Table Of ContentHYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
A Thesis
Presented to
the Faculty of the Department of History
University of Southern California
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Arts
by
Robert Charles Catren
June 1942
UMI Number: EP59496
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......... HPMRT..CMHLES.CATMN....... 717
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and approved by all its members, has been
presented to and accepted by the Council on
Graduate Study and Research in partial fulfill
ment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF ARTS
* A-rr.
Dean /
Secretary
June, 1942
FaculPp^Comniittee
_ . CChhairman
PREFACE
For a number of years this writer has held more than
an average interest in hydroelectric development in Califor
nia. The knowledge that many records had been achieved in
this state in the generation and transmission of hydro
electric energy created a desire to learn the contribution
which Southern California had made and hence has led to this
paper. By Southern California is meant that section of
California which is located south of the Tehachapi Mountains.
An introductory chapter is devoted to those activities
which brought to this section some of the earliest hydro
plants in the world. No claims to greatness or “firsts11 are
made except where those claims were established beyond doubt.
Reference to steam-electric generation and to hydroelectric
developments outside the section are made because of their
relation to future consolidations and events.
A second chapter carries the story of the creation of
an economic empire having as its very foundation the nucleus
of two hydroelectric giants. Their struggle for power takes
up the first decade of the new century. Many innovations
were made during this period. A growing section demanded
much from the waters of rivers which were quite distant.
Transmission of high-voltage became a companion development
of hydroelectric generation; the two are inseparable and
must be treated as such.
iii
The third chapter carries events up to 1930. New
companies creep into the Southland. Developments spread out
side the immediate section adding to transmission problems.
California* s super-power system is a resultant of hydroelec
tric advancements. This period saw many abrupt changes in
electrical generation. World War I made its demands, and
Southern California found itself in good position. In the
reconstruction period a source of electric power which would
guarantee this section's prosperity was sought, and the
ground work for Boulder Dam was laid.
A separate chapter on the municipal system of Los
Angeles carries the story of that city's first efforts to
establish a separate system together with its growth into a
gigantic hydroelectric enterprise. While the next section
of the paper contributes little to hydroelectric generation,
the expansion of transmission lines into Imperial Valley
demonstrates how important electrical energy has been in our
modern life. Boulder Dam, its erection and importance in
the affairs of Southern California, is expanded in the final
chapter.
It would be impossible to place the proper credit for
hydroelectric expansion In the Southland upon the shoulders
of personalities. Names are mentioned purely for their
historical significance and not In the light of their elec
trical prominence. An attempt has been made throughout the
lv
paper to simplify electrical terms so that an understanding
of electricity is not an essential element of appreciation.
The writing of this paper has been made easier by
the friendliness and the efforts of the members of my thesis
committee. I owe them my thanks and my appreciation. With
out the aid of my chairman, Dr. Owen C. Coy, the efficient
criticism of Dr. A. R. Kooker, and the pleasant cooperation
of Dr. Philip S. Biegler this work would have been of less
significance to me. In addition, I wish to thank all others
who have so generously aided me.
R. C. C.
Los Angeles, California
J une, 1942
H. H. SINCLAIR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. DEVELOPMENTS BEFORE 1900 ..................... 1
Along the streams and v a l l e y s ............. 1
A man with imagination ................... 3
Los Angeles is lighted ................... 4
The first plants ............................ 5
C. G. Baldwin of Pomona . ................. 6
Developments at Mill Creek ............... 8
The Los Angeles Edison Company . . . . . . 10
The Southern California Power Company . . . 12
Scott Franchise........................... 15
Early Combinations ....................... 17
II. • A DECADE OF THE GIANTS ..................... 21
Pacific Light and Power Company .......... 23
Edison Electric Company ................... 23
New Companies.............................. -27
Policy of the Federal government .......... 30
Kern River plant............................ 31
III. RIBBONS OVER DESERT S A N D S ................... 35
Beginnings of Big Creek Project .......... 35
Railroad Commission of California ........ 37
Rate regulations............................ 37
The Southern Sierrs.s Power Company . . . . 38
Big Creek power arrives ................... 41
vi
CHAPTER PAGE
III. (Continued)
The Nevada-California Electric Corporation . . . 43
Beginnings of the Super-power system ........... 45
Hydro generation and World War I ............. 47
Edison absorbs Mount Whitney Power ............. 51
The Water and Power A c t ....................... 54
Ontario Power Company taken over ............... 56
The Vincent L i n e ................................ 56
IV. MUNICIPAL POWER COMES TO LOS ANGELES............. 60
The first bond issue ......................... 61
Hydroelectric power from the aqueduct........ 63
A great event .................................. 67
Los Angeles in the electric business ........ 72
St. Francis Dam disaster ................ 73
Colorado River possibilities ................. 74
V. ELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT IN IMPERIAL VALLEY ........ 78
Juan Bautista de A n z a ......................... 79
The Great M a n .................................. 81
W. F. Holt .................................... 82
The Holton Power Company .................... 83
The end of a fight ........................... 84
Longest power transmission line ................. 87
Reduction in power rates ..................... 90
All-American Canal Report ..................... 91
Hydro plants in the Salton S i n k ............... 92
vii
CHAPTER PAG-E
VI. FROM OUT OF THE E A S T ....................... 94
Boulder Dam, a reality ............. 95
Transmission line problems.... ................ 96
Boulder power arrives in Los Angeles .......... 99
Bullshead D a m ................................ 100
Hydro development on the All-American Canal . 100
Edison lines to Boulder D a m ................. 103
The saturation point ....................... 105
The super-power system and World War II . . . 107
BIBLIOGRAPHY.......................................... 108
