Morris, Samuel B. (Samuel Brooks), 1890-1962

Upon graduation from Stanford University in 1911 with a degree in civil engineering, Samuel Morris returned to Pasadena and took a job as a field engineer with the North Pasadena Land and Water Company. This company was one of the private water companies that were purchased and merged to form the Pasadena Water Department (PWD). He was an Assistant Engineer in the PWD in 1912, and became Chief Engineer in 1913. He remained with the PWD until 1935. While at the PWD, he designed and built the Pine Canyon Dam, later renamed in his honor as Morris Dam. The Morris Dam was made of reinforced concrete poured 328 feet high and was dedicated by Herbert Hoover in 1934. Morris was appointed to a civil engineering professorship at Stanford University in September 1935. In May 1936, he became the Dean of the School of Engineering. In October 1944, Morris was appointed the General Manager and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Morris worked for LA DWP until his retirement in October 1955. Morris was appointed to a civil engineering professorship at Stanford University in September 1935. In May 1936, he became the Dean of the School of Engineering. In October 1944, Morris was appointed the General Manager and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Morris worked for LA DWP until his retirement in October 1955. One of Morris' duties as General Manager of LA DWP was to serve on the Colorado River Board. Near the end of his tenure at LA DWP, President Dwight Eisenhower offered Morris the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Morris refused the position. After his retirement from LA DWP, Morris continued to consult on engineering projects until his death on March 6, 1962.

Professor of civil engineering, Head of Civil Engineering Department (1935-1944) and Dean of the School of Engineering (1936-1945) at Stanford.

Biographical/Historical Sketch

Professor of civil engineering, Head of Civil Engineering Department (1935-1944) and Dean of the School of Engineering (1936-1945) at Stanford.

Biography

Upon graduation from Stanford University in 1911 with a degree in civil engineering, Samuel Morris returned to Pasadena and took a job as a field engineer with the North Pasadena Land and Water Company. This company was one of the private water companies that were purchased and merged to form the Pasadena Water Department (PWD). He was an Assistant Engineer in the PWD in 1912, and became Chief Engineer in 1913. He remained with the PWD until 1935. While at the PWD, he designed and built the Pine Canyon Dam, later renamed in his honor as Morris Dam. The Morris Dam was made of reinforced concrete poured 328 feet high and was dedicated by Herbert Hoover in 1934.

Morris was appointed to a civil engineering professorship at Stanford University in September 1935. In May 1936, he became the Dean of the School of Engineering. In October 1944, Morris was appointed the General Manager and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Morris worked for LA DWP until his retirement in October 1955.

One of Morris' duties as General Manager of LA DWP was to serve on the Colorado River Board. Near the end of his tenure at LA DWP, President Dwight Eisenhower offered Morris the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Morris refused the position. After his retirement from LA DWP, Morris continued to consult on engineering projects until his death on March 6, 1962.