William I. Baucus papers, 1903-1919

Summary

Creator:
Baucus, William I.
Abstract:
The Baucus papers contain a photograph album and several postcards reflecting the travels and the engineering work in which Baucus was engaged.
Extent:
0.50 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

William I. Baucus papers, MC 36. Institute Archives and Special Collections. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY.

Background

Scope and content:

The William I. Baucus papers (MC 36) contain a small collection of postcards and a photograph album reflecting the travels and the engineering work in which Baucus was engaged. The postcards, collected or posted, include images of Panama (1903-1904), such as the Culebra cut, Cuba (1908), Grand Turk Island (1912), and the Dominican Republic (1912).

The photograph album contains images of engineering work sites in Panama, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico as part of Baucus's work, responsibilities, and travels as a civil engineer for the United States Army Corps of Engineers between 1905 and 1913. The album highlights key individuals responsible for the construction of the Panama Canal: John F. Stevens, Theodore Shonts, President Theodore Roosevelt, and William Gorgas. Also included are images of key locations within the Canal Zone such as Gatun Lake and dam, Corozal, Culebra Cut, Pedro Miguel Locks, Ancon, and the Chagres River. Images of engineering equipment used by the French and Americans are included such as the Bucyrus Steam Shovel, and the Lidgerwood Unloader. Panama natives and town folk are also highlighted where water systems, roads, and wharves are concerned.

Additional notable geographic locations included within the album are Santo Domingo, Cuba, and Dominican Republic all of which highlight indigenous populations, homes, cities, harbors, engineering work, customs and festivals. Baucus includes numerous photographs that highlight the various battlegrounds and landmarks during the Spanish American War in 1898 as well. For example the Siege of Santo Domingo, Battle of San Juan Hill, Chiriqui Fortress, El Morro Castle, and El Caney Battlefield are all well documented throughout.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Preferred citation:

William I. Baucus papers, MC 36. Institute Archives and Special Collections. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY.

Location of this collection:
Folsom Library
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 Eighth St
Troy, NY 12180, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
518-276-8340