History of the Texas Section — ASCE

The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) was started in July of 1913 by a group of seven engineers after a Texas Good Roads meeting in Corpus Christi. They reconvened at the North Beach (Breakers) Hotel with a plentiful supply of beer to discuss how to set up such an organization. This group consisted of Terrell Bartlett, San Antonio; John B. Hawley, Fort Worth; J. Milton Howe, Houston; Robert J. Potts, College Station; James C. Nagle, College Station; Julian C. Feild, Denison; and J. F. Witt, Dallas. Most of these men were members of ASCE. At least three State or Urban associations of members of ASCE had been formed in previous years and five were formed during 1913. The Texas organizers were mostly consulting engineers but included a couple of college professors. Following the meeting in Corpus Christi, invitations were sent out announcing a Texas meeting to be held during the State Fair of Texas in late October. Charlie Davis of Fort Worth got information about forming a group from ASCE while on a trip to New York City. A meeting to formalize the organization was held in the Old Red Court House in Dallas on October 31, 1913. J. C. Nagle was elected the first president and J. F. Witt was elected secretary. This served as the beginning of the Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.