This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
The Chatsworth Reservoir was the main water storage facility for the western San Fernando Valley from 1920 to 1950, primarily serving agricultural irrigation needs. The reservoir was operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. After the San Fernando earthquake in 1971 the reservoir was deemed unsafe. It was drained and taken out of service. Photograph caption dated May 31, 1956 reads, "Explosion to save lives - Earth and rock fountain high in air after practice explosion by Los Angeles City Fire Department Demolition Squad No. 1 at Chatsworth Reservoir. Although located in Hollywood, squad is manned almost exclusively by Valley personnel. Its primary job is to blow up buildings to create fire break in case of serious earthquake, which it can do only under order of department's chief engineer. Established in 1951, squad's everyday job is destroying natural and manmade hazards such as caves, abandoned buildings."; See images #00145290 through #00145297 for all photos in this series.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Los Angeles (Calif.).--Department of Water and Power Los Angeles (Calif.).--Fire Department Demolition--California--Chatsworth (Los Angeles) Reservoirs--California--Chatsworth (Los Angeles) Fire departments--California--Los Angeles Fire engines--California--Los Angeles Fire fighters--California--Los Angeles Explosions--California--Los Angeles Explosives--California--Los Angeles Dynamite--California--Los Angeles Chatsworth (Los Angeles, Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs Portrait photographs
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