Regular review
Every now and again, I review the photos in the digital collection to see if I can identify at least a couple of the several hundred photos labelled “Unknown”. The latest round brings me here today to see what you think. Below are two of those photos named. One I recognized right away – the Ragged Chute installation on the Montreal River – but the second is a complete mystery.
It is, in fact, the very well-known Ragged Chute hydro installation.
Ragged Chute revisited
The first image is, of course, of the Ragged Chute hydro installation on the Montreal River. The location is well-known for C. H. Taylor’s compressed air installation. If you missed the video from a recent post, now’s your chance to view it.
Since the building interior image, “unknown building” is in the same digital folder as the first, I wonder if that photo is also part of the Ragged Chute installation. Especially considering the large cylinder at the far right of the photo. Could that be part of the compressed air system?
Note the peaked roof of the building on the top of the riverbank, to the left. The roof of the building in the interior photo is also peaked.
Calling all hydro specialists
This is where you come in. I’ve already asked my “go-to” resources who are familiar with the Taylor compressed air project specifically, and the Montreal River hydro installations in general. Neither are familiar with the interior view.
One of my helpers suggested that the peaked roof might be a clue. (Note the roof of the building on the top of the riverbank, to the left, which is also peaked.) He suggested that there might be more information in the Ontario Hydro archives.
Does anyone know who to contact for access to these archvies, if they exist?
For now, this photo shall remain named, “unknown”.