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In early 1915, Major Thomas H. Allen, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, opened the consulting engineering firm, Thomas H. Allen, Consulting Engineer, in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Robert H. Hoshall joined this firm in 1920 and became a partner in 1924.
Much of the firm’s early work was in the design of mechanical and electrical systems for buildings in Memphis. However, the 1920’s saw the engineering practice move into the public works arena, and the firm became a regional engineering firm. It was during these years that many municipalities surrounding Memphis became clients. Design of their water, sewer and street systems make up the early public work projects of the firm.
The firm grew in the early 1930's with the increase in the public works projects of the firm. In 1935, the establishment of the Rural Electrification and the REA further expanded the company's field of service. During this period, Thomas H. Allen, Consulting Engineer became engineer for numerous municipal electric systems and rural electric cooperatives in Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Mississippi.
By 1930, although the firm continued to operate under
his name, Major Allen no longer had an active part in
its operation. In 1940, he turned over his interest in
the firm to his son Lorin B. Allen and Robert Hoshall,
and the company name was changed to Allen & Hoshall
Consulting Engineers.
During World War II, public works engineering projects
were few because the nation’s resources were dedicated
to the all-out war effort. For its part in this great
struggle, Allen & Hoshall designed numerous aviation
facilities in the Mid-South. The firm’s wartime
designs also involved major military bases such as Fort
Campbell Flying Field, Kentucky, and Smyrna Flying Field,
Tennessee.
Following World War II, engineering work literally boomed as private facilities and public works systems which had not been properly maintained during the war were improved and expanded. The post-war era (1946-1960) brought steady growth to Allen & Hoshall. The electric utility department designed transmission lines, substations and distribution facilities throughout the Southeast.
At the same time, the civil engineering department designed
water and sewer systems throughout the Mid-South. Other
civil activities involved design and construction of roads
and streets, grading, railroads, natural gas transmission
lines, and distribution mains. The firm’s building
systems work grew, and local and national industries joined
the client list that included the federal government,
state and local governments, hospitals, banks and other
commercial entities, educational facilities and churches.
In the early 1960’s, the firm’s diverse
experience led to its largest engineering project-design
of the modern, jet-age airfield and terminal at Memphis
International Airport.
Allen & Hoshall grew throughout the 70’s and 80’s and offered expanded capabilities. Structural engineering was added in 1970. When architecture was added in 1977, Allen & Hoshall Consulting Engineers became Allen & Hoshall, Engineers-Architects-Consultants. Known as engineers since 1915, architects joined the staff to provide architectural design on the firm’s engineering projects. With the 1980’s came the addition of other specialties including traffic and transportation engineering, land planning, and landscape architecture.
During the 1990’s, Allen & Hoshall’s practice expanded internationally including projects in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Program management became the latest specialty addition providing design oversight and construction management services.
The new millennium brought resurgence in energy awareness. Allen & Hoshall’s thirty years of experience in energy analysis and engineering is utilized by the nations leading energy service contractors and utility systems. Challenges to the aviation industry are being met by Allen & Hoshall’s extensive experience in aviation engineering and design.
Allen & Hoshall today is an ENR “Top 500” firm providing services to diverse client types. We appreciate the continued support of our clients and look forward to sustained relationship in the future. We are dedicated to our clients. |
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