![]() | Copy of resignation letter from John F. Stevens to President Theodore Roosevelt Auteur(s) : Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943 ( Author, Primary ) Résumé : (Biographical) From Wikipedia: John Frank Stevens (25 April 1853 – 2 June 1943) was an American engineer who built the Great Northern Railway in the United States and was chief engineer on the Panama Canal between 1905 and 1907. Biography: Stevens was born in rural Maine, near West Gardiner to John Stevens, a tanner and farmer, and Harriet Leslie French. He attended Maine State Normal School (now the University of Maine at Farmington) for two years. At the conclusion of his schooling in 1873, bleak economic conditions held little promise of a job, and he chose to go west. Entry into the field of civil engineering evolved from his experience in the Minneapolis city engineer's office. For two years he carried out a variety of engineering tasks, including surveying and building railroads, and at the same time gained experience and an understanding of the subject. He became a practical engineer, self-taught and driven by a self-described "bull-dog tenacity of purpose." In 1878 Stevens married Harriet T. O'Brien. They had five children, two of whom died in infancy.
By the age of 33, in 1886, Stevens was principal assistant engineer for the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway, and in charge of building the line from Duluth, Minnesota to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Although a large part of his work involved surveying, he assisted in all phases of railroading: reconnaissance, locating, organizing, and construction.
In 1889, Stevens was hired by James J. Hill as a locating engineer for the Great Northern Railway.
Stevens earned wide acclaim in 1889 when he explored Marias Pass, Montana, and determined its practicability for a railroad. Stevens was an efficient administrator with remarkable technical skills and imagination. He discovered Stevens Pass through the Cascade Mountains, set railroad construction standards in the Mesabi Range of northern Minnesota, and supervised construction of the Oregon Trunk Line. Hill promoted him to chief engineer in 1895, and later to general manager. During his time at the Great Northern, Stevens built over a thousand miles of railroad, including the original Cascade Tunnel. Stevens Pass in the Cascade Range was named for him. (Most other Pacific Northwest landmarks with the word "Stevens" are named after Isaac Stevens, who is of no relation.)
Panama Canal:
Stevens left the Great Northern in 1903 for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, where he was promoted to vice-president. Then, in 1905, at Hill's recommendation, he was hired by Theodore Roosevelt as chief engineer on the Panama Canal.
Stevens' primary achievement in Panama was to build the infrastructure needed for the completion of the canal. "The digging," he said, "is the least thing of all." He proceeded immediately to build warehouses, machine shops, and piers. Communities for the personnel were planned and built to include housing, schools, hospitals, churches, and hotels. He authorized extensive sanitation and mosquito-control programs that eliminated yellow fever and other diseases from the Isthmus. Reflecting his background, he saw the early stage of the canal project itself as primarily a problem in railroad engineering, which included rebuilding the Panama Railway and devising a rail-based system for disposing of the soil from the excavations. Stevens argued the case against a sea level canal like the French had tried to build. He successfully convinced Theodore Roosevelt of the necessity of a high-level canal built with dams and locks.
Resignation:
Stevens resigned suddenly from the Canal project in 1907 to Roosevelt's great annoyance, as the focus of the work turned to construction of the canal itself. As a railroad engineer, Stevens had little expertise in building locks and dams, and probably realized he was no longer the best person for the remainder of the job. Stevens would also have been aware that the original great Cascade Tunnel, for which he was responsible, was in hindsight built in error too close to the ruling grade and was perhaps turning from a credit to a debit. The true reasons for his resignation have never been known.
Subsequent career:
Following the collapse of Imperial Russia in 1917, leaders of the provisional government appealed to President Wilson for help with their transportation systems. Stevens was selected to chair a board of prominent U.S. railroad experts sent to Russia to rationalize and manage a system that was in disarray; among his work was on the Trans-Siberian Railway. After the overthrow of the provisional government, the board's work ceased. Stevens remained in Allied-occupied Manchuria and in 1919 headed the Inter-Allied Technical Board charged with the administration and operation of the Chinese Eastern and Siberian railways. He remained in an advisory capacity until occupying Allied troops were withdrawn; he finally left in 1923. After his return to the United States Stevens continued to work as a consulting engineer, ending his career in Baltimore in the early 1930s. He was awarded the Franklin Institute's Franklin Medal in 1930. He then retired to Southern Pines, North Carolina, where he died at the age of 90 in 1943. Digital version only, no paper copy in collection archives. Droits : This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions may require permission of the copyright holder. The Smathers Libraries would like to learn more about this item and invite individuals or organizations to contact Digital Services (UFDC@uflib.ufl.edu) with any additional information they can provide. http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00029596/00001 | Partager |
![]() | Memoria de la Junta Directiva de la compaña del Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Auteur(s) : Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Éditeur(s) : Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. ( Habana ) Résumé : (Issuing Body) Annual report for previous year of Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande, presented at the annual general meeting. Description based on: 1872; title from cover. Latest issue consulted: 1876. "Dando cuenta del estado de la Empresa hasta el 31 de Diciembre de previous year. Se leyó en la sesion de la Junta General celebrada en ... " Cuba Cuba Sagua La Grande Cuba Sagua La Grande 237626391 2008229317 | Partager |
![]() | Boats fill the Hillsbourough River in front of the Plant Park and the Tampa Bay Hotel. Auteur(s) : Burgert Brothers, 1917- ( Photographer ) Résumé : When Henry B. Plant brought the railroad to Tampa in 1884, he opened the door for many businesses to locate and flourish here. The railroad was at the center of the city's economy. From downtown it went to Port Tampa where one could board a Plant steamship to Jamaica, Cuba, New Orleans, Bermuda or other destinations. A spur of the rail line brought the train up to the west front of the hotel so guests could depart the train and walk directly into the lobby.
The Tampa Bay Hotel cost approximately 2.5 million dollars to build and $500,000 to furnish. Consisting of 511 rooms, some of which were suites of 3-7 rooms, it provided a degree of luxury never before seen in Tampa. Most of the rooms had their own baths and all had electricity and telephones. In addition, guests were surrounded by a varied collection of furniture, porcelains, Venetian-style mirrors, and sculptures gathered by Mr. and Mrs. Plant in their travels in Europe.
The Tampa Bay Hotel opened in 1891 amid wide fanfare and celebration. Henry Plant's dream was now a reality. The newspapers of the day described it as "brightly illuminated, filled with sumptuous decorations, thrilling music and graced with turrets, domes and minarets towering heavenward and
glistening in the sun." It was a Victorian palace.
The hotel was a lively place with balls, tea parties, and organized hunts during the winter social season. It was open seasonally from December to April in the 1890's. Once a guest arrived at the hotel, he needed to be entertained. Guests went wild game hunting as well as fresh and salt-water fishing. Water sports were also included like sailing, rowing, and canoeing. For the less adventuresome, there were bicycles, carriages, and rickshaws to ride you around the property. The hotel also offered golf, tennis, shuffleboard, billiards, and even a racetrack. (Funding) Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Ephemeral Cities Project. Tampa |z 1271000 |2 ceeus Hillsborough County |z 12057 |2 ceeus United States of America -- Florida -- Hillsborough County -- Tampa Droits : All rights reserved. 2005. D29-009 | Partager Voir aussi Hotel ( Building, Structures ) ( nmc ) Hotels ( lctgm ) Tampa Bay Hotel (West Lafayette and Hyde Park Avenue) ( lctgm ) Plant Park (West Lafayette Street opp Hyde Park Avenue) ( lctgm ) Rivers ( lctgm ) Hillsborough River ( lctgm ) Parks ( lctgm ) Piers and wharves ( lctgm ) Minarets ( lctgm ) Tampa Bay Hotel (Tampa, Fla.) -- Pictorial works -- 20th century ( lcsh ) |
![]() | A View of the early grounds of the Tampa Bay Hotel and the railroad track running directly to the main entrance. Auteur(s) : Burgert Brothers, 1917- ( Photographer ) Résumé : When Henry B. Plant brought the railroad to Tampa in 1884, he opened the door for many businesses to locate and flourish here. The railroad was at the center of the city's economy. From downtown it went to Port Tampa where one could board a Plant steamship to Jamaica, Cuba, New Orleans, Bermuda or other destinations. A spur of the rail line brought the train up to the west front of the hotel so guests could depart the train and walk directly into the lobby.
The Tampa Bay Hotel cost approximately 2.5 million dollars to build and $500,000 to furnish. Consisting of 511 rooms, some of which were suites of 3-7 rooms, it provided a degree of luxury never before seen in Tampa. Most of the rooms had their own baths and all had electricity and telephones. In addition, guests were surrounded by a varied collection of furniture, porcelains, Venetian-style mirrors, and sculptures gathered by Mr. and Mrs. Plant in their travels in Europe.
The Tampa Bay Hotel opened in 1891 amid wide fanfare and celebration. Henry Plant's dream was now a reality. The newspapers of the day described it as "brightly illuminated, filled with sumptuous decorations, thrilling music and graced with turrets, domes and minarets towering heavenward and glistening in the sun." It was a Victorian palace.
The hotel was a lively place with balls, tea parties, and organized hunts during the winter social season. It was open seasonally from December to April in the 1890's. Once a guest arrived at the hotel, he needed to be entertained. Guests went wild game hunting as well as fresh and salt-water fishing. Water sports were also included like sailing, rowing, and canoeing. For the less adventuresome, there were bicycles, carriages, and rickshaws to ride you around the property. The hotel also offered golf, tennis, shuffleboard, billiards, and even a racetrack. (Funding) Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Ephemeral Cities Project. Tampa |z 1271000 |2 ceeus Hillsborough County |z 12057 |2 ceeus United States of America -- Florida -- Hillsborough County -- Tampa Droits : All rights reserved. 2005. | Partager |
![]() | Memoria de la Junta Directiva de la compaña del Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Auteur(s) : Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Éditeur(s) : Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. ( Habana ) Résumé : (Issuing Body) Annual report for previous year of Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande, presented at the annual general meeting. Description based on: 1872; title from cover. Latest issue consulted: 1876. "Dando cuenta del estado de la Empresa hasta el 31 de Diciembre de previous year. Se leyó en la sesion de la Junta General celebrada en ... " Cuba Cuba Sagua La Grande Cuba Sagua La Grande 237626391 2008229317 | Partager |
![]() | The Entrance Gates, Plant Park, the the Tampa Bay Hotel with it's unique minarets. Auteur(s) : Burgert Brothers, 1917- ( Photographer ) Résumé : When Henry B. Plant brought the railroad to Tampa in 1884, he opened the door for many businesses to locate and flourish here. The railroad was at the center of the city's economy. From downtown it went to Port Tampa where one could board a Plant steamship to Jamaica, Cuba, New Orleans, Bermuda or other destinations. A spur of the rail line brought the train up to the west front of the hotel so guests could depart the train and walk directly into the lobby.
The Tampa Bay Hotel cost approximately 2.5 million dollars to build and $500,000 to furnish. Consisting of 511 rooms, some of which were suites of 3-7 rooms, it provided a degree of luxury never before seen in Tampa. Most of the rooms had their own baths and all had electricity and telephones. In addition, guests were surrounded by a varied collection of furniture, porcelains, Venetian-style mirrors, and sculptures gathered by Mr. and Mrs. Plant in their travels in Europe.
The Tampa Bay Hotel opened in 1891 amid wide fanfare and celebration. Henry Plant's dream was now a reality. The newspapers of the day described it as "brightly illuminated, filled with sumptuous decorations, thrilling music and graced with turrets, domes and minarets towering heavenward and
glistening in the sun." It was a Victorian palace.
The hotel was a lively place with balls, tea parties, and organized hunts during the winter social season. It was open seasonally from December to April in the 1890's. Once a guest arrived at the hotel, he needed to be entertained. Guests went wild game hunting as well as fresh and salt-water fishing. Water sports were also included like sailing, rowing, and canoeing. For the less adventuresome, there were bicycles, carriages, and rickshaws to ride you around the property. The hotel also offered golf, tennis, shuffleboard, billiards, and even a racetrack. (Funding) Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Ephemeral Cities Project. Tampa |z 1271000 |2 ceeus Hillsborough County |z 12057 |2 ceeus United States of America -- Florida -- Hillsborough County -- Tampa Lafayette Street Droits : All rights reserved. 2005. D20-008 | Partager |
![]() | Smitten Puerto Rico : havoc wrought by cyclone and flood in our new possession. Auteur(s) : unknown Éditeur(s) : Harper & brothers Harper & brothers ( New York ) Résumé : Page 836 from Harper's Weekly, circa 1899, vol. XLIII.no. 2227. Five illustrations on 1 p.: A wretched street in Ponce. -- Train swept from the track between Ponce and Yauco. -- A typical house in Ponce - August 8, 1899. -- Overturned railroad cars. -- A street full of homes laid waste. Puerto Rico Droits : All rights reserved by the source institution. 2008-363-2 | Partager |
![]() | Vessels to and from Cuba (1856-1859) North America -- Cuba -- Florida North America -- United States of America -- Florida David Levy Yulee lifespan Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida | Partager |
![]() | Tampa, Fla., Ybor City, 7th Avenue looking East. Auteurs secondaires : Tony Pizzo Collection Résumé : (Funding) Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Ephemeral Cities Project. Tampa |z 1271000 |2 ceeus Hillsborough County |z 12057 |2 ceeus United States of America -- Florida -- Hillsborough County -- Tampa Centro Espanol de Tampa (Ybor City) 7th Avenue Droits : All rights reserved. 2005. P21-0154 | Partager |
![]() | Memoria de la Junta Directiva de la compaña del Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Auteur(s) : Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Éditeur(s) : Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. ( Habana ) Résumé : (Issuing Body) Annual report for previous year of Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande, presented at the annual general meeting. Description based on: 1872; title from cover. Latest issue consulted: 1876. "Dando cuenta del estado de la Empresa hasta el 31 de Diciembre de previous year. Se leyó en la sesion de la Junta General celebrada en ... " Cuba Cuba Sagua La Grande Cuba Sagua La Grande 237626391 2008229317 | Partager |
![]() | A Large sailboat sits on the Hillsborough River near the pier for the Tampa Bay Hotel. Auteur(s) : Burgert Brothers, 1917- ( Photographer ) Résumé : When Henry B. Plant brought the railroad to Tampa in 1884, he opened the door for many businesses to locate and flourish here. The railroad was at the center of the city's economy. From downtown it went to Port Tampa where one could board a Plant steamship to Jamaica, Cuba, New Orleans, Bermuda or other destinations. A spur of the rail line brought the train up to the west front of the hotel so guests could depart the train and walk directly into the lobby.
The Tampa Bay Hotel cost approximately 2.5 million dollars to build and $500,000 to furnish. Consisting of 511 rooms, some of which were suites of 3-7 rooms, it provided a degree of luxury never before seen in Tampa. Most of the rooms had their own baths and all had electricity and telephones. In addition, guests were surrounded by a varied collection of furniture, porcelains, Venetian-style mirrors, and sculptures gathered by Mr. and Mrs. Plant in their travels in Europe.
The Tampa Bay Hotel opened in 1891 amid wide fanfare and celebration. Henry Plant's dream was now a reality. The newspapers of the day described it as "brightly illuminated, filled with sumptuous decorations, thrilling music and graced with turrets, domes and minarets towering heavenward and glistening in the sun." It was a Victorian palace.
The hotel was a lively place with balls, tea parties, and organized hunts during the winter social season. It was open seasonally from December to April in the 1890's. Once a guest arrived at the hotel, he needed to be entertained. Guests went wild game hunting as well as fresh and salt-water fishing. Water sports were also included like sailing, rowing, and canoeing. For the less adventuresome, there were bicycles, carriages, and rickshaws to ride you around the property. The hotel also offered golf, tennis, shuffleboard, billiards, and even a racetrack. (Funding) Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Ephemeral Cities Project. Tampa |z 1271000 |2 ceeus Hillsborough County |z 12057 |2 ceeus United States of America -- Florida -- Hillsborough County -- Tampa Droits : All rights reserved. 2005. | Partager Voir aussi Hotel ( Building, Structures ) ( nmc ) Tampa Bay Hotel (West Lafayette and Hyde Park Avenue) ( nmc ) Hotels ( lctgm ) Plant Park (West Lafayette Street opp Hyde Park Avenue) ( lctgm ) Parks ( lctgm ) Plant Park (Tampa, Fla.) â Photographs ( lcsh ) Rivers ( lctgm ) Hillsborough River ( lctgm ) Sailboats ( lctgm ) Minarets ( lctgm ) |
![]() | Los ferrocarriles de Colombia en 1925-26 Auteur(s) : Escobar, Paulo Emilio Éditeur(s) : Imp. del M. de G. Imp. del M. de G. ( Bogotá ) Résumé : General Paulo Emilio Escobar, miembro de varias sociedades cientificas Colombia Colombia AFN2187 20277427 001134724 | Partager |
![]() | Draft of an act to encourage telegraphic communication between the United States and Cuba, 5 May 1866 Florida David Levy Yulee lifespan Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida | Partager |
![]() | Memoria de la Junta Directiva de la compaña del Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Auteur(s) : Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Éditeur(s) : Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. ( Habana ) Résumé : (Issuing Body) Annual report for previous year of Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande, presented at the annual general meeting. Description based on: 1872; title from cover. Latest issue consulted: 1876. "Dando cuenta del estado de la Empresa hasta el 31 de Diciembre de previous year. Se leyó en la sesion de la Junta General celebrada en ... " Cuba Cuba Sagua La Grande Cuba Sagua La Grande 237626391 2008229317 | Partager |
![]() | The Ybor City Trolley Car Barn with the Lovera Factory on the right. Auteur(s) : Tampa Morning Tribune, 1904-1958 ( Printer ) Auteurs secondaires : Tony Pizzo Collection Résumé : Verso
"The Ybor City Car Barn. The barn occupied Tenth Avenue between 18th Street and 19th Street. The Lovera Factory appears at the right." (Funding) Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Ephemeral Cities Project. Tampa |z 1271000 |2 ceeus Hillsborough County |z 12057 |2 ceeus United States of America -- Florida -- Hillsborough County -- Tampa Florida Tampa "Ybor City (Tampa, Fla.)" Droits : All rights reserved. 2005. P21-0144 | Partager |
![]() | Memoria de la Junta Directiva de la compaña del Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Auteur(s) : Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande Éditeur(s) : Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. Litografia Mercantil e Imprenta. Litografía Mercantil é Imprenta. ( Habana ) Résumé : (Issuing Body) Annual report for previous year of Ferro-Carril de Sagua la Grande, presented at the annual general meeting. Description based on: 1872; title from cover. Latest issue consulted: 1876. "Dando cuenta del estado de la Empresa hasta el 31 de Diciembre de previous year. Se leyó en la sesion de la Junta General celebrada en ... " Cuba Cuba Sagua La Grande Cuba Sagua La Grande 237626391 2008229317 | Partager |
![]() | Steamship Regina anchored off the coast of Antigua ; The Bryant Slides Collection ; The Bryant Slides Collection, Antigua Auteur(s) : Unknown ( Photographer ) Résumé : The Steamship (S.S.) Regina, originally built in 1939, was christened S.S. Panama for Panama Line, formerly Panama Railroad Steamship Line. In 1941, the United States Army Transport Service converted her to a troop carrier and renamed her James Parker. By 1957, she was sold to American President Lines, formerly Dollar Steamship Lines. She was renamed President Hoover to replace another of American’s steamships with the same name. In 1964, she was acquired by Chandris Cruises and renamed Regina. She was scrapped in 1985 as S.S. Regina Prima. This image shows S.S. Regina anchored off the coast of Antigua. Her blue funnel has the Greek Chi symbol which has been used to honor of the founder’s Greek heritage. The slides were taken on collecting trips sponsored by the William L. Bryant Foundation, where books, music and art indigenous to the regions were gathered. The are organized by geographical location. Antigua and Barbuda -- Caribbean region -- Antigua Droits : All rights to images are held by the respective holding institution. This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. For permission to reproduce images and/or for copyright information contact Special Collections & University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, FL 32816 phone (407) 823-2576, email: speccoll@ucf.edu CFM1972_01a Sheet 1:1 http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00025491/00001 | Partager |
![]() | Los servicios de transportes terrestres y la función del estado Auteur(s) : Abad, L. V. de ( Luis V ) Éditeur(s) : Talleres Tipográficos de Carasa y Ca., S. en C. Talleres Tipográficos de Carasa y Ca., S. en C. ( Habana ) Résumé : (Statement of Responsibility) por L. V. de Abad ... con una introducción por dr. Rogelio Pina y Estrada ... Cuba Cuba Cuba 002856328 51237285 ANY7425 42033978 //r | Partager |
![]() | The Plaza, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Auteur(s) : unknown Éditeur(s) : Detroit Photographic Company Detroit Photographic Company ( [Detroit, Mich.] ) Résumé : "On the north side [of the plaza] is the Ayuntamiento, a reproduction of the Municipal Building or Casa del Rey of Madrid. Originally an old residence, the city bought and reconstructed it between 1796-99. The facade is featured by two graceful towers, one housing a chime clock placed there in 1819. Under there two towers, and connecting them, is an arcade wall in traditional romantic style." -- WPA Guide, 1940. The square has been renamed Plaza Baldorioty de Castro. The seedlings bordering the square and barely visible here have grown into large, shady trees. Digital image.Kodak. Detroit Photograph Company. Photochroms. Box 2. Attached to 11 x 14 in., acid-free window mat. All rights reserved by the source institution. San Juan (Puerto Rico) Droits : All rights reserved by the source institution. 1991-530-15 | Partager |
![]() | Map of Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies / constructed and engraved by W. Williams Auteur(s) : Williams, W. Éditeur(s) : S. Augustus Mitchell S. Augustus Mitchell ( Philadelphia ) Résumé : Shows Florida, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean area. Inset maps: Map of the Bermuda islands. -- Map of the Panama Railroad. -- Map of the island of Cuba. -- Map of the island of Jamaica Digital Image 2005. 13.3 M, 300 ppi, rgb tif. Robert C. Rogers Collection. M103D Central America Mexico Jamaica Cuba Droits : All rights reserved by the source institution. 1996-916-112 | Partager |