City of Grand Rapids photograph collection at the Grand Rapids Public Library
Scope and Contents
The photographs in this collection were generated by two departments in the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, providing a unique record of various streetscapes in the city.
The Public Service Department photos document efforts by the city smoke inspector to record air pollution as well as several public works projects in the city, such as the widening of Division Avenue in the 1920s.
The Traffic Engineer's Department photos document bridges, grade separations and traffic lanes. The series has many views of expressways throughout the city as well as many aerial views of the city from the 1960s and 1970s. The series also contains many negatives for which there are no positive reproductions in the collection.
The content listings essentially document the 4x5 negatives, though there appears to be some duplication of the basic images in some of the other undescribed negatives.
Dates
- circa 1911-1971, n.d.
Creator
- Grand Rapids (Mich.). Traffic Engineer's Department (Organization)
- Grand Rapids (Mich.). Public Service Department (Organization)
Biographical / Historical
The City of Grand Rapids was organized in 1850, having been organized as a village in 1838. Through steady growth for approximately 100 years, the city has grown to cover 44 square miles.
No information on the history of the particular projects, or any other documents associated with the photo documentation projects is currently known.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (Four boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection includes photographs generated by two departments in the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Public Service Department photos document efforts by the city smoke inspector to record air pollution and public works projects in the city. The Traffic Engineer's Department photos document various street, traffic and grade separations in the city's street system. The images include the widening of South Division Avenue in the 1920s, views of expressways and aerial views from the 1960s and 1970s.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
City of Grand Rapids, 1989. Unknown accession number.
- Title
- Finding aid for the City of Grand Rapids photograph collection at the Grand Rapids Public Library
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Richard H. Harms
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org