From envelope containing set of negatives: “Feb. 5, 1953. Public Service Dept. Magnolia steam plant. Old Water & Power bldg.” The Public Service Department, formed in 1913, changed its name to Burbank Water and Power in 2001.
An exterior view of the City of Burbank's Public Service Department’s administration building in 1955. Words on the side of the building read, “City of Burbank Public Service Department.” Built at a cost of $500,000, construction of the facility began in January 1948 and was completed in July 1949. An example of the Streamline Moderne style--a type of Art Deco architecture also sometimes described as “Late Moderne” or “WPA Moderne”--the two-story, air-conditioned structure was part of a $6-million construction program planned by Public Service Department General Manager James McCambridge. The building was dedicated August 11, 1949. The Public Service Department, formed in 1913 following the city’s sale of bonds totaling $70,000 to purchase electrical and water facilities, changed its name to Burbank Water and Power in 2001.
Photo of Burbank mayor Leland C. Ayers (1976-1977, 1980-1981) shaking hands at the Water Reclamation Plant expansion dedication in late 1976. According to the Los Angeles Times, the $2.35 million expansion was funded by the federal government under the condition that the city strive to better meet federal clean water regulations. "Dedication 1976"--back of photo.
Exterior photo of the Public Services Department, likely taken in the 1980s. The Public Service Department changed its name to Burbank Water and Power in 2001. From notes on photo: “PSD Admin Bldg.”
Photo, likely from the 1980s, of the interior of the Public Service Department administration building, featuring a mural by artist Hugo Ballin. Construction of the PSD administration building began in January, 1948, and was completed in July, 1949. Built at a cost of $500,000, the two-story, air-conditioned structure was part of a $6-million construction program planned by Public Service Department General Manager James H. McCambridge. The building was dedicated August 11, 1949. The Public Service Department, formed in 1913, changed its name to Burbank Water and Power in 2001.
View of the Burbank Public Service Department administration building, looking north along Magnolia Blvd. Construction of the building began in January, 1948, and was completed in July, 1949. Built at a cost of $500,000, the two-story, air-conditioned structure was part of a $6-million construction program planned by Public Service Department General Manager James H. McCambridge. The building was dedicated August 11, 1949. The Public Service Department, formed in 1913, changed its name to Burbank Water and Power in 2001. From notes on photo: “PSD – 1982.”
Public Service department building. Slide dated August 1986. The Public Service Department, formed in 1913, changed its name to Burbank Water and Power in 2001.
