Date

Event

1870 Jan 9

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio of Raphael and Caroline Baermann Strauss

1885-1888

Attended old Hughes High School on East 5^th Street

1888-1892

Attended University of Cincinnati

1889

Began work to establish a chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon on the Cincinnati campus

1891-1892

President of class of 1892

1892

Graduated from University of Cincinnati with a Civil Engineering degree.  Presented plan to build a 50-mile railroad bridge across the Bering Straits.

1892

Draftsman for New Jersey Steel and Iron Company in Trenton

1894

Instructor in engineering at University of Cincinnati

1895-1897

Detailer, inspector, estimator and then designer for Lassig Bridge & Iron Company, Chicago

1895 Jun 9

Married May Van, daughter of Charles Van of Cincinnati, in Chicago

1897-1899

Designer and squad boss for Sanitary District of Chicago

1899

Principal assistant engineer, Chicago office manager for Ralph Modjeski, consulting engineer

1902

Started own firm, the Strauss Bascule Bridge Company of Chicago [later became Strauss Engineering Corporation]

1902

Built first bascule rail bridge near Lake Erie over Cuyahoga River

Patented the Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge

1905

University of Cincinnati College of Engineering founded

1914

Completed single-leaf Strauss bascule bridge over Calumet River at South Chicago

1914

Completed double-leaf Strauss bascule bridge over U.S. Ship Canal at Sault Ste Marie MI

1915

Designed and built Aeroscope for 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco

1915

Completed double-leaf Strauss bascule bridge over Neva River in Petrograd, Russia to the former Winter Palace of the Czar

1917

Strauss asked by Michael O’Shaughnessy, San Francisco city engineer, to offer “an opinion on the feasibility of building a bridge over the Golden Gate” [Thomas D. O’Connor, “The Golden Dream,” The Enquirer Magazine, Sunday, September 19, 1982]

1919 Apr 1

Received patent for Reinforced Concrete Gondola Car

1920 Jan 20

Received patent for “disappearing” Observation Tower

1920

Designed and built bascule door hangar

1920

Strauss sought and received survey of the GG channel floor

1921 Jun 28

Submitted preliminary sketches of GGB to Michael M. O’Shaughnessy, San Francisco City Engineer

1921 Aug 3

Transmitted blueprint for the GGB and estimate ($17,000,000).  $13,700,000 for the superstructure and $3,300,000 for the substructure.

1921

Strauss hired Charles Ellis, civil engineer 

1922 Mar 1

Submitted prospectus of the GGB.

1922

Proposed formation of special district to construct the GGB, along with O’Shaughnessy and Edward Rainey, Secretary to the Mayor of San Francisco

1923 Jan 13

Association of Bridging the Gate formed.

1923 May 25

Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District Act enacted

1924 Aug 26

Received patent for Military Reconnoitering Apparatus

1924 Dec 20

Provisional permit to construct the GGB

1925 Feb 3

Received patent for Bascule Door Hangar

1925 May 23

GGBHD Act published

1929

Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District organized. William P. Filmer, President and James Reed, General Manager

1929 Aug 15

Strauss appointed Chief Engineer (CE)

1929 Aug

First meeting of panel of consulting engineers: Moisseiff (leading suspension bridge theorist and designer), Ammann, Derleth

1929 Oct 1

Contract for the land and water test borings for GGB

1929 Oct 7

Strauss contract as CE signed

1929

Strauss Engineering Corporation

1929

Strauss appointed Charles Ellis, Vice President in Strauss Engineering Corporation, as design engineer for the GGB

1929 Oct 24

Strauss met Keesling of GGBHD Board for first time, in New York

1929 Nov 25

Test borings begun at pier sites

1930 Jan 21

Strauss addressed Rotary Club lunch, Keesling present

1930

GGB building permit issued by War Department

1930 Feb 25

Preliminary test boring completed

1930 Mar 12

Progress report by Strauss to District Board and engineering consultants

1930 Jun 12

Meeting of GGB consultants in Chicago to review Ellis’ preliminary plans

1930 Jun

Strauss awarded honorary Doctor of Science degree (D.Sc.) from University of Cincinnati by Herman Schneider, President

1930

In charge of design/construction of the Columbia River Bridge at Longview WA, completed in 1930

1930

Co-designer of Montreal-South Shore Bridge with a Canadian firm

1930 Jun 26

Strauss and Filmer got testimony from Captain Dollar re bridge clearance

1930 July 8

Keesling reported on investigation of Chamber of Commerce and possibility of a personal attack on Strauss

1930 Aug 22

Ellis took his preliminary plans to San Francisco.  Strauss had prepared report separately and the GGB directors had it rewritten by the traffic engineer, according to Ellis, who traced Strauss displeasure with him to this occasion.  Strauss sent Ellis back to Chicago rather than having him remain in San Francisco to give technical advice.

1930 Aug 28

Keesling reviewed Strauss report [to be submitted to voters] with Strauss, Alan MacDonald [General Manager], Ellis. “...expressing to Professor Ellis my criticism of the Strauss report, the danger of exaggerations, and inaccuracies appearing in the part of the report is largely surplusage.”  Ellis then delivered a copy of Strauss’ report, volume 1, as requested by Keesling. [From Keesling’s Daily Calendar]

1930 Sep 1

Keesling phoned Filmer with criticism of report

1930 Sep 2

Keesling arranged for conference on Strauss report with Ellis

1930 Sep 3

Keesling arranged for conference on Strauss report with MacDonald & Taylor

1930 Sep 5

Keesling met with Strauss and MacDonald

1930 Sep 23

Keesling met with Strauss and Duncan re ship owners, desiring 250’ vertical clearance under GGB

1930 Sep

Ellis made keynote address on theory of the GGB to scientists at the West Coast meeting of the National Academy of Sciences in Berkeley.

1930 Oct 16

Commonwealth Club meeting on bridge design, with Derleth crediting Moisseiff and Ellis for the expert design in arguing against detractors of the GGB project

1930 Nov 4

$35 million in bonds voted by people of District

1930 Nov 18

Strauss report outlining engineering procedure for construction of GGB.  Report designated Ellis director of the Computation Division, to compute stresses.  Also under Ellis the specs, contracts and proposal forms, to be reviewed by Mr. Paine in the Plans Division.  Preparation of general plans and checking the Contractor’s working plans asssigned to the Plans Division under Clifford E. Paine.  Both Divisions to be in Chicago.

1930 Nov

According to Ellis, Strauss put Paine in charge of GGB project (former student of Ellis and recruited by Ellis to Strauss Engineering Corporation).  Strauss assigned Ellis to write all the specs for the complete job (10 different contracts). [From van der Zee, John and Cone, Russ “The case of the missing engineer,” San Francisco Examiner Image, May 31, 1992, pp. 6-11]

1931 Dec 12

Keesling met with Ammann in NYC re practice of submitting plans for entire GGB structure all at once, which Strauss had said could be done without detriment

1931 Mar 12

At consulting board meeting, Strauss presented his own specs for the 10 contracts.  They were revised and submitted to the Board.  Ellis completed his own specifications, which became the official specifications for the bridge in 8 volumes.  Bids for the GGB based on Ellis’ specifications. [per van der Zee article]

1931 April 10

Strauss filed with GGBHD blueprints for

·        General Plan and Elevation

·        Presidio road map, property map and road profile

·        Ft. Baker right-of-way map

·        Plan, elevation and sections of structure near Fort Point – bridge ends

1931 May 6

Strauss met with Keesling re borings

1931 Jun 17

GGB bids opened

1931

Ellis returned to Chicago office to work on bridge towers.  Strauss urged him to take vacation. [per van der Zee]

1931 Jun 19

Strauss asked Professor Beggs to confer with his engineers and consultants re proposal and cost of making model tests of the GGB main towers.  Beggs met with Ellis, Paine, Derleth, Ammann, Moisseiff and Troxell.

1931 Jun 22

Beggs report on proposed model construction and cost

1931 Jun 25

Strauss sought approval to move drilling apparatus

1931 Jul 7

Strauss met with Keesling re duties of engineers re inspection

1931 Jul 9

Strauss met with Keesling re bonds and funds for his commissions

1931 Jul 31

Strauss met with Keesling re Pacific Bridge Co. bid

1931 Aug 10

Strauss called Keesling with info from Dean Witter re loan for Bridge District based on option to buy bonds.  Keesling reaction:  “...my personal reaction that it is none of Strauss’ business to be interfering.”  [From Keesling Daily Calendar]

1931 Aug 11

Received patent for Yielding Barrier for Vehicles

1931 Dec 5

Strauss urges Ellis to take two week vacation [per van der Zee]

1931 Dec 1

Strauss advises Ellis he need not spend so much time on structure.  Put him on indefinite vacation without pay, i.e. dismissed. [van der Zee]

1932 Apr 9

Strauss wrote Beggs re preliminary experiments on bridge tower model.  Not prepared for further testing on a larger model as yet.  Waiting for financing litigation final brief of the federal court case to go to Judge April 11 and be concluded mid May.

1932

Strauss was consulting engineer for Arlington Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River, completed 1932

1932 May 9

Strauss met with Keesling about compensation for services rendered in order to provide complete detailed plans for GGB before submission of the bond issue to the voters

1932

Nervous breakdown; spent time in Adirondacks

1932

Wrote poem “The Redwoods,” published as a song

1932 Sep 15

Strauss and Filmer met with Building Trades Council re employment of only union labor.  [Not legal to restrict, says Keesling in his Calendar]

1932 Nov 30

Strauss reported on surveys of north/south road

1932 Dec 1

Keesling met briefly with Paine re Ellis to review tenor of Ellis’ activities.  Keesling suggested that Strauss should grant Ellis an interview if at all possible.

1932 Dec 1

Moisseiff wrote letter to Derleth indicating that steel-inspecting engineer Baker did not wish to have inspection headquartered in Chicago, as requested by Paine on behalf of Strauss.  Moisseiff and Ammann prefer NYC. 

1932 Dec 13

Strauss and MacDonald met with Keesling re McClintic-Marshall contract provisions

1932 Dec 19

From Keesling’s Calendar: “...reviewing with W.P. Filmer unsatisfactory results and lack of accomplishment of Strauss, conferences and contacts with Highway Commission.  Evidence of attempt to shift responsibility and necessity of protecting against it.  Discussed managerial problems.  Further discussion at luncheon relative to having the advice and suggest of Clark Cottrell” re North Road problems.

1932 Dec 20

H.V. Tucker called Keesling to request information concerning informal action of the Engineer and General Manager as to qualifications [from Keesling Calendar]

1932 Dec 29

Keesling phoned Strauss re computation of effect of proposals re McClintic-Marshall contract

1933 Jan

Construction of Golden Gate Bridge began

1933 Jan 19

Strauss’ secretary Miss Burns sick, putting Strauss behind in correspondence

1933 Jan 20

Strauss phoned Keesling to alert that inspecting engineer Baker had arrived

1933 Jan 30

Strauss ordered a fleet to San Francisco for celebration

1933 Feb

First official spade of earth was turned for GGB

1933 Feb 1

Keesling met with Reed, who had conference with Baker re inspection and Reed report as to supervision, desiring protection against Strauss [Strauss had wanted Baker to report to him and have Chicago as his home office]

1933 Feb 3

On the GGBHD Building Committee agenda: the Baker contract or letter and Reed’s understanding with Strauss.  Strauss letter unsatisfactory and to be modified.

1933 Feb 18

Keesling conferred with Reed re Strauss’ attitude re the type of inspection if he must bear the cost

1933 Feb 25

Strauss spoke at GGB Banquet commemorating the ground-breaking ceremonies, Fairmont Hotel

1933 Mar 2

Strauss called Keesling to confer re interpretation of the contract re responsibility for inspection

1933 Mar 3

Strauss wrote Beggs wanting revised proposal from Beggs re model test to present to GGBHD Board

1933 Mar

Much correspondence re interpretation of Strauss’ contract vis-a-vis field inspection and who pays for it

1933  Mar 9

Ammann wrote Strauss re interpretation of the contract re field inspection, advised that the contract implies Strauss should pay for it

1933 Mar 16

Beggs wrote Strauss with revised proposal for model test

1933 Apr 4

Strauss wrote Keesling re who bears cost of inspection, District or Strauss?

1933 Apr 7

Harlan [District lawyer] says interest contemplated by Strauss provision for specified amounts

1933  Jun 7

Keesling met with Paine, Derleth, Reed re plans for marina connections

1933 Jun 23

Keesling confered with Reed re Strauss Co. statement prepared by Paine for fees.  Keesling Calendar:  “...policy of requiring Strauss’ presence in order to prevent evasion and delay.”

1933 Jun 29

Keesling Calendar:  “...phoned Cone, informing him of purpose of insisting upon conference with Strauss and confidence in him personally, in order to avoid misunderstanding.  Same expression to Paine, calling him at Strauss’ office.”  Keesling had conference with Filmer re Strauss situation.

1933 Jul 19

Strauss called Keesling re status of Contracts IV and V.  Keesling requested conference for consideration of problems re fees and extras.

1933 Aug

Strauss absent

1933 Aug 7

Strauss addressed long (12-page) letter to Keesling stating his position re the contract and field inspection, extra work, and terms of payment.

1933 Aug 20

Building Committee reviewed extensive letter from Strauss re cost of inspection and extras

1933 Aug 24

Building Committee: Sidney Taylor letter to Strauss re to desirability of traffic study as related to streets in San Francisco.  Not much impressed with it.  ???  [From Keesling Calendar]

1933 Sep 1

Strauss called Keesling “...relating to claims for adjustment and interpretation of contract as related to inspection and extra work.  Informed Strauss of my general attitude and as well statement made by Moisieff relating to the intention of fixing responsibility for payment by the Engineer of expense of inspection in the field.  Strauss disturbed by wheat he believes to be lack of co-operation.  He referred to activities of progress and cost estimates from the office of the District and criticisms by Mr. Murtagh, a discharged inspector.  Informed him that my interpretation of commissions from the General Manager based upon Murtagh criticism intended only as support by the Engineer in urging greater progress by Barrett & Hilp.  [From Keesling Calendar]

1933 Nov 1

Keesling went to south works with Strauss, Cone, Derleth re fender damage

1933 Nov 20

Keesling met with Strauss and Filmer at Strauss’ office “relating to attitude of directors, which is disturbing Strauss, who believes that an unfortunate prejudice exists among some of the directors.  Some disturbances in inter-office relations.”  Suggested all communications go through General Manager.

1933 Nov 24

GGBHD Attorney and General Manager prepared analysis of CE’s contract

1934 Jan 4

Above analysis sent to Building Committee

1934 Jan 17

Strauss wrote Keesling that he didn’t have a chance to review the analysis before it went to the Building Committee, as initially agreed.  Asked for additional response time.

1934 Jan 18

GGBHD Building Committee considered Strauss’ revised letter re interpretation of his contract

1934 Jan 20

Beggs at Princeton tested model of bridge tower

1934 Jan 25

Beggs wrote Strauss re demo test presentation January 20

1934 Feb 1

Keesling Calender re Strauss: “...conflict of authority related to releasing information concerning soundings”

1934 Feb 2

Moisseiff wrote Paine; Begg’s concerns academic.  Analysis is sufficient.

1934 Feb 6

Beggs wrote Paine re torsional stresses

1934 Feb 7

Paine from Strauss Engineering Corporation wrote Moisseiff agreeing that Begg’s testing was sufficient.

1934 Feb 16

Keesling conferred with Strauss re relief map incident, with Keesling expressing regret at Strauss’ continued chagrin and denial of all knowledge and admonishing discontinuance of an unfortunate attitude.

1934 Feb 19

Keesling conferred with Strauss re relief map.  There were indications Strauss would criticize it, which would create public misunderstanding.  Strauss informed Keesling his (Strauss’) check had proved the map to be substantially correct. 

Keesling then met with Filmer re the importance of coordination between Reed (General Manager) and the CE (Strauss) notwithstanding difficulties; essential to keep the CE informed, not only for cooperation and service, but as well to avoid disavowal of responsibility.  The importance of such policy stressed by additional information from PWA local authorities, lack of consultation with the CE necessitating personal request for conference between the CE and the local Board.

1934 Mar 1

Keesling had informal conference with Strauss re Strauss’ apprehensions concerning delay

1934 Mar 1

Strauss lawyers John L. McNab and Henry C. Clausen submit opinion on inspection issue

1934 Mar 16

Strauss advised no further tests with model needed

1934 Apr 18

Strauss hearing with GGBHD Board

1934 Apr 28

Keesling read argument of Strauss’ counsel

1934 Jul 6

Keesling interviewed Strauss re assumption re field inspection costs and alternate Funston Ave approach

1934 Jul 20

Building Committee reviewed calculation of Strauss payments

1934 Jul 30

Building Committee met re annoyance of controversy between Contractor and Chief Engineer and General Manager re added reinforcement in south pier

1934 Aug-Sep

Keesling reviewed Strauss contract

1934 Sept

Keesling reviewed McClintic-Marshall contract

1934 Sept 24

Meeting of all the above

1934 Sept 28

Keesling conferred with Strauss re information from Cone re proposed installment payment of salaries

1934 Oct 1

Strauss called Keesling re transcript of testimony in Bailey Willis matter

1934 Oct 8

Caisson for south pier towed into position.  Storm that night (heaviest in 30 years) damaged mooring cables and steel work supporting the working platform

1934 Oct 9

Strauss went to scene, discussed situation with Cone and Derleth, and later Pacific Bridge Company and Reed.

1934 Oct 10

Strauss permitted contractor to remove the caisson for south pier

1934, Oct 16

Paine attended meeting re McClintic-Marshall Co.

1934 Oct 19

Strauss distressed that McClintic-Marshall Co. withheld construction schedule

1934 Oct 27

Strauss wrote Ammann and Moisseiff re their review of the new construction method

1934 Oct 31

Strauss call Keesling to object to further borings

1934 Oct 31

Strauss reported to Building Committee on revised procedure for construction of the pier.

1934 Nov 6

Strauss wrote Lawson and Sedgwick re foundation loads for the south pier

1934 Nov 14

Strauss submitted report re revised procedure

1934 Nov 19

Strauss special report on changing the construction method for the south pier to Building Committee.

1935 Jan 24

Strauss wrote Derleth re Cone’s report on pressure tests for the south pier

1935 Feb 14

Keesling inquired re litigation involving Chief Engineer personally from Behrens of the Chronicle

1935 Feb 27

Keesling conferred with Strauss re his personal troubles, and determining his stand on his claim for fees.

Keesling referred to litigation [against Strauss] instituted by Doc Meyers and other litigation and complications, claim for compensation for services under an earlier engagement [without foundation said Strauss].  Also pending action against the District for 1% additional.  Strauss’ concern resulted from what he believed to be antagonism in the office, and antagonism of the [District] attorney, which developed as a result of claims for extra work.  Lack of coordination....

1935 Mar 9

Strauss received report on settlement levels from Cone

1935 Summer

Operated experimental school for transient boys in Clyde CA

1935 Jul 23

Strauss asked Keesling for pay

1935 Aug 5

Keesling met with Strauss re extra work fee problems.

1935 Nov 9,11

Keesling met with Strauss re toll plaza

1935 Nov 16

Strauss called Keesling re work fees

1935-1936

Strauss submitted memos and details re military replacements 10/7/35, 11/25/35, 12/30/35, 1/14/36

1936 Feb 6

Strauss submitted letter re fees

1936 Feb 7,12,21

Keesling met with Strauss re fees

1936 Feb 24

Building Committee met re Strauss fees

1936 Feb 26

Keesling received communication from Internal Revenue Department re Strauss unpaid taxes.  Conferred with Attorney Harlan to reply to Collector.

1936 Mar 6

Strauss writes Reed re simplifying toll classifications

1936 Apr 1,23

Keesling met with Strauss re his financial difficulties and extra compensation for military replacements

1936 Apr 29

Strauss rejected some cable from Roebling based on specs

1936 May 8

Pay advance arrangement for CE

1936 Aug 31

Keesling met with Strauss re publicity releases in paper and re his re-opening claim for compensation for military replacements, forgetting or overlooking his own attitude toward the Board which indicates only a desire to get everything that he can.  This is proved by Strauss’ claims for extra compensation by reason of delay, etc for an additional 1% to which he is not entitled.  [Keesling Calendar]

1936 Sept 21

Strauss submitted request for extra compensation again

1936 Oct 2

Keesling met with Strauss re his financial distress

1936 Oct 26

Strauss litigation discussed by Keesling with Attorney Harlan re expert testimony, problems relating to Derleth [didn’t want to testify and jeopardize relationship with Strauss] and data in files

1936 Nov 2

Keesling reviewed Strauss litigation

1936 Nov 18

Strauss attorney John L. McNab wrote Filmer that jury decided in favor of Strauss and summarized the case

1937 Feb 17

Work on GGB suspended due to accident with stripping platform

1937 Feb 20

Strauss inspected accident site and recovered net

1937 May 26

Construction of Golden Gate Bridge completed

1937 May 27

Bridge opened to pedestrians. Dedication party attended by UC President Raymond Walters

1937

Strauss proposed rapid transit system for Los Angeles

1938 May 16

Died in Los Angeles from heart condition, buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.  In Memoriam statement in back cover of GGBHD 1937-1938 Annual Report states:  “...construction of the Golden Gate Bridge culminated his great career as a bridge engineer.”

1938

Strauss succeeded by Russ Cone as Chief Engineer of GGB

1938 Sept 14

GGB plaque dedication ceremony

1941 May 28

Statue of Strauss by Frederick W. Schweigardt of San Francisco unveiled