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Preferred Citation

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

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.

Scope and Contents

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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Central America—Description and travel
• Civil engineers—United States—Biography
• Correspondence
• Engineering drawings
• Goethals, George W. (George Washington), 1858-1928
• Notes
• Panama Canal (Panama)
• Pershing, John J. (John Joseph), 1860-1948
• Photographs
• Postcards
• Speeches, Addresses, etc.
• Stimson, Henry L. (Henry Lewis), 1867-1950
• Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1884