/4, site preparation Folder 3 page 5/6, early stages of construction on coffer dam Folder 4 page 7/8, work camp Folder 5 page 9/10, fill gravel and grading Folder 6 page 11/12, hoists and site office Folder 7 page 12/13, railway track Folder 8 page 14/15, first level construction Folder 9 page 16/17, clearing land Folder 10 page 18/19, first level construction Folder 11.page 20/21, first stage turbine construction Folder 12 page 22/23, construction on outflows Folder 13 page 24/25, first concrete sheathing Folder 14 page 26/27, second stage construction Original order is compromised at page 14. Pages split in half and were stacked within binding Folder 15 page 28/29, Outflows sheathed Folder 16 page 30/31, Brick powerhouse shell Folder 17 page 32/33, turbines with upper level construction Folder 18 page 34/35, pontoon forms Folder 19 page 36/37, spillway close-ups Folder 20 page 38/39, turbines close ups Folder 21 page 40/41, explosion and generator room Folder 22 page 42/43, footer forms and group of businessmen Folder 23 page 44/45, interior of turbine shafts and electric lines Folder 24 page 46/47, river views and generator house Folder 25 page 48/49, generator room and substation views Original order resumed with page 48 Folder 26 page 50/51, high voltage poles and Sibley Mill Folder 27 page 52/53, high voltage poles and Sibley Mill (2) Folder 28 page 54/55, high voltage poles and river views Folder 29 page 56/57, substation Folder 30 original cover |