Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
DRILLERS, MUCKERS AND BLASTERS
These were the years of huge public works projects in the desert. The All-American Canal brought water from the Colorado River to the Imperial Valley. The Colorado River Aqueduct, also known as the Metropolitan Water District Aqueduct, was a 242 mile pipeline bringing water from the Colorado River to much of Southern California. Thousands of aqueduct workers--known as drillers, muckers and blasters--lived in temporary camps. They invited Susie and Lula to photograph the inner workings of the epic projects.
Like all good documentary photographers, both women were eager to experience foreign worlds. Because of Susie's affection for her father, she gravitated toward working men. In turn, she elicited adoration from men throughout her life.
In addition to the aqueduct crews, the two photographed cowboys from the desert ranches, burro-packers and ever-optimistic gold seekers, as well as the classic landscapes of Mt. San Jacinto, the newborn Salton Sea, the Mecca mudhills and other sites beloved by photographers and artists today.