Whitney Lake construction

This is George Lawrence, one of the key figures responsible for the formation of the Whitney Irrigation project. George and his wife, Jenny, lived just east of Whitney. George was active i ...

2009-06-14T14:59:56Z

Galey Media
This is George Lawrence, one of the key figures responsible for the formation of the Whitney Irrigation project. George and his wife, Jenny, lived just east of Whitney. George was active i ...

The appears to be a "BEFORE" photograph of the terrain now occupied by Whitney Lake. The area was often soggy and collected rainwater as a natural dam -- but the irrigation project ensured ...

2009-06-11T17:41:14Z

Galey Media
The appears to be a "BEFORE" photograph of the terrain now occupied by Whitney Lake. The area was often soggy and collected rainwater as a natural dam -- but the irrigation project ensured ...

This appears to be an "AFTER" photograph, taken subsequent to the activation of the diversion pipeline carrying water from White River to Whitney Lake.

2009-06-14T14:31:51Z

Galey Media
This appears to be an "AFTER" photograph, taken subsequent to the activation of the diversion pipeline carrying water from White River to Whitney Lake.

Surveyors and area farmers near Whitney Lake. This photo was likely taken in about 1923.

2009-06-11T17:56:25Z

Galey Media
Surveyors and area farmers near Whitney Lake. This photo was likely taken in about 1923.

Workers began construction at Whitney Lake in 1923.

2009-02-15T11:34:53Z

Galey Media
Workers began construction at Whitney Lake in 1923.

These tents accommodated the 80 mules and 50 horses used for earth work and construction of the Whitney Lake irrigation project from 1923-1925.

2009-06-11T17:45:49Z

Galey Media
These tents accommodated the 80 mules and 50 horses used for earth work and construction of the Whitney Lake irrigation project from 1923-1925.

This originally appeared to be farmers harvesting and loading sugar beets near Whitney. However, notes on the back of the photograph indicate it's workers preparing the lake bed.

2009-06-14T14:36:12Z

Galey Media
This originally appeared to be farmers harvesting and loading sugar beets near Whitney. However, notes on the back of the photograph indicate it's workers preparing the lake bed.

Another view of Whitney Lake construction in the years 1923-1925.

2009-06-11T17:47:19Z

Galey Media
Another view of Whitney Lake construction in the years 1923-1925.

This appears to be the trenching equipment used to dig the trench necessary for the diversion pipeline for Whitney Lake. Notes on the back of the photograph say the photo was taken near the ...

2009-06-11T17:51:54Z

Galey Media
This appears to be the trenching equipment used to dig the trench necessary for the diversion pipeline for Whitney Lake. Notes on the back of the photograph say the photo was taken near the ...

The soil in the project area was mostly heavy clay (commonly called "gumbo").

2009-06-14T14:35:04Z

Galey Media
The soil in the project area was mostly heavy clay (commonly called "gumbo").

The diversion route stretched 6 1/2 miles from White River to Whitney Lake. Notes on one of these photos noted that 5.36 miles of redwood pipeline were used. Which leads us to wonder about ...

2009-06-14T14:35:49Z

Galey Media
The diversion route stretched 6 1/2 miles from White River to Whitney Lake. Notes on one of these photos noted that 5.36 miles of redwood pipeline were used. Which leads us to wonder about ...

Another photo of the original pipeline feeding Whitney Lake. It was constructed in 1923-1925.

2009-02-15T11:32:31Z

Galey Media
Another photo of the original pipeline feeding Whitney Lake. It was constructed in 1923-1925.

The water for Whitney Lake was originally diverted from White River using this wooden pipeline constructed of redwood staves and metal straps. The line was 36" to 40" in diameter.

2009-06-11T17:38:35Z

Galey Media
The water for Whitney Lake was originally diverted from White River using this wooden pipeline constructed of redwood staves and metal straps. The line was 36" to 40" in diameter.

Preparatory to full operation of the Whitney Irrigation District, an "Irrigation School" was held at the Whitney school. Attendance appeared to be pretty good.

2009-06-14T15:11:38Z

Galey Media
Preparatory to full operation of the Whitney Irrigation District, an "Irrigation School" was held at the Whitney school. Attendance appeared to be pretty good.

These were attendees of the "Irrigation School" at the Whitney school in the 1920s.

2009-06-11T17:41:31Z

Galey Media
These were attendees of the "Irrigation School" at the Whitney school in the 1920s.

Preparing for the pouring of cement at Whitney Lake, circa 1924.

2009-02-15T11:37:02Z

Galey Media
Preparing for the pouring of cement at Whitney Lake, circa 1924.

Another view of construction at Whitney Lake near Whitney, Nebraska. This photo was taken near the "Rasmussen Outlet," probably in about 1924.

2009-06-11T17:46:29Z

Galey Media
Another view of construction at Whitney Lake near Whitney, Nebraska. This photo was taken near the "Rasmussen Outlet," probably in about 1924.

Pouring concret near "Rasmussen Outlet" at Whitney Lake in about 1924.

2009-06-11T17:38:25Z

Galey Media
Pouring concret near "Rasmussen Outlet" at Whitney Lake in about 1924.

Workers take a break near "Buckley Gates" during construction of the Whitney Lake project.

2009-02-15T11:36:28Z

Galey Media
Workers take a break near "Buckley Gates" during construction of the Whitney Lake project.

This image was captured near "Spearman Outlet."

2009-06-11T17:43:55Z

Galey Media
This image was captured near "Spearman Outlet."

Workers finalizing installation of the Whitney Lake pipeline. Photo was taken in about 1925.

2009-06-11T17:46:27Z

Galey Media
Workers finalizing installation of the Whitney Lake pipeline. Photo was taken in about 1925.

Water elevation drop -- looking north at "Rasmussen Outlet," part of the Whitney Lake project in 1924.

2009-06-11T17:45:22Z

Galey Media
Water elevation drop -- looking north at "Rasmussen Outlet," part of the Whitney Lake project in 1924.

Measuring the flow of water flowing through the irrigation ditches was important. Officials from the university came to provide guidance with the techniques necessary to conduct such measur ...

2009-06-11T17:54:32Z

Galey Media
Measuring the flow of water flowing through the irrigation ditches was important. Officials from the university came to provide guidance with the techniques necessary to conduct such measur ...

Water running north just below "Spearman Outlet" -- part of the Whitney Irrigation Project.

2009-06-14T14:26:19Z

Galey Media
Water running north just below "Spearman Outlet" -- part of the Whitney Irrigation Project.

A field of winter wheat. Note the shadow of the photographer in the foreground.

2009-06-14T14:37:00Z

Galey Media
A field of winter wheat. Note the shadow of the photographer in the foreground.

A haystack on the old Rasmussen place.

2009-02-15T11:32:29Z

Galey Media
A haystack on the old Rasmussen place.

The caption on the back of this old photograph identified this fellow as Cy Spearman. He was a part of the irrigation project and also served as Dawes County Sheriff.

2009-06-14T14:29:28Z

Galey Media
The caption on the back of this old photograph identified this fellow as Cy Spearman. He was a part of the irrigation project and also served as Dawes County Sheriff.

Rail cars of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad filled with sugar beets. Taken at Whitney, Nebraska in the late 1920s.

2009-02-15T11:35:50Z

Galey Media
Rail cars of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad filled with sugar beets. Taken at Whitney, Nebraska in the late 1920s.

Loading sugar beets aboard a Burlington Route freight car.

2009-06-11T17:34:03Z

Galey Media
Loading sugar beets aboard a Burlington Route freight car.

A view of the old beet dump near the railroad tracks in Whitney. Notes on the back of this photograph indicate that the "Jordan or Cunningham" house can be seen in the background.

2009-06-11T17:38:32Z

Galey Media
A view of the old beet dump near the railroad tracks in Whitney. Notes on the back of this photograph indicate that the "Jordan or Cunningham" house can be seen in the background.

Sugar beets arrive at the beet dump in Whitney. This photo was probably taken in about 1927.

2009-06-11T17:42:39Z

Galey Media
Sugar beets arrive at the beet dump in Whitney. This photo was probably taken in about 1927.

Whitney, Nebraska -- about 1927. This shows the sugar beet dump near the railroad station. The road at right is the old U.S. highway 20. The larger home near the top right of the picture ...

2009-06-11T17:31:49Z

Galey Media
Whitney, Nebraska -- about 1927. This shows the sugar beet dump near the railroad station. The road at right is the old U.S. highway 20. The larger home near the top right of the picture ...

This appears to be a weighing scale at the Whitney beet dump.

2009-06-11T17:55:59Z

Galey Media
This appears to be a weighing scale at the Whitney beet dump.

These gentlemen are not identified. They appear to be inspecting the sugar beets arriving at the Whitney beet dump in about 1927.

2009-06-11T17:34:31Z

Galey Media
These gentlemen are not identified. They appear to be inspecting the sugar beets arriving at the Whitney beet dump in about 1927.

Loading beets at Whitney, circa 1927. Notice the old depot in the upper lefthand corner. Later, a larger building served the community, but it was eventually hauled away after passenger tra ...

2009-06-11T17:38:20Z

Galey Media
Loading beets at Whitney, circa 1927. Notice the old depot in the upper lefthand corner. Later, a larger building served the community, but it was eventually hauled away after passenger tra ...