Every time David Dahle posts pictures of this fantastic old transmission line running north to Minnesota from his home town of Sioux Falls, S.D., [id=302729684], I feel compelled to post the one and only shot I have of the only remaining power line in western Oregon using this same "Byllesby" line specification! Dave and I have sort of coined the phrase 'Byllesby Spec." for a good reason. This line construction style is simple really, and was used by virtually all of the power companies controlled by the large holding company founded by Henry M. Byllesby, a pioneer utilities magnate from 1902 until the company folded circa, 1940.

This photo and the one I linked to Dave Dahle both show this construction style and both were built by two Byllesby companies. In my photo it was Mountain States Power Co. In Dave's photo it was Northern States Power Co. Notice the name similarity? Both companies were founded by Mr. Byllesby! (pronounced, byill-ess-bee) BTW! The construction style, 2 crossarms and suspension bells, was not an exclusive to Byllesby alone and was a logical pattern used by many other utilities. But, there are still several areas in states where this style exists on previous Byllesby lines. In addition to SD and OR., try MN., WI, OK, WY, Louisville KY and San Diego CA., for examples.

The 'crowning glory' to this whole thing is that David Dahle, through his research, has discovered that the Byllesby line in his area was built by Northern States Power in 1931, and still standing! Positive proof of Byllesby line specification, since 1931 was well within the era of Byllesby control. Just amazing!