First published in 1974, this historical account relates the American civil engineer to the development of the country and the profession.

This book documents the broad range of ASCE activity since its founding. Beginning as a handful of earnest veteran engineers, ASCE was very much a struggling New York City coalition until 1873. The geographical expansion did not, however, extend to the attitudes of the Society, which remained conservatively introverted through the nineteenth century.

The accelerated urbanization of America at the turn of the century brought government into the sponsorship and financing of major public works. This was accompanied by the entrance of a growing number of young civil engineers into the profession and Society.

This book is a basic historical reference that will aid both the student and practitioner in orienting themselves to the rich heritage of the civil engineering profession.