Edwin Harrison McHenry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edwin Harrison McHenry
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| Born | January 25, 1859 Cincinnati, Ohio, US
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| Died | August 21, 1931 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Pennsylvania Military College |
| Occupation | civil engineer, railroad official |
| Employer | Northern Pacific Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway, New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad |
| Known for | civil engineering railroad official |
| Title | chief engineer, receiver, vice-president |
| Predecessor | John William Kendrick |
| Successor | William Lafayette Darling |
Edwin Harrison McHenry (born January 25, 1859 – died August 21, 1931) was an important American civil engineer and railroad official. He held high positions at several major railway companies. These included the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad and the Consolidated Railway. Before that, he was a chief engineer for the Northern Pacific Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway.
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About Edwin McHenry's Life
Edwin Harrison McHenry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 25, 1859. He went to college at the Pennsylvania Military College in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Starting a Career in Railroads
McHenry began his railroad career in 1883. He started as a rodman for the Northern Pacific Railroad. A rodman helps with surveying, which is measuring land to plan construction. He worked his way up through many different roles.
- He became a chainman, draftsman, and leveler.
- He also worked as a transitman and assistant engineer.
- Later, he became a division engineer and principal assistant engineer.
- From 1893 to 1896, he served as the company's chief engineer.
Leadership Roles in Railways
On October 1, 1904, McHenry became the first vice-president of the Consolidated Railway. He was in charge of building, running, and maintaining the trolley lines. These trolley lines were owned by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. He also became the fourth vice-president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. In this role, he managed the electrical department.
Key Achievements in Engineering
While working for the Northern Pacific, McHenry achieved two major engineering feats. He also made a clever marketing suggestion.
- Building the Stampede Tunnel: In the 1880s, McHenry was a lead engineer on Stampede Pass. He helped build the Stampede Tunnel. This tunnel connected western Washington to the East by rail. It was very important for cities like Seattle and Tacoma.
- Discovering Homestake Pass: In the early 1890s, McHenry was looking for a new rail line route in Montana. He discovered Homestake Pass. Today, Interstate 90 crosses the Continental Divide at this very pass in Montana.
A Unique Marketing Idea
In 1893, McHenry visited the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He saw the Korean display and noticed the Yin-Yang symbol on the Korean flag. He thought this symbol would be perfect for the Northern Pacific Railway. Around 1896, the company adopted this symbol as its new logo.
McHenry's Legacy
Edwin McHenry passed away on August 21, 1931, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. His work left a lasting mark.
- The town of McHenry, North Dakota was named after him by the Northern Pacific Railway.
- He also named Frances, Washington after his wife, whose middle name was Frances.
