Walter C. Carey papers

Collection

Identifier: SC-270-MS

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, speeches, manuscripts of technical papers, maps, plans, charts, photographs, books, pamphlets, and journals relating to marine growth, flood control (particularly to the development and installation of revetments on the Misissippi River), and other civil engineering topics and projects. Among the photographs are visual records of flood projects in progress and shots taken on a trip to the Netherlands in 1937. Many of the printed items (mostly produced by the Mississippi River Commission and the Corps of Engineers) were marked by Carey as "rare and valuable." Correspondents include General John R. Hardin, General Harley B. Ferguson, Congressman Paul H. Maloney, Dr. P.W. Zimmerman, Herbert D. Vogel, and Bernard E. Gray.

Dates

Creation: 1907-1979
Creation: Majority of material found within 1920-1963

Creator

Carey, Walter C. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Available to registered researchers by appointment.

Requesting Materials

Materials Request Guidelines

Conditions Governing Use

Reproduction or use of materials is prohibited without the permission of the City Archives & Special Collections. Please review the Archives' Permission to Publish note.

Biographical / Historical

Carey was an Engineer. Born in 1893 at New York City, Carey worked in his early years on various railroad projects in the U.S. and Canada and on subway construction in New York. His long career with the Corps of Engineers began in 1920 and was centered in the New Or leans District. Within the District he held successive positions as Assistant Chief of Operations, Chief of Operations, Chief of Construction, Chief of Design Branch, and Assistant Chief of Engineering. Carey specialized in the design, construction, and operations of flood control projects, and in river stabilization, navigation improvement, and water resources projects. During World War II he served as Engineer and Construction Officer, Eastern Base Section, England, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In that position he was responsible for the design and construction of military installations, including airstrips. From 1930-1933 he served as river stabilization expert in the Office of President, Mississippi River Commission. Following his retirement in 1963, he continued active in his fields of expertise as a consulting engineer. Throughout his career Carey prepa red numerous technical papers, many of which were published in professional journals.