They have been called “crazy men in a crazy industry” who gamble their fortunes and reputations against the challenges they meet. Often working underground, they change the face of the earth, building tunnels, dams, highways and bridges. They are defined as heavy construction workers.

In October 1936, a small group of these men who had worked together between 1914 and 1919 on projects under Newark Bay and on the waterfront of Port Newark had a reunion in Jersey City. They had such a wonderful time reminiscing about their experiences and discussing their work that they were inspired to form a permanent organization. On that autumn evening, what was to become the most prestigious heavy construction organization the world was born.

A special committee met in 1937 to set up the guidelines. The Moles was selected as an appropriate name, membership would include all members of the engineering and construction professions and those supplying materials to the field, and the venue would be moved to New York City. In January 1938, the 32 original members and their guests attended the first Moles dinner. A fraternal spirit was created that has become a hallmark of the group.

The year 1941 marked the creation of an esteemed awards program that annually recognizes outstanding achievements in heavy construction by two men – one a Moles member and one a non member. The first member recipient was John S. McDonald, cited for his enterprise and courage in building the Queens Midtown Tunnel. The first non-member to be honored was Robert Moses, a master builder who was the guiding force in the creation of the system of recreational areas, parkways, bridges and highways of Greater New York. In 1950, the non member was former president Herbert Hoover, who was labeled the “Grand Old Mole” for his engineering expertise. At the same dinner, Dwight D. Eisenhower was the Principal Speaker and was presented with Honorary Membership.

The tradition of presenting two awards each year to outstanding construction men has continued to this day at the Annual Awards Dinner held each year in New York City on the last Wednesday of January. The giants of the U.S. construction industry have been and continue to be honored. Such men as Stephen Bechtel, Harry W. Morrison, Peter Kiewit, Lou Perini and Guy F. Atkinson were among the earlier recipients. In 2005, Kenneth E. Stinson of Peter Kiewit Son’s, Inc, and Matthew M. Walsh of the Walsh Group were the honorees.

The tradition of having a Principal Speaker has also continued. G. Wayne Clough, President of Georgia Institute of Technology was the 2005 Speaker. Earlier speakers included Richard M. Nixon, House Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill, New York City Mayor Edward Koch and New York State Governor Mario M. Cuomo.

In 1938, another traditional event was established – The Annual Clambake. This event has taken place for over 50 years on the first Tuesday of August at the New York Athletic Club summer facility located at Travers Island, Pelham Manor, New York.

In 1956, The Moles inaugurated still another event, the Annual Student’s Day. In April of each year, over 200 civil engineering students and faculty members from twenty colleges and universities within a distance of approximately 150 miles of New York City come together and meet at a construction site. After breakfast, and a briefing of the work to be seen, the students are provided with a hard hat and then embark on a site tour escorted by members of The Moles. All then return to the briefing point to enjoy lunch.