Section 5. To pair with enlarged photo of men in masks.
Collection
Warner Graves Collection
Publication Details
Publication Type
Text Panel
Dimensions
Height
24 in
Width
16 in
Depth
1/2 in
Dimension Notes
Mounted on gatorfoam. Attaches to two foam blocks to situate it away from the wall and over the accompanying photograph.
Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Cultural/Historical Context
Label
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.
