In 1930, while the Great Depression was worsening and the impacts of it were starting to be felt nationwide, the city of Banning received some good news.
A major construction project was about to unfold in its backyard, and the city would benefit greatly.
The project was the Colorado River Aqueduct of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Starting in the mid-1920s, there had been a series of studies done for bringing water from the Colorado River west to be used in the greater Los Angeles region. In December 1930, the district made the final decision to go with a route that included the San Gorgonio Pass and construction of a major tunnel under Mount San Jacinto.
Survey, grading and construction crews would be needed for the aqueduct project, which meant jobs for many people. Survey work began in January 1931 over much of the proposed route. Anticipation grew throughout most of 1931 due to the fact that one stumbling block remained – the voters of California had to approve $220,000,000 in bonds for construction of the project. The election was Sept. 28, with voters approving the measure.
A victory celebration was held Oct. 3 in Banning. According to the Riverside Daily Press, “Banning today became the capital of the Metropolitan Water district by virtue of being the first community to stage a formal celebration of the victory achieved at the polls last Tuesday … the feature of the morning being a parade led by the Sherman Indian band. A float from the Morongo Indian reservation added color to the procession.”
With construction assured, another bit of good news came to Banning – it would act as the construction headquarters for most of the aqueduct. That meant that engineers, administrators, and a materials testing lab would be coming to Banning. MWD secured a parcel at the southeast corner of San Gorgonio Avenue and the Southern Pacific Railroad and, in late 1932, began building a large construction headquarters building and testing lab that would act as the hub of construction efforts for the next several years.
The most difficult part of construction on the aqueduct would, of course, be the tunnel under mighty Mount San Jacinto. Boring work began in 1933 at a location just below Cabazon, and simultaneously at the opposite side near Gilman Hot Springs. It took almost five years to dig the tunnel under the mountain, but on Nov. 18, 1938, what was termed the “holing through” occurred wherein the two groups of workers united under the mountain.
After nearly another year of construction, during which the tunnel under Mount San Jacinto was lined with concrete, another celebration was held, this time at the west portal near Gilman Hot Springs to officially mark the end of construction of the aqueduct.
It goes without saying that this major project was a boon to Banning during the years of the Depression. Many men were employed on the project and many of them either made their home in Banning for the duration, or at least kept an apartment there during the week.
The influx of people helped local businesses and the economy in general. Banning had gotten a break at the beginning of the Depression.
If you have an idea for a future Back in the Day column about a local historic person, place or event, contact Steve Lech and Kim Jarrell Johnson at backinthedaype@gmail.com.
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August 14, 2020
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Aqueduct project brought much-needed boon to 1930s Banning - Press-Enterprise
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