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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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 4
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about preparations for installing transformers into the powerhouses, the reservoir beginning to form as a result of the dam, expectations of boating activity upriver of the dam, and the construction of pre-fabricated houses in Mason City.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 5
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the Mason City hospital and 1 millionth yard of concrete to be placed on the dam. Page 7 marked as another page 5.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 6
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about sand and gravel used for dam construction, a Well Baby clinic, and the relocation of the highway above the west end of the dam.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 7
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the decision to build the dam instead of pursuing the Gravity Plan and an announcement of a concert by Del Yandon and his orchestra. Only ten pages in this issue, and page ten is marked as nine.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 8
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the machine shop, injuries from falls, and progress on the piping that will run water through the west powerhouse.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 9
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about bids for a fish hatchery in Leavenworth, an upcoming visit by dozens of masonic lodges, and the opening of the first outlet tubes running through the dam.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 10
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about screens, netting, and trashracks that prevent debris from entering the dam, an upcoming visit by the Norwegian Crown Prince and Princess, pieces of ancient wood, and the placement of pipes and tubing.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 11
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about commencement ceremonies at Mason City High School and Grand Coulee High School and warning to use caution when dumping waste over the upriver side of the dam.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 12
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the completion of excavation with the exception of operations at the Brett gravel pit and concrete protection for outlets in the wall of the spillway.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 13
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about cleanup crews, grouting problems at the pumping plant site, and the construction of large forms for the west side powerhouse draft tubes. Fourth of July issue, ad on page 4.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 14
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the annual Boy and Girl Scout drive, family medical coverage, and progress on concrete work. Text at top of page 11 is cut off.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 15
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the installation of penstock liner by Western Pipe and Steel, the number of tourists who viewed the dam in the first half of 1939 (100,000), a scale model of the dam, and record heat at Grand Coulee.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 16
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the role of trains or locomotives in constructing the dam, the first part of the dam to rise above the high trestle, and progress on the east side highway.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 17
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about meters and instrumentation built into the dam and pumping water out of the construction site for the east powerhouse. Page 8 is marked as another page 7.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 18
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about inspection of concrete blocks poured for the dam and the completion of work on the west end until spring.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 19
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about a Shriner's program at the theater, the dangers of falling on the work site, a continuation from the previous issue about the inspection of concrete blocks, and the flow of water through the dam. Pages 10 and 11 are both marked as page 9.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 20
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the gates that will control of water through the dam and a record month for concrete placement.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 21
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the start of construction on the wing dam, dynamite caps, and the expansion of the Brett gravel pit.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 22
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about winter work on the dam and progress on cement pouring.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 23
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about foundation grouting and a series of world and national events. Page 2 is unmarked and cut off at the top.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 24
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about progress on the powerhouses, a house fire leaving a family homeless, plans for a community Christmas event. Page 8 marked as another page 7.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 25
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the role of the field dispatcher in building the dam and a basketball game between the Coulee Dam Dynamos and Central Washington College.
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Columbian, Vol. 5, No. 26
Consolidated Builders
This issue contains pieces about the broader scope of the Columbia Basin Project, the treatment of water at the Mason City pumping plant, and the dismantling of hammerhead cranes.
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Columbian, Vol. 6, No. 1
Consolidated Builders
This issue includes a year in review for 1939 and a list of departments that went through December without losing any time due to accidents.
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Columbian, Vol. 6, No. 2
Consolidated Builders
This issue includes articles about operating engineers, the impact of the Bureau of Reclamation projects, and an upcoming basketball game between Gonzaga University's freshman team and the Coulee Dam Dynamos.