HISTORY

Alvord, Burdick & Howson (AB&H) has a tradition-rich history dating back more than 100 years. The firm's story began when John W. Alvord moved from the east coast to Chicago in the 1870s. Mr. Alvord was selected as Chief Engineer of the Department of Surveys and Grades for the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition (often known as the "Chicago World's Fair"), a landmark event in American history and culture. Mr. Alvord continued his engineering work, notably in the water area, and linked with Charles B. Burdick in 1902 to form Alvord & Burdick in Chicago.

The company's purpose, just as it is today, was to provide consulting services for water and wastewater systems. One of Mr. Burdick's landmark projects was the hydraulic and lighting display design of Chicago's Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. In 1908, Louis R. Howson joined the firm. One of his earliest projects was laying out sewer and water systems for a new city at Lake Michigan's southern end--Gary, Indiana. In 1922, Mr. Howson became a full partner and the firm's name changed to Alvord, Burdick & Howson.

AB&H has been involved with leading water technologies since its inception. In 1917, AB&H wrote a report on the use of ozone in the treatment of potable water. In the 1940s, they were pioneers in the design of split level settling basins, the technology on which plate settlers were developed.  AB&H has been involved in the design of most of the water plants along the west shore of Lake Michigan, from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Gary, Indiana, including Chicago's Jardine Water Purification Plant, which was the world's largest water filtration facility when it opened in 1964. AB&H was tapped in the 1980s for a $380 million project to supply Lake Michigan water to 23 communities in DuPage County. The project received an Engineering Excellence award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois.

AB&H has a long history of active participation in professional organizations. Three of the firm's principals served as president of the American Water Works Association - Mr. Alvord in 1910, Mr. Howson in 1941 and William H. Richardson in 1984. In 1916, Mr. Alvord created the Western Society of Engineers Washington Award. AB&H endowed the annual award conferred on an engineer "whose professional attainments have advanced the welfare of all peoples." Recipients have included Herbert Hoover, Henry Ford, and Neil Armstrong.