Eugene C. Lewis

Eugene C. Lewis was born on June 21, 1845. His father was the manager of the Cumberland Iron Works. Lewis was educated at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, enrolling in 1862, during the American Civil War.

Lewis began his career as the president of Sycamore Mills in Cheatham County, Tennessee. He also designed at least two bridges over Sycamore Creek in Nashville. Additionally, he was the honorary president of the American Association of Engineers.

Lewis joined the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway as an industrial engineer. He was elected to its board of directors in 1896, and he served as its chairman from 1900 to 1917.

Lewis was also the first vice president of the Nashville Art Association and the Park Commission for the City of Nashville. In 1916, a lawsuit showed he had hired his son, his brother, his niece, his second nephew and the latter's son to the park commission.

Lewis helped develop Shelby Park and Centennial Park. In particular, he was a strong supporter of the construction of Parthenon. He was also the director-general of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Additionally, Lewis helped develop Union Station.

On April 19, 1909, Lewis conducted the dedication of the Sam Davis Statue outside the Tennessee State Capitol.

Grave of Major Eugene C. Lewis, Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Plaque on mausoleum.

Lewis died on February 13, 1917 in Nashville. He was buried in a mausoleum shaped like an Egyptian pyramid, with two sphinxes, at the Mount Olivet Cemetery.