In November of 1891, at the age of twenty-five, John MacDonald Blackstock Hawley arrived in Fort Worth, Texas. A civil engineer from Minnesota, Hawley "hung out his shingle" in 1894 and began a tradition of engineering in Texas that his successors in the firm of Freese and Nichols have continued for one hundred years. This history of Freese and Nichols focuses on the firm's contributions, design innovations, and "firsts" in water supply, water treatment, and wastewater engineering; transportation design for roads, bridges, and airports; city and regional planning; environmental science; and general civil and environmental engineering. A personal as well as professional account, A Century in the Works offers anecdotes about John Hawley's battle-ax punch and eccentric scientific experiments, Simon Freese's penchant for practical jokes, and Marvin Nichols's "water fights" and genealogical shakeups of his family tree. The Freese and Nichols story will interest urban and environmental historians, professional engineers, and those working in related fields of hydraulic engineering, municipal and industrial water and sanitary systems, water quality, dam safety, waste management, transportation systems, and urban development. The student of Texas history will find much of interest here as well. In many ways, the history of Freese and Nichols parallels that of the state for the past one hundred years. The firm has had a pivotal role in developing Texas water resources since Hawley arrived in the state. And it will be the rare Texas reader who has never gone boating or picnicking at one of the over a hundred Texas lakes engineered by the firm in the intervening century.

]]>www.freese.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sat, 10 Oct 2026 11:00:32 GMTThu, 17 Sep 2026 20:44:30 GMT60Freese and Nichols, Inc.<p>In November of 1891, at the age of twenty-five, John MacDonald Blackstock Hawley arrived in Fort Worth, Texas. A civil engineer from Minnesota, Hawley "hung out his shingle" in 1894 and began a tradition of engineering in Texas that his successors in the firm of Freese and Nichols have continued for one hundred years. This history of Freese and Nichols focuses on the firm's contributions, design innovations, and "firsts" in water supply, water treatment, and wastewater engineering; transportation design for roads, bridges, and airports; city and regional planning; environmental science; and general civil and environmental engineering. A personal as well as professional account, A Century in the Works offers anecdotes about John Hawley's battle-ax punch and eccentric scientific experiments, Simon Freese's penchant for practical jokes, and Marvin Nichols's "water fights" and genealogical shakeups of his family tree. The Freese and Nichols story will interest urban and environmental historians, professional engineers, and those working in related fields of hydraulic engineering, municipal and industrial water and sanitary systems, water quality, dam safety, waste management, transportation systems, and urban development. The student of Texas history will find much of interest here as well. In many ways, the history of Freese and Nichols parallels that of the state for the past one hundred years. The firm has had a pivotal role in developing Texas water resources since Hawley arrived in the state. And it will be the rare Texas reader who has never gone boating or picnicking at one of the over a hundred Texas lakes engineered by the firm in the intervening century.</p>serialFreese and Nichols, Inc.drew.bernard@freese.comnoClosing credits for A Century in the Works, concluding the audiobook and acknowledging its authorship and the history of Freese and Nichols.

]]>5e4bf06d-9d83-43a6-9efe-66f3da635c80Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:09:38 GMT<p>Closing credits for <i>A Century in the Works</i>, concluding the audiobook and acknowledging its authorship and the history of Freese and Nichols.</p>no00:00:22128ClosingfullAs Freese and Nichols approaches its 1994 centennial, the firm reflects on a century of change while preparing new leadership, new capabilities, and a new generation of engineers for the future.

]]>0b1b107c-41e7-413f-a450-6dcec1d0a37cThu, 17 Sep 2026 21:09:14 GMT<p>As Freese and Nichols approaches its 1994 centennial, the firm reflects on a century of change while preparing new leadership, new capabilities, and a new generation of engineers for the future.</p>no00:33:23127Chapter 24 - The Second CenturyfullSimon Freese’s final years reveal his enduring intellectual curiosity, devotion to engineering, and determination to preserve the firm’s history through the book that became A Century in the Works.

]]>e97a2327-5092-44d7-8f62-b8654d520df2Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:08:48 GMT<p>Simon Freese’s final years reveal his enduring intellectual curiosity, devotion to engineering, and determination to preserve the firm’s history through the book that became <i>A Century in the Works</i>.</p>no00:21:36126Chapter 23 - Simon W. Freese, 1900-1990fullA look at major projects from the closing decades of the firm’s first century, beginning with Richland-Chambers Reservoir and highlighting assignments notable for their size, complexity, and significance.

]]>00fbd9af-2986-4876-a918-821e5a8f77e8Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:08:18 GMT<p>A look at major projects from the closing decades of the firm’s first century, beginning with Richland-Chambers Reservoir and highlighting assignments notable for their size, complexity, and significance.</p>no00:54:46125Chapter 22 - Richland, Stacy, and BetweenfullThe firm incorporates in 1977 and adapts to a changing professional landscape shaped by energy conservation, environmental protection, workplace equality, and increasingly diverse engineering assignments.

]]>32360261-c324-4753-b886-f5d5b9734fcaThu, 17 Sep 2026 21:07:57 GMT<p>The firm incorporates in 1977 and adapts to a changing professional landscape shaped by energy conservation, environmental protection, workplace equality, and increasingly diverse engineering assignments.</p>no00:44:01124Chapter 21 - Freese and Nichols, Inc.fullEntering the 1970s, the firm takes on new technical and regulatory challenges while continuing to broaden its engineering practice, from pipeline safety to major public works.

]]>ea84c95b-d705-4150-9618-e8797b2b3c51Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:07:38 GMT<p>Entering the 1970s, the firm takes on new technical and regulatory challenges while continuing to broaden its engineering practice, from pipeline safety to major public works.</p>no00:45:17123Chapter 20 - Designs of the SeventiesfullA portrait of Marvin Nichols as engineer, civic leader, colleague, and friend, highlighting the personal relationships and public service that were as central to his life as his engineering accomplishments.

]]>b8e45e68-6c7e-41d5-bf66-90f6f5d69061Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:07:15 GMT<p>A portrait of Marvin Nichols as engineer, civic leader, colleague, and friend, highlighting the personal relationships and public service that were as central to his life as his engineering accomplishments.</p>no00:20:57122Chapter 19 - Marvin C. Nichols, 1896-1969fullDrought and booming population drive the search for new water supplies as Freese and Nichols helps plan and design major reservoirs serving Fort Worth and communities throughout Texas.

]]>62e0b08f-64e5-46f9-81dd-114169fbbfb9Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:06:52 GMT<p>Drought and booming population drive the search for new water supplies as Freese and Nichols helps plan and design major reservoirs serving Fort Worth and communities throughout Texas.</p>no00:49:06121Chapter 18 - Making LakesfullAs postwar Texas grows rapidly, Freese and Nichols expands into major transportation and urban infrastructure projects, including the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike and increasingly complex municipal facilities.

]]>b0d86aea-b1d7-4813-9298-70e2cb4c4917Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:06:32 GMT<p>As postwar Texas grows rapidly, Freese and Nichols expands into major transportation and urban infrastructure projects, including the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike and increasingly complex municipal facilities.</p>no00:33:47120Chapter 17 - People, Plants, and ’PikesfullRapid growth and drought expose Texas’ growing water crisis, prompting Simon Freese and other engineers to help develop a comprehensive statewide approach to water conservation and development.

]]>8b26a321-6b14-41d1-8736-3592722a84acThu, 17 Sep 2026 21:06:09 GMT<p>Rapid growth and drought expose Texas’ growing water crisis, prompting Simon Freese and other engineers to help develop a comprehensive statewide approach to water conservation and development.</p>no00:41:58119Chapter 16 - A Texas-Wide Water PlanfullDuring the Korean War, Marvin Nichols is called into federal service to chair a committee responsible for reactivating strategic magnesium and nickel production, including the Nicaro plant in Cuba.

]]>22de2d74-1fa9-48e2-8366-88b4086d3646Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:05:46 GMT<p>During the Korean War, Marvin Nichols is called into federal service to chair a committee responsible for reactivating strategic magnesium and nickel production, including the Nicaro plant in Cuba.</p>no00:34:53118Chapter 15 - A Thankless JobfullFaced with severe water shortages in West Texas, Simon Freese and others begin an ambitious search for a regional supply, work that leads to decades of involvement in bringing dependable water to the area.

]]>a48733ca-bb91-44f7-8f21-0b2e6a80f7c2Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:05:18 GMT<p>Faced with severe water shortages in West Texas, Simon Freese and others begin an ambitious search for a regional supply, work that leads to decades of involvement in bringing dependable water to the area.</p>no00:42:38117Chapter 14 - Water for West TexansfullSimon Freese returns to military service during World War II, serving in Europe as part of the Allied effort to confront and dismantle Germany’s industrial war-making capacity.

]]>099ca546-05ff-43fc-828a-06d8ff504723Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:04:54 GMT<p>Simon Freese returns to military service during World War II, serving in Europe as part of the Allied effort to confront and dismantle Germany’s industrial war-making capacity.</p>no00:36:11116Chapter 13 - Disarming the German War MachinefullWorld War II transforms the nation’s construction industry, and Freese and Nichols joins the massive effort to design and build military camps, industrial facilities, and other infrastructure needed for victory.

]]>2524d3e8-afbb-4a34-a710-13d2594315baThu, 17 Sep 2026 21:04:31 GMT<p>World War II transforms the nation’s construction industry, and Freese and Nichols joins the massive effort to design and build military camps, industrial facilities, and other infrastructure needed for victory.</p>no00:45:49115Chapter 12 - Building for VictoryfullAs Texas participates in federal recovery efforts, Marvin Nichols and Simon Freese take prominent roles in public works and statewide planning intended to create jobs and guide the development of Texas resources.

]]>e8b47b1c-b0a9-4099-9a3a-53040f417f0dThu, 17 Sep 2026 21:04:10 GMT<p>As Texas participates in federal recovery efforts, Marvin Nichols and Simon Freese take prominent roles in public works and statewide planning intended to create jobs and guide the development of Texas resources.</p>no00:47:39114Chapter 11 - Back from the DepressionfullThe Great Depression tests Hawley, Freese and Nichols as the firm moves from the optimism of major reservoir projects into an era of economic crisis and changing opportunities for engineers.

]]>82f5016d-186c-455b-937d-ac8388b589bdThu, 17 Sep 2026 21:03:47 GMT<p>The Great Depression tests Hawley, Freese and Nichols as the firm moves from the optimism of major reservoir projects into an era of economic crisis and changing opportunities for engineers.</p>no01:03:41113Chapter 10 - A National EmergencyfullJohn Hawley becomes involved in the long-running dispute over Chicago’s diversion of Lake Michigan water for sewage disposal, a controversy with major implications for sanitation, water rights, and the Great Lakes.

]]>66ff09f0-7170-499d-b9d7-42390634b316Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:03:28 GMT<p>John Hawley becomes involved in the long-running dispute over Chicago’s diversion of Lake Michigan water for sewage disposal, a controversy with major implications for sanitation, water rights, and the Great Lakes.</p>no00:31:05112Chapter 9 - The Chicago Lake Lowering ControversyfullWhen the Corpus Christi water-supply dam at Mathis fails in 1930, Simon Freese and Marvin Nichols rush to the site to investigate the damage and confront a major engineering crisis.

]]>a46af456-01d2-4a48-8b90-7db45bf6ce2bThu, 17 Sep 2026 21:02:52 GMT<p>When the Corpus Christi water-supply dam at Mathis fails in 1930, Simon Freese and Marvin Nichols rush to the site to investigate the damage and confront a major engineering crisis.</p>no00:24:44111Chapter 8 - The Corpus Christi Dam BreakfullMarvin C. Nichols joins Hawley and Freese, bringing construction and managerial expertise that helps expand the firm’s work on dams, water plants, sewage facilities, paving, and other projects across Texas.

]]>4a4932ea-1d9e-4965-b4da-3dcaa116d208Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:01:36 GMT<p>Marvin C. Nichols joins Hawley and Freese, bringing construction and managerial expertise that helps expand the firm’s work on dams, water plants, sewage facilities, paving, and other projects across Texas.</p>no00:32:06110Chapter 7 - Hawley, Freese and NicholsfullAfter the devastating 1922 Fort Worth flood, Hawley & Freese help develop Lakes Bridgeport and Eagle Mountain as innovative dual-purpose reservoirs for both flood control and water supply.

]]>bd83195c-00c3-4583-a851-cc434d828d75Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:53:04 GMT<p>After the devastating 1922 Fort Worth flood, Hawley &amp; Freese help develop Lakes Bridgeport and Eagle Mountain as innovative dual-purpose reservoirs for both flood control and water supply.</p>no00:38:1219Chapter 6 - Lakes Bridgeport and Eagle MountainfullSimon W. Freese joins Major Hawley as a young engineer, grows rapidly in responsibility, and ultimately becomes Hawley’s partner as the firm expands its municipal engineering practice.

]]>f824eb27-059c-4752-a857-96960641a2cbThu, 17 Sep 2026 20:52:41 GMT<p>Simon W. Freese joins Major Hawley as a young engineer, grows rapidly in responsibility, and ultimately becomes Hawley’s partner as the firm expands its municipal engineering practice.</p>no00:48:2418Chapter 5 - Hawley & FreesefullHawley joins Edward E. Sands in a partnership focused on sewage treatment, including pioneering work to improve sanitation and clean up the Trinity River at Fort Worth.

]]>8ba2ada2-59b6-4fbf-ac28-9452123b8bccThu, 17 Sep 2026 20:52:10 GMT<p>Hawley joins Edward E. Sands in a partnership focused on sewage treatment, including pioneering work to improve sanitation and clean up the Trinity River at Fort Worth.</p>no00:23:0117Chapter 4 - Hawley & Sands fullDuring World War I, Major John Hawley serves with the American Expeditionary Force and tackles the urgent problem of supplying water to American troops and facilities in France.

]]>77ad2a89-1dd8-4065-b544-98984b4c9d92Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:51:04 GMT<p>During World War I, Major John Hawley serves with the American Expeditionary Force and tackles the urgent problem of supplying water to American troops and facilities in France.</p>no00:32:5416Chapter 3 - The Water Supply of Saint-Nazaire, FrancefullDallas and Fort Worth confront the challenge of securing dependable, safe water supplies, leading to the development of White Rock Lake and Lake Worth.

]]>f73e3252-2397-47bc-a1d5-e73eb2e674e2Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:50:28 GMT<p>Dallas and Fort Worth confront the challenge of securing dependable, safe water supplies, leading to the development of White Rock Lake and Lake Worth.</p>no00:34:3215Chapter 2 - White Rock and Lake WorthfullThe early life and career of John B. Hawley, whose passion for science and civil engineering led him to Fort Worth and laid the foundation for the firm that became Freese and Nichols.

]]>d8814f46-43de-4939-8311-edb899f1b4a4Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:50:00 GMT<p>The early life and career of John B. Hawley, whose passion for science and civil engineering led him to Fort Worth and laid the foundation for the firm that became Freese and Nichols.</p>no00:40:0314Chapter 1 - John B. Hawley, Engineer-ScientistfullA look at the scientific discoveries that revealed how contaminated water spreads disease and the new responsibility engineers assumed for protecting public health through safe water supplies, sanitation, and wastewater treatment.

]]>9a1246e3-0358-49b7-a47c-9454f916d422Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:49:27 GMT<p>A look at the scientific discoveries that revealed how contaminated water spreads disease and the new responsibility engineers assumed for protecting public health through safe water supplies, sanitation, and wastewater treatment.</p>no00:19:2113IntroductionfullAn overview of the book’s purpose, scope, and approach, tracing a century of Freese and Nichols’ work alongside the broader development of civil, water, sanitary, transportation, and environmental engineering in Texas and beyond.

]]>0f1e8dc5-1c89-4d55-bf94-305a89920265Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:48:58 GMT<p>An overview of the book’s purpose, scope, and approach, tracing a century of Freese and Nichols’ work alongside the broader development of civil, water, sanitary, transportation, and environmental engineering in Texas and beyond.</p>no00:10:2312PrefacefullOpening credits for A Century in the Works: 100 Years of Progress in Civil and Environmental Engineering, by Simon W. Freese, P.E., and D. L. Sizemore.

]]>61a69601-a9bf-4c51-b7d3-ec2b485aec7dThu, 17 Sep 2026 20:48:22 GMT<p>Opening credits for <i>A Century in the Works: 100 Years of Progress in Civil and Environmental Engineering</i>, by Simon W. Freese, P.E., and D. L. Sizemore.</p>no00:00:5811Titlefull