Pipeline Construction Collection

(13,000 Documents)

From 1969-1977 the world’s largest private construction project was undertaken in Alaska. 800 miles of above- and below- ground pipe was laid from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. The pipeline owners made the decision to locate the marine terminal facility in Valdez, a decision that would shape Valdez’s future. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, the managing firm, persistently recorded the project through photographs. Our collection contains a complete set of the public relations photographs taken to document the project. Unique to the materials is the George Herben photograph collection, a unique collection of over 3,000 photographs covering all aspects of pipeline construction, from the installation of drilling equipment to social life at remote pipeline camps. We also possess maps and schematics of the last 20 miles of pipeline and the terminal facility, hard hats and arctic gear worn by workers, and oil specimens.