Since it is December, I am busy filing and/or cataloging items in anticipation for a fresh start with a new year approaching. I came across the above photograph on an old trip to Tunnel Works No. 2 of the Eagle Lake Land & Irrigation Company. While the short-lived company only existed from 1891-1894, it did accomplish a lot. While they knew it would take a very long time to complete the tunnel that Merrill had begun a decade earlier, they had a vision to provide necessary funds. They installed a pumping plant to pump water out of the lake, and sent water to the east side of the Honey Lake Valley. Thus, they were able to sell water for the 1893 irrigation season, while work continued on the tunnel. However, by the fall of 1893 with nation’s financial panic in full force, they were unable to sustain operations and went bankrupt.