A substantial archive of vernacular photography (about 500 prints and negatives) documenting a circa-1981-1983 rural electrification project in the Aguan River Valley in northern Honduras, all shot and compiled by an employee of the Koontz-Wagner Electric Co. of South Bend, Indiana. 

The job was part of the comprehensive Nispero Power Project of the Honduran Empresa Nacional de Energia Electrica (ENEE), financially supported by USAID and The World Bank. From a 1978 report:

“Since about 64 percent of the Honduran population lives in rural areas and many are in remote areas, it is difficult and costly to provide them electricity. ENEE has been carrying out a rural electrification program since 1971, and has built about 270 km of 35 kV rural lines. Most of these lines have been financed by the Bank under the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Power Projects. ENEE is now undertaking with assistance from USAID the electrification of the Aguan Valley, where the Government is presently implementing an extensive rural development program. In addition to agro-industry and sawmills, the Aguan Valley Rural Electrification Project will benefit 25,000 low-income families.” (pp.8)

("Report and Recommendation of the President of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to the Executive Directors of a Proposed Loan to the Empresa Nacional de Energia Electrica with the Guarantee of the Republic of Honduras for the Nispero Power Project: November 1, 1978")

And from a July 8, 1981 article in the South Bend Tribune: 

"Koontz-Wagner to Put Up Lines in Honduras:

Koontz-Wagner Electric Co., Inc. has signed a major contract with the Republic of Honduras to construct 470-kilometers of 34,500-volt power lines in North Central Honduras, according to Robert I. Pfeil, senior vice president and chairman of the board of the South Bend firm. 

The project, financed by the U.S. Agency for International Development, will provide first-time electric power to 117 towns and villages in the rural Aguan Valley, Pfeil said. Koontz-Wagner is to provide engineering and field supervisors for the project which will employ about 125 Honduran workers." (pp.29)

The photographs focus chiefly on the work of erecting power and installing wire among the people, scenery, and architecture of remote and rural villages, along with a small percentage capturing leisure activity and local travel in more populous places. Very little of this is notated, though place names gleaned through envelope labels and visible signage include Olanchito, La Ceiba, Trujillo, and Tegucigalpa. A broad and uncommon primary photographic glimpse at rural electrification in remote northern Honduras in the early-1980’s. More images viewable here.

[Vernacular Photography] : [Latin-Americana] : [Honduras]. [Snapshot Archive of Rural Electrification Work in Northern Honduras]. [Honduras]: [ca. 1981-1983]. About 450 photographs, nearly all color drugstore print snapshots on Kodak branded paper, approximately 5" x 3 1/2." Most in processor's envelopes with their original 35mm color negatives. Condition about near fine throughout.