John S. Volpe photographs collection

Collection

Identifier: Org. Lot 274

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of photographs and printed materials relating to John S. Volpe's career as an engineer at the Portland Electric Power Company (PEPCO), later named the Portland General Electric Company, where he worked primarily with the installation of underground cables. The collection features many images of electrical work throughout the city from the 1920s through the early 1950s. Included are images of Volpe; a photograph album documenting the installation of the first submerged electrical cable system in Oregon, circa 1945; images of cables being laid in downtown Portland; photographs of work sites and utility poles; and images of PEPCO employees and events. Photographs also include the visit of the plane Spirit of St. Louis to Portland in the late 1920s. Printed materials in the collection consist of General Electric and Westinghouse booklets of rules, guidelines and reference; newspaper clippings regarding work by PEPCO and PGE; a 1927 commendation letter to Volpe from the president of PEPCO; and notice that Volpe received honors in 1951.

Dates

1917-1952

Creator

Volpe, John S. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Biographical note

John S. Volpe served as superintendent of the Underground Distribution Department at the Portland Electric Power Company (PEPCO), later named the Portland General Electric Company, from the early 1920s through his retirement in 1952. He was in charge of the project for the first electrical cable submerged under the Willamette River, hooking the west side to the east side, which was completed in April 1945, as well as many subsequent submerged cable projects.

Volpe received a 1927 commendation letter from the president of PEPCO, likely given for month-long management of a cable failure and fire and subsequent massive repairs on September 6, 1927. He also received honors in 1951, close to his retirement, for “pioneering work in the engineering and operating field as superintendent of PGE’s underground distribution system.” For this, he was given lifetime membership in the Northwest Electric Light and Power association.

Extent

0.4 Cubic Feet (1 document case)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Photographs and printed materials relating to the work of John S. Volpe, an engineer for the Portland Electric Power Company (later named the Portland General Electric Company) in Portland, Oregon, who supervised the laying of underground utility cables. Images date from the mid-1920s to the early 1950s; they document electrical work throughout Portland, and include photographs of John S. Volpe, cable-laying and submerged-cable projects, and employees and company events.