About this Collection

The M.W.A.K. Columbian (retitled The Columbian in 1938) was published by the Safety Department for Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Company, the contractors hired to construct the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington state. This publication includes notices about safety including safety tips and statistics about injuries on the job site. The publication also served as a news source providing information about local events and advertisements for local stores and movie theaters. M. Pete Shrauger is listed as the editor over the course of the newsletter's run. These issues were scanned from either the Roy Dimond Collection (SPC 012-0704) or the Donald Beaty Papers (SPC 982-0165).

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M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 45

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about medical coverage provided by MWAK to its workers and the completion of block 38.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 46

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the manufacturing of tires used on construction vehicles at the dam and preparations to remove the cross river cofferdam.

Two parallel smudge lines on page 3. Page 9 is marked as another page 7.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 47

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about reducing the number of workers on the dam, the use of sand on the site and the completion of spillway work under the current contract.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 48

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the new contract for the next phase of dam construction and the creation of log booms near blocks 39 and 40.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 49

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the preparation of surfaces to receive concrete and concrete placement on the west side of the site.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 50

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about concrete mixing and the closure of large gates that allow concrete placement in blocks 32-38.

Page 9 is marked as second page 7.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 51

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the completion of work by MWAK and ending the publication of the MWAK Columbian, and the miles of tubing installed in the foundation of the dam.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 1

Consolidated Builders

This is the first issue of The M.W.A.K. Columbian under its new title "The Columbian." The new publisher, Consolidated Builders, reflects the winner of the contract for a new phase in the construction of the dam. This issue begins with a statement rededicating the newsletter on safety and includes articles on the re-routing of Mason City roads, a summary of the current contract, a commencement ceremony in a new Mason City gymnasium, and the construction of the world's longest conveyor.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 2

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about activities on the site during the first half of 1938, street paving in Mason City, and a dance in the new gymnasium in Mason City.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 3

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about the construction of a new trestle, the arrival of penstock pipes, and an increase in cement production. Page 3 is marked as page 5.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 4

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about a scout campaign fund, high heat in the area, and the assembly of the largest crane on site.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 5

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about the amount of cement produced by on site mixers, the production of electrical transmission lines that will deliver power from the site, and tunnel drilling.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 6

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about the use of hammerhead cranes to place concrete, plans to use power from the dam in experimental magnesium production, preparations to install 18-foot diameter penstock pipes.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 7

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about the diversion of the Columbia River by large gates, the relatively good safety record on the dam site, bids on the generator construction, and the use of a water tank to lower railroad cars onto a the lower trestle.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 8

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about upcoming safety meetings, the completion of a high trestle, and the approval of a new section of tunnel to be drilled din the dam. The top of page 3 is badly cut off.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 9

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about the construction of penstocks, the extension of health benefits to family members of dam workers, and the completion of Bethlehem Steel's work on the dam.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 10

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about the construction of power plants and the cease of concrete work on certain sections of the dam during flood season.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 11

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about activities at the Brett gravel pit, the Mason City gymnasium schedule, and pouring of nearly 5 million yards of concrete at the dam.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 12

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about the size of the reservoir to be created by the dam and progress on penstock installation.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 13

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about a Red Cross fund drive, the order of turbines for the power plants, the order of cooling pipes, and the placing of upstream penstocks. The top of pages 4 and 11 are cut off.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 14

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes pieces about Christmas in the nearby towns, concrete mixing plants, and cooling pipes used to cool curing concrete.
Columbian, Vol. 4, No. 15

Consolidated Builders

This issue includes a year in review and tentative winter construction plans. Page 2 has slight cut off on the top.
Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 1

Consolidated Builders

This issue contains pieces on the history of the Grand Coulee and its implications for the dam, an update on a basketball team called the Grand Coulee Red Devils, and concrete cooling shafts.
Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 2

Consolidated Builders

This issue contains pieces about the amount of freight used to construct the Grand Coulee Dam to date, the use of cork in powerhouse construction, progress on the drilling of discharge tunnels, and the Mason City Aeronautical club.
Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 3

Consolidated Builders

This issue contains pieces about other dams to be built on the Columbia River, National Defense Week, and the planned resumption of concrete pouring.