Inventory
Collection Summary |
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| Creator: | Carpenter, L. G. (Louis George), 1861-1935 | |
| Title: | Papers of Louis G. Carpenter | |
| Dates: | 1892-1910 | |
| Quantity: | 1 linear foot | |
| Identification: | WLGC | |
| Abstract: | Louis G. Carpenter (1861-1935), irrigation engineer, was appointed professor and head of engineering and physics at the Colorado Agricultural College in 1888. He became director of the Colorado Experiment Station at that institution in 1899. Carpenter remained at the College until 1911. Carpenter initiated the first systematic instruction in irrigation engineering, consulted widely on irrigation and hydraulic construction projects, and was also consulted for his expertise in water law. The Carpenter papers consists primarily of correspondence, most reflecting issues of the department and Experiment Station, including construction of the new Civil and Irrigation Engineering building, controversy concerning the focus of the institution as a school to train farmers or as a university, student grades, letters of recommendation and coursework, and the field school sponsored by the department. | |
| Contact Information: | Water Resources Archive Archives and Special Collections Morgan Library Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1019 USA Phone: 970-491-1844 Fax: 970-491-1195 Email: specialcollections@library.colostate.edu URL: http://lib.colostate.edu/archives/water/ |
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There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.
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Index Terms |
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| This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Colorado State University Libraries online catalog. Researchers seeking materials about related subjects, persons, organizations or places should search the catalog using these headings. | ||
| Subjects: | ||
| Education (Higher)--Colorado--Fort Collins. | ||
| Irrigation engineering--Colorado. | ||
| Persons: | ||
| Carpenter, L. G. (Louis George), 1861-1935. | ||
| Organizations: | ||
| Colorado Agricultural College. Dept. of Civil and Irrigation Engineering. | ||
| Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station. | ||
| Colorado Agricultural College. | ||
| Places: | ||
| Fort Collins (Colo.) | ||
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Louis G. Carpenter, irrigation and consulting engineer, arrived in Colorado from Michigan in 1888 to serve as professor of Engineering and Physics at the Colorado Agricultural College. Born in Orion, Michigan, on March 28, 1861, he received a B.S. from Michigan Agricultural College in 1879, an M.S. in 1883, and an honorary D. Engineering in 1927. He did post-graduate work at both the University of Michigan and at Johns Hopkins University.
Carpenter's career began at Michigan Agricultural College where he taught mathematics between 1881 and 1888. In 1888 he replaced Elwood Mead at the Colorado Agricultural College as head and professor of Engineering and Physics. His instruction in irrigation engineering was the first systematic coursework on that subject and in 1890 Irrigation Engineering became the College's fourth major. In 1899 Carpenter was appointed director of the Colorado Experiment Station. He was twice offered the presidency of the Colorado Agricultural College, but declined the opportunity both times.
Carpenter investigated irrigation systems in the United States and Europe and became a recognized expert on that subject. France awarded him the Chevalier du Merite Agricole in 1895 for his work in agriculture, and in 1900 he received a gold medal at the Paris exposition for his work in irrigation. He was often consulted in the area of water law, most notably, in 1902-1906 when he conferred in the suit brought by Kansas against Colorado regarding the Arkansas River. This expertise led to his appointment as Colorado State Engineer, serving in that position between 1903-1905. His was also in demand as a consultant on dam, irrigation and hydraulic construction.
Carpenter was closely involved in the controversy within the college about its future, and whether the aim of the institution should be as a school to train farmers, or an institution with a broader focus. Carpenter supported the latter and his view prevailed.
Carpenter left the Colorado Agricultural College in 1911 and established an engineering consulting firm in Denver with his brother. Carpenter married Mary Merrell in 1887. They had two children, a son Charles L. and a daughter Jeannette. His first wife died in 1921 and he married Katherine M. Warren in 1922. Carpenter died in Denver, September 12, 1935.
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The Papers of Louis G. Carpenter consists primarily of routine correspondence dated 1900-1910, and some lantern slides dating to 1892, primarily depicting the Zola Dam in France. There are letters from and to manufacturers and publishers concerning equipment, materials and books that might be needed in the department and for the new Civil and Irrigation Engineering Building. Carpenter's role as professor and chair is reflected in the letters concerning students, including letters of inquiry about the department, letters of recommendation, grade reports, and courses offered in the department. Included as well is some correspondence regarding field surveys carried out under Carpenter's direction. As director of the Colorado Experiment Station, he received requests for information and publications from the Station, and this is reflected in the correspondence. The controversy about the focus of the college includes solicitation of information from other agricultural colleges as well as letters seeking support for his position that the College be more than a training school for farmers.
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Folders are arranged in alphabetical order, with approximate chronological order within folders. Lantern slides are at the end, placed in order of the number appearing on the slide.
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Papers of Louis G. Carpenter, Water Resources Archive, Colorado State University.
The Papers of Louis G. Carpenter was transferred from the University Archives in July 2004. Lantern slides were separated from the Ralph L. Parshall Collection and added to this collection in February 2005, since the notation "Zola Dam France L.G.C. 1892" appears on two slides (#108 and #110).
Processing was completed in August 2004. Materials were placed in acid-free folders, and reboxed, and metal fasteners were removed. Lantern slides were processed in February 2005 and were placed in acid-free folders.
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Carpenter, Louis George, 1861-1935. Papers, 1881-1947. Denver Public Library Conservation Collection. 15 linear ft.
Records of the Colorado Experiment Station, Colorado Agricultural Archive, Colorado State University.
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Note: Estimated pagination is preceded by an "e."
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