Carpenter, L. G. (Louis George), 1861-1935

Louis G. Carpenter, irrigation and consulting engineer, arrived in Colorado from Michigan in 1888 to serve as professor of Engineering and Physics at the Colorado Agricultural College.His instruction in irrigation engineering was the first systematic coursework on that subject and in 1890 Irrigation Engineering became the College's fourth major. In 1899 Carpenter was appointed director of the Colorado Experiment Station. He investigated irrigation systems in the United States and Europe and became a recognized expert on that subject. He was often consulted in the area of water law, most notably, in 1902-1906 when he conferred in the suit brought by Kansas against Colorado regarding the Arkansas River. This expertise led to his appointment as Colorado State Engineer, serving in that position between 1903-1905. His was also in demand as a consultant on dam, irrigation and hydraulic construction. Carpenter left the College in 1911 and established an engineering consulting firm in Denver with his brother.

From the description of Papers of Louis G. Carpenter, 1892-1910. (Poudre River Public Library District). WorldCat record id: 61266733

Colorado irrigation engineer who specialized in irrigation and water-use practices in the Rocky Mountain region. Taught at Colorado Agricultural College, 1888-1922.

From the description of Papers, 1881-1947. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 29463029

Louis G. Carpenter, irrigation and consulting engineer, arrived in Colorado from Michigan in 1888 to serve as professor of Engineering and Physics at the Colorado Agricultural College. Born in Orion, Michigan, on March 28, 1861, he received a B.S. from Michigan Agricultural College in 1879, an M.S. in 1883, and an honorary D. Engineering in 1927. He did post-graduate work at both the University of Michigan and at Johns Hopkins University.

Carpenter's career began at Michigan Agricultural College where he taught mathematics between 1881 and 1888. In 1888 he replaced Elwood Mead at the Colorado Agricultural College as head and professor of Engineering and Physics. His instruction in irrigation engineering was the first systematic coursework on that subject and in 1890 Irrigation Engineering became the College's fourth major. In 1899 Carpenter was appointed director of the Colorado Experiment Station. He was twice offered the presidency of the Colorado Agricultural College, but declined the opportunity both times.

Carpenter investigated irrigation systems in the United States and Europe and became a recognized expert on that subject. France awarded him the Chevalier du Merite Agricole in 1895 for his work in agriculture, and in 1900 he received a gold medal at the Paris exposition for his work in irrigation. He was often consulted in the area of water law, most notably, in 1902-1906 when he conferred in the suit brought by Kansas against Colorado regarding the Arkansas River. This expertise led to his appointment as Colorado State Engineer, serving in that position between 1903-1905. His was also in demand as a consultant on dam, irrigation and hydraulic construction.

Carpenter was closely involved in the controversy within the college about its future, and whether the aim of the institution should be as a school to train farmers, or an institution with a broader focus. Carpenter supported the latter and his view prevailed.

Carpenter left the Colorado Agricultural College in 1911 and established an engineering consulting firm in Denver with his brother. Carpenter married Mary Merrell in 1887. They had two children, a son Charles L. and a daughter Jeannette. His first wife died in 1921 and he married Katherine M. Warren in 1922. Carpenter died in Denver, September 12, 1935.

From the guide to the Papers of Louis G. Carpenter, 1892-1910, (Colorado State University Water Resources Archive)