CHARLES HENRY PURCELL

Charles H. Purcell (1883-1951) was educated in civil engineering at Stanford University and specialized in bridge design. In 1927, he was appointed as California’s State Highway Engineer, a post he held until 1942. While he presided over many notable projects in California, including the building of the first freeways, nothing occupied his skills and time as thoroughly as the Bay Bridge. In 1929, Purcell had been appointed technical advisor to the Hoover-Young Commission and in 1931, Governor Jim Rolph appointed him Chief Engineer of the Bay Bridge.

Purcell drew his leadership team chiefly from the Division of Highways along with an advisory board that included the most respected bridge engineers in the nation. Upon completion, the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge was renowned for being the longest and most expensive bridge ever built ($77,600,000).  More than 6,500 employees worked on the project that was completed several months ahead of schedule.








 

Design & Construction | Cable Spinning
Autos & Trains | Charles H. Purcell | Celebration