Helix Water District

Helix History (1950-1959)

1950
The District installs 2,300 new services during the year as East County continues its booming growth. Hydropneumatic tanks are installed to boost water pressure within parts of La Mesa. Per capita water use is 212 gallons per day.

Field crew, circa 1950.

At the same time
The United States sends troops to assist in the Korean situation. Senator Joseph McCarthy begins investigating communism in America. Antihistamines become popular for treating allergies and colds. China invades Tibet. A. B. Guthrie Jr. writes "The Way West."

1951
The District begins to contract out large construction projects. There are now over 17,000 customers in the District. San Diego County's first certified water laboratory is built at the District's Eucalyptus Yard.

Eucalyptus Yard in La Mesa, 1951. Briar Patch Elementary School was later built on this site. The school's buildings are now used as training facilities for Grossmont Hospital.

At the same time
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are sentenced to death following their espionage trial. The first atomic power is generated. Color TV is introduced. J. D. Salinger writes "The Catcher in the Rye." "The African Queen" and "An American in Paris" are the top films. Cinerama is invented.

1952
Over 13 miles of pipelines are replaced this year. Cuyamaca Dam is refaced and a new spillway built to ensure its future usefulness. The District acquires land on Wagner Street in El Cajon.

At the same time
Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected President. The Untied States is involved in the fighting in Korea. John Steinbeck writes "East of Eden." Jackson Pollock is famous in the art world. "High Noon" is filmed. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" is released.

1953
Construction begins on the Wagner Street shops in El Cajon. The operations that took place in the old Eucalyptus Yard, and the Nebo Yard in La Mesa, are moved to El Cajon. Over 1,600 new service connections are made, bringing the total to over 21,000.

Construction of the Wagner Street shops in El Cajon.

At the same time
Queen Elizabeth II is crowned following the death of Queen Mary. An armistice is signed in Korea. Hillary and Tenzing climb Mount Everest. Cinemascope is the rage. "From Here to Eternity" is filmed. Lung cancer is linked to smoking for the first time.

1954
El Cajon Valley Irrigation District and La Mesa islands are annexed, adding 7,100 acres to the district. Engineering underway for more El Cajon pipelines and the new connection for the Second Barrel of the San Diego Aqueduct.

At the same time
The U. S. Supreme Court rules segregation by color is unconstitutional. Senator Joseph McCarthy televises his House Unamerican Activities Committee hearings. William Golding writes "The Lord of the Flies." J. R. R. Tolkien writes "The Lord of the Rings." The submarine "Nautilus" is converted into the first nuclear-powered vessel.

1955
The Board of Directors is comprised of Rube Levy, Harry Griffen, Joseph Levikow, Bob Rundell, and Nat Eggert. District population is 76,125, with 21,750 meters in service. Price of imported water is $12.00 per acre-foot.

At the same time
"Marty" and "The Seven Year Itch" are the big films. Cinemascope and Vista Vision are big. "Rock Around the Clock" is the top song, and "Davy Crockett" causes a rush for coonskin caps. Disneyland opens. People buy TV sets by the millions so they can watch shows like "I Love Lucy." Ford sells the first Thunderbird.

1956
A name change to Helix Irrigation District is approved. Byron Miller becomes General Manager, with C. G. Watters as Chief Engineer. 95% of the year's water comes from the Colorado River, which causes water quality problems because the District does not have a Treatment Plant.

At the same time
Eisenhower is reelected with Nixon as Vice President. The polio vaccine is tested. "The King and I," "Giant," and "Around the World in 80 Days" are the big films. Elvis is singing "Heartbreak Hotel."

1957
Helix Irrigation District moves into its new office building in the Civic Center area of La Mesa. Lake Helix and Eucalyptus Reservoir are taken out of service as the District progresses toward a closed system. Telemetering system is installed to assist in operating the distribution system. The last section of wood stave pipe is removed from the system.

The District's Administrative Office in the La Mesa Civic Center was completed in 1957.

At the same time
The USSR launches Sputnik I and II. The Beat movement becomes popular, and Beatniks are in. "The Cat in the Hat" is published. The film "The Bridge Over the River Kwai" has Americans whistling. American Bandstand premiers, and Motown Records is founded. Frisbees and Hula-Hoops are introduced.

1958
Fifty-two new subdivisions are added to the District. Windsor Hills B and Vista tanks are built.

At the same time
DeGaulle is elected President of France. Alaska becomes the 49th state. The first Pizza Hut opens. "The Blob" and "The Fly" scare moviegoers. A 15-year-old Paul Anka records "Diana." "At the Hop" and "All I Have to do is Dream" are popular songs, along with "The Chipmunk Song" and "The Purple People Eater."

1959
Mabel Bryan, the first woman elected to the Helix Board of Directors, begins her service career. Engineering gets a new Ozalid ammonia process blueprint machine. Lowest local rainfall since 1934. Burns Porter Act passes in California to develop the State Water Project, which will ultimately transport water from the north to central and southern California.

At the same time
Castro captures Cuba. Hawaii becomes the 50th state. The USSR's Lunik spacecraft orbits and photographs the moon. The U.S. sends monkeys into space to determine the effects. "Ben Hur" and "Suddenly Last Summer" are in the theaters. Barbie is the new doll on the market.

Go to 1960-1969