Sunday, August 6, 2017

1948 Midway Substation

Courtesy of  Vintage Tri-Cities.



Here is what  that page said about the photo:

"The substation is located near Vernita on the Columbia River Northwest of Richland. Due to the substation being in the middle of a desolate area, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) erected a small community adjacent to the substation for construction workers, substation operators, and maintenance personnel. It was complete with family housing, a dorm for single workers, a fire station, post office, and a school. The first housing was completed in 1942 with an additional 13 residences added later. Trees, flowers, and other landscaping was added as well. The substation also provided power to the Hanford site for the top secret Manhattan project.

"Due to automation of the substation in the late 1980's, there was no longer a need to house workers on site. The small community was removed and the landscape was returned to a desert environment."

Of note to me is the railroad yard in the background, a place called Riverland, where cars from the Milwaukee Road were interchanged to the Hanford Works railroad for further forwarding.