Sydney B. Williamson papers, 1909/1939

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
411 Letcher Avenue
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

Sydney B. Williamson papers, 1909-1939. MS 0206. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
7 boxes
Creator:
Williamson, Sydney B. (Sydney Bacon), 1865-1939
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Sydney B. Williamson papers, 1909-1939. MS 0206. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The Sydney B. Williamson papers consist of project files, photographs, and drawings that document Williamson's work in Panama, with particular emphasis on the construction of the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. The bulk of these papers document Williamson's engineering assignments in Panama, South America, and the United States, and his service on the Interoceanic Canal Board. The sizable group of drawings and specifications for the Panama Canal construction is of particular importance.

Biographical / historical:

Sydney Bacon Williamson was born on April 15, 1865 in Lexington, Virginia to VMI Professor Thomas H. Williamson. He graduated from VMI in 1884 and shortly thereafter began a distinguished career in civil engineering. Most notably, he served as Division Engineer of the Pacific Division of Panama Canal from 1907 to 1914. Williamson was responsible for wet and dry excavation of the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. He also helped design and oversaw construction of the Pacific Terminal docks, and the water supply, sewers, roads, and streets for the towns of the division. During World War I he served as a Colonel with the United Army Engineers in France. Williamson died in 1939 in Lexington.

Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks