John W. Bowser

Who was John W. Bowser?

John W. Bowser was a Canadian construction engineer most notably the project construction superintendent for the Empire State Building.

Bowser was born in Whitchurch township, Ontario, Canada, present day Aurora in 1892. He left home at age 11, returning to the Toronto area at age 15, then working on several construction jobs including a tunnel to connect Eaton's store with the Annex, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Bank of Toronto building. Hired by an American firm, he was sent to Tokyo. Later, he was responsible for demolition of old Madison Square Gardens, and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Bowser returned to Canada after completing the Empire State Building ahead of schedule, thereafter remaining active in construction, and overseeing ship building during World War II. The construction of Eaton Hall, today part of Seneca College was one project.

Buried in Aurora, Ontario his grave notably has a 10-foot-high replica of the Empire State Building as a marker.

John Bowser Crescent in Newmarket, Ontario is named for him.