William Mulholland

Date of Birth: September 11, 1855

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: July 22, 1935

Biography

William Mulholland was an eminent Irish-American civil engineer, born on September 11, 1855, in Belfast, Ireland. Immigrating to the United States in 1877, Mulholland initially worked in various menial jobs before finding his calling in water engineering. He is best known for his work in Los Angeles, where he played a pivotal role in designing and overseeing the construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. This monumental project, completed in 1913, was instrumental in transforming Los Angeles from a small town into a burgeoning metropolis by providing a reliable water supply. Mulholland’s career was marked by both great achievements and significant controversies. Despite his significant contributions to the growth of Los Angeles, his legacy is also marred by the catastrophic failure of the St. Francis Dam in 1928, which resulted in the loss of over 400 lives and ended his career. William Mulholland passed away on July 22, 1935, in Los Angeles, California.

5 Interesting Facts about William Mulholland

1. William Mulholland was largely self-taught and had little formal education in engineering.

2. The Los Angeles Aqueduct, which he designed, spans approximately 233 miles.

3. Mulholland Drive, a famous road in Los Angeles, is named in his honor.

4. He began his career as a ditch cleaner for the Los Angeles Water Company before rising to Chief Engineer.

5. The failure of the St. Francis Dam is considered one of the worst civil engineering disasters in American history.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Mulholland

1. “If you don’t get the water, you won’t need it.”

2. “There it is. Take it.”

3. “I envy those who have not yet seen the West.”

4. “I have been too long in this business to be flurried by accidents.”

5. “The chief function of the engineer is to make things as simple as possible.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

William Mulholland’s net worth was not well-documented, but his highest net worth was likely modest compared to modern standards, as his career was in public service.