History -- Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

/ /

Historical Content

Mission of the Office of History

The mission of the Office of History is to collect, document, interpret, disseminate, and preserve the history and heritage of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The office accomplishes its mission through research and writing, a field history program, an oral history program, an extensive research collection, and a historic artifact collection.
history.office@usace.army.mil

Other Resources

The HQ/HECSA Library has compiled a library guide with several other resources on USACE history.

Featured Publication

Cover of Engineering Research history book

Engineering Research is the second volume in The History of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Series, and it focuses on the history of research and development within the Corps of Engineers between 1802 and 2022. It traces the evolution of R&D generally and within the Corps, and the book explores how USACE innovations met the expanding needs of a growing nation. The history reaches back to 1802 and includes noteworthy events such as the establishment of the first USACE laboratory in 1929 to the modern-day successors within the Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg.

Recent Publication

Civil Works for the Public Good is the first volume in The History of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Series, and it focuses on the Corps' civil works during the Great Depression. It chronicles the participation of this agency and its personnel in the federal response to the economic crisis of the 1930s in the form of a nationwide public works relief program. It is illustrated with vintage photographs, most of which are available through the USACE Digital Library. The history reveals the remarkable ability of this organization to respond to diverse challenges and to adapt to new circumstances.

USACE & USA 250th

The Office of History, HQUSACE is proud to announce the publication of The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: An Illustrated History, 1775–2025. This new edition highlights the people, missions, and engineering achievements that have defined the Corps of Engineers’ legacy and continue to shape our future. Richly illustrated with historical photographs, maps, artwork, and documents, the book offers a vivid and accessible overview of how the Corps has shaped our nation across two and a half centuries.

During summer 2026, printed copies of the new history were distributed to division and district commanders as well as the directors of centers and labs. A digital version of The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: An Illustrated History, 1775–2025 is available at the USACE Digital Library in the “Histories” section.

History Series

The USACE Office of History has published four volumes in the new History series, available in print or on the USACE Digital Library.

Cover of the Civil Works Public Good book

Cover of the Shield for the Republic book

Commemoration

On September 11, 2001, terrorists launched attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C. A fourth hijacked airliner crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. All in all, the acts had killed nearly 3,000 people and changed the nation. Twenty-five years later, the National Museum of the U.S. Army has mounted an exhibit to remember the role played by the Army, and especially the Corps of Engineers, in the response and recovery efforts that followed.

USACE History Preserved

A large photograph collection at Pittsburgh District preserves and illustrates decades of USACE history and dedication to water resources improvements in the region.

Troy Lock and Dam and Preserved Historical Resources. Read a brief history of the dam project and the historical materials—photos, negatives, tools, and more—preserved by the USACE staff in Troy for more than 100 years.

Featured Photos - Washington Southwest Waterfront

A view of two yacht club buildings on the Washington Channel waterfront. On the left is the two-story Capital Yacht Club, and to its right is a smaller, arched brick building for the Powell Yacht Club, with the Municipal Market partially visible on the far right. — Washington Channel and Southwest Waterfront

See More

A high-angle aerial view of the waterfront with numbered markers indicating: (4) a boat basin, (5) a large warehouse, (6) a parking area, and (7) piers. The Municipal Fish Market is clearly visible. Also visible are the businesses: National City Dairy Co.; General Poultry Co.; C. Engels Sons; Columbia Hotel Supply Co.; National Bank of Washington; an Esso gas station; and a luncheonette serving Wilkins Coffee. — Washington Channel and Southwest Waterfront

See More

The pier and adjacent headhouse rise above the water, with scaffolding, construction materials, and shoreline structures visible. Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Office of the District Engineer, Washington District, First and Douglas Streets, N.W., Washington. — Washington Channel and Southwest Waterfront

See More

Workers and concrete trucks actively pouring concrete onto the deck slab, with wheelbarrows and reinforcing steel visible. — Washington Channel and Southwest Waterfront

See More

A wide view of the start of construction for Commercial Pier No. 5. Several cars from the 1930s and 40s are parked in the foreground. A large crane on a barge is operating in the channel. — Washington Channel and Southwest Waterfront

See More

A high-altitude aerial view of the Washington Channel. The Washington Monument and the Federal Triangle are clearly visible. In the channel, a construction barge is visible, and many boat slips are empty, indicating ongoing construction. — Washington Channel and Southwest Waterfront

See More

A street-level perspective of the long, brick Commission House Market building, part of the Potomac Freight Terminal. Numerous 1930s-era trucks are parked in front of the building's large arched loading bays. Angelo's Fruit Stand and Central Restaurant on the right. Some of the building's tenants are listed across the top. — Washington Channel and Southwest Waterfront

See More

An aerial oblique photograph of a harbor and adjacent city. The left side shows a dense urban grid of streets and buildings; the right side features a broad roadway, tree-lined open land, and waterfront piers with numerous boats. The image documents overall conditions along the Potomac/Anacostia waterfront in 1926. — Washington Channel and Southwest Waterfront

See More

An aerial view showing two large passenger steamships docked at the waterfront. The ship at marker (18) is smaller than the large multi-deck steamer at marker (22). Numbered markers from (16) to (22). Businesses shown include: Capital Boat Works; Baltimore and Virginia Steamboat Co.; Steamer for Mt. Vernon. Vessels include: E. Madison Hall; ship of the N&W Line to Va. Seashore (Autos $3.00). Billboard posters advertise: NuGrape; Wonder Bread; tomato juice; Gulf gasoline. — Washington Channel and Southwest Waterfront

See More

Current Exhibit

Remembering the Great War. See the on-line version of an exhibit on the history of Army Engineer involvement
in The War to End All Wars, World War I, 1917-1918.

Wilmington District History

This update to the history of the Wilmington District covers the 40 years between 1983 and 2023. This book takes a look at how the district has continued to deliver engineering solutions to secure the nation, energize the economy, and reduce disaster risk. It also focuses on the development of environmental programs and the return of significant military construction to the district’s responsibilities in the early 2000s.

Hurricane Maria Response

Following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017, USACE responded. And although the Corps assisted with recovery efforts in several ways, this new book focuses on the story of the historic response to the electrical problems caused by the storm in Puerto Rico. It describes the enormous challenges and how the talented and passionate people of the Corps always step up to engineer solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges, especially in times of crisis. The innovation, hard work, and expertise of dedicated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel was instrumental in turning the lights back on in Puerto Rico.

Huntington District History

One of the latest field histories to be published is that of the Huntington District in West Virginia. The book recounts the history of the district from 1974 to 2021 and its work on waterway development, military construction, and emergency management in the Ohio River valley and elsewhere

Destruction Imminent

Destruction Imminent is the second of a three-volume history series on the USACE emergency operations mission. This volume begins with the Federal Disaster Relief Act of 1950, which created a permanent and continuous mechanism for federal disaster response, and continues through the establishment of FEMA in April 1979 and the centralization of the nation’s emergency functions. It also chronicles USACE responses to natural and manmade disasters during this period.

Los Angeles District History

Book cover of the history of the Los Angeles District

Another recently published field history is that of the Los Angeles District. The book focuses on the latest fifty years of history of the district, from 1966 to 2016, and its evolution during that time frame. It touches on the work undertaken by the district in the fields of civil works, military construction, emergency response, global deployment, and other mission areas.

Oral History Guides

The Oral History Guide (in standard and short versions) is a guide to the theory and practice of oral history that provides USACE employees who are planning an oral history program with some historical background and practical advice. Available on-line as PDF or eBook versions. To request print copies, use the Contact Us feature at the bottom of the webpage and choose History as the recipient.