Jacob Lott Ludlow was born on this day in 1862, in New Jersey, to Captain Samuel and Nancy Johnson Ludlow.
He attended school at Spring Lake and Freehold, New Jersey. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1885 from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. He earned his master of science degree in 1890.
Ludlow came to Winston-Salem after his graduation in 1888. He set up his civil engineering practice, which was a new field, particularly as it related to municipal engineering. One of his first projects was the installation of a sanitary sewage system in Raleigh. This was the first of many cities and states that made use of Ludlow’s engineering expertise and experience.
Ludlow was president of the Board of Trade for six years and during that time he inaugurated several projects, some of which dealt with public health awareness. He was also an advocate for the city’s public water and sewage system, and was in favor of paving roads and certain public places. He designed the West End section of town, following the contour of the land.
He established an engineering firm in 1919, called Ludlow Engineers. The firm was an aggregation of highly specialized civil, municipal, and industrial engineers. Colonel Ludlow led the organization and Winston-Salem was the home base, with work done throughout the South. Ludlow had recently returned from spending two years in Government Service. He headed the Ludlow Engineers organization as consulting engineer and general manager, with each department under his direct supervision.
Ludlow was supervising sanitary engineer during the construction of Camp Green during World War I. He served with the rank of colonel and as chief of engineers with the North Carolina National Guard.
Ludlow was involved with many professional and social organizations. He was a member of the Rotary Club and First Presbyterian Church. Ludlow married Myra Hunt in 1887. He passed away in 1930.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
