Aurin B. Nichols was employed by the Isthmian Canal Commission in 1899 to survey the Nicaraguan route. In 1904 was assigned to the Panama Canal; served as Assistant Engineer at the Gatun site. Promoted to Resident Engineer at Empire (north of Culebra), then to Office Engineer at the Culebra Cut site where he worked under the first Chief Engineer of the canal, John F. Wallace and then under George W. Goethals after April 1907. Retired in 1914. Nichols was born 11/10/1845 in Charleton, Worcester County, MA; graduated with a civil engineering degree from Brown University; worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Allegheny Railroad, and the North and West branch railroads. In 1879 and 1880 performed extensive, detailed surveys of the state of American railroads for the Department of the Interior. Became member of ASCE while General Manager of the Reynoldsville Mining ... Co. in PA before appointed to the I.C.C. Collection is comprised of materials gathered and organized during tenure as Office Engineer, though some material was added to 1923. The Office Engineer led a department of 12 staff members including engineers, architects, and draftsmen.
From the description of Panama Canal Collection, 1846-1923 (bulk 1906-1914). (Linda Hall Library). WorldCat record id: 61197786
