Water Works

July 28, 1925: "The contract for drilling of a deep well at this place has been let and work will begin within the next 10 days. The purpose of this well is two-fold--to furnish water for the city and the O.C. & E. railway. Some drilling company now operating at present in Lake county has been awarded the contract." (The Evening Herald)

August 3, 1927: "In line with promised future growth through railroad development, the town of Sprague River, northeast terminus of the O.C. & E., is to be provided with an up-to-date water system, it was learned here Tuesday.

The water system is to be constructed by the Sprague River Townsite company of which Robert E. Strahorn is president, and will cost approximately $15,000. Surveys for water mains have have been completed and work on the new system is expected to start this week.

Construction will entail nearly a mile of six and four inch mains throughout the present townsite, it was revealed, and will carry an abundance of water for domestic uses and for fire prevention.

The source of supply lies in a deep well dug by the Townsite company two years ago at the south end of the town of Sprague River. At present the town depends on private wells for its water supply, so the improvement is considered to be one of vast importance to Sprague River." (The Klamath News)

July 27, 1928: "Water mains and fire hydrants have been installed in the main business and residential district." (The Evening Herald)

June 21, 1931: "The pump house of the Sprague River water system, which supplies water to the entire community, was destroyed by fire late Friday evening. The loss was estimated at $1,500.

The pump had been inspected about 6 0'clock Friday evening, and was running satisfactorily. The blaze started about 11 o'clock from an unknown cause. No insurance was carried.

The water system is owned by the Western Cities company. Leslie Peyton, local manager for the company, was summoned to Sprague River at the time of the fire, and returned to Klamath Falls early Saturday morning.

He stated that the large water tank was not damaged, but all other equipment was destroyed." (The Klamath News)

August 31, 1937: "The town water system is again functioning, following the fire which last Saturday destroyed the pump house, pump and motor." (The Evening Herald)

August 24, 1940: "Sale of the privately owned water system of Sprague River to the town was approved today by Ormond R. Bean, public utilities commissioner." (Bend Bulletin)

December 21, 1940: "A new city water main is being installed to accommodate residents on Third street. At present workers are busy putting in city water in the Ed Dudley place and at Gienger's warehouse.

The line will be extended to other homes in the very near future, according to Ben Wolford, superintendent of the Sprague River water system." (The Klamath News)

June 23,1942: "Sprague River residents found themselves in something of a predicament last Friday, when the city water was unexpectedly turned off at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and was not turned back into the pipes until 7:30 the following morning. Men returning from work at the mill got all set for that evening shower and found no water. Their bad humor over the situation got no sympathy in the kitchen, where housewives were in a stew over no water for cooking or cleaning purposes.

The whole trouble arose when the city water owners ran into a streak of trouble in trying to make a new connection, it was stated. Despite hurried efforts to get things fixed up, the town was without water for 17 hours. The housewives were thrown into further furor when there was no water for the morning coffee and breakfast. One restaurant was virtually forced to close, as the dirty dishes piled up and the demands for water could not be met. Those residents living in the suburbs of town and having wells were very popular and much envied by the 'moderns' of the town proper on this occasion." (Herald and News)

October 30, 1942: "NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. Notice is hereby given that the partnership of B. E. Wolford and Ivy C. Clark, operating under the Firm Name of Sprague River Water Company, with its principal place of business at Sprague River, Oregon, has been dissolved and said partnership terminated.

All obligations due said company which were contracted prior to September 1, 1942, have been assigned to Ivy C. Clark, and payable to him.

Dated at Sprague River, Oregon, October 27, 1942. B. E. Wolford, Sprague River, Ore." (Herald and News)

February 16, 1943: "11657 U-F-1076 Sprague River Water Company--Application to dissolve and terminate co-partnership. (Granted) February 16, 1943." (Annual Report, Oregon Public Utility Commissioner, 1943)

April 12, 1949: "Sprague River's 20-year-old wooden water tank gave way Monday and the town was without water today. One hundred and twenty-five school kids got a chance to go fishing Tuesday as schools were unable to operate without water facilities.

Ivy Clark, owner of the water company, said he did not know what caused the tank to collapse unless it was plain old age.

Workmen were detailed to patch the old tank in hopes that temporary repairs would give the town water until a new tank could be installed.

In the meantime Sprague River folks were getting water where they could.

Clark said the old tank was built by Western Cities company, subsidiary of the OC&E railroad, some 20 years ago. Robert E. Strahorn organized the company, along with extensive railroad activities, and Wolford and Wann operated the water system for the community until about ten years ago.

The tank had a capacity of 50,000 gallons." (Herald and News)

April 25, 1949: "Ivey Clark is busy clearing the debris away which was caused by the fall of the Sprague River water tank a week ago. The tank collapsed, strewing debris over a city block. The collapse of the tank caused an acute water shortage in the downtown district and some homes in the residential section.

The rain of the last few days has been a great help to early crops and gardens." (Herald and News)

October 13, 1963: "SELL Sprague River water system, contact Ivey Clark, Bonanza." (Herald and News)