Our Story
1920s
1926
Humble Beginnings
DGL began in 1926 as a one-man operation. Alexander Forster was joined in the following year by former coworkers from the American Bridge Company. This led to an early focus in structural engineering.
Humble Beginnings - Forster Wernert & Taylor
1928
Willies Overland Forge Shop
DGL's first project completed for the Willys-Overland Company, a predecessor to the Jeep brand, involved improvements to their forge shop.
Willies Overland Forge Shop
1927
Our First DOT Project
DGL completed its first Department of Transportation project when it was contracted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to design a bridge.
Our First DOT Project
1927
Libbey Stadium
DGL completed design of the Libbey High School stadium in 1927, the first of many stadiums the company would design.
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1928
Facility Design Work Begins
Consolidated Paper Co. was one of our firm's first industrial clients. DGL supported the company as they scaled and in later decades would modernize much of its facility.
1926
The Maumee Perrysburg Bridge
The Maumee Perrysburg Bridge was one of our firm's first projects. The gentleman standing to the left was one of our first partners.
1930s
1937
Coca-Cola Bottling Company Facility
Our glass industry specialization led to the completion of our first project for The Coca-Cola Bottling Company, which included their distribution and bottling plant located in Toledo, Ohio.
1933
Straights of Mackinac Bridge Preliminary Planning
Preliminary work was completed for the Straights of Mackinac Bridge, which was later constructed in 1957 (with a modified design).
Straights of Mackinac Bridge
1936
Glass Plant Specialization
With an early niche completing projects for various glass companies, DGL was hired to complete Libbey-Owens-Ford's new Toledo, Ohio plant.
1931
Anthony Wayne Bridge
As a subconsultant, DGL completed work on the Anthony Wayne Bridge, supporting the project's successful completion.
1932
Koerbor Brewing
Following the repeal of prohibition, DGL assisted with the expansion of the Koerbor Brewing Company in downtown Toledo, Ohio. This marked our firm's first brewery project. Today the facility is home to the Maumee Bay Brewing Company.
1936
Expanding Services
DGL added mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and surveying services in the 1930s. While we no longer offer mechanical or electrical engineering in-house, we are well known for our survey work to this day.
Expanding Services
1940s
1941
Supporting WWII Efforts
Subcontracted by DiVilbliss, DGL supported the retooling of facilities for wartime efforts. Notably including Allis Chalmers, Westinghouse Electric, Radio Corp. of America, A.C. Spark Plug, Toledo Scale, White Truck, Remington Rand, and many others.
WWII Efforts
1942
Surface Combustion Relationship
DGL formed a lasting relationship with Surface Combustion during the decade as we teamed on various projects including DGL's involvement with design of their Toledo facility.
1945
First Traffic/Safety Project
DGL completed an accident survey at the intersection of Front & Main, in Toledo, Ohio. This marked our firm's first Traffic & Safety engineering project.
1945
Jeep Plant Before and After War
When Willys-Overland Co. transitioned from manufacturing military vehicles to producing civilian automobiles, DGL continued to support the expansion of their production capabilities. The Jeep and Willys Sedan are pictured side-by-side at their Toledo factory.
1945
GI Bill Produces Future Engineers
Many future engineers attended school under the new GI (Government Issue) Bill, including Benjamin Dansard, who served in the US Navy. In later years, Gary Long followed the same path, having served in the US Army. They are remembered today by the "D" and "L" in DGL.
1947
Designing International Glass Plants
The first of several glass plants designed on international soil was completed for the Cervecia Moctezuma Bottling Plant in Orizaba, Mexico. DGL designed the plant (excluding equipment) under a contract with the Toledo Engineering Company.
1950s
1959
DGL Subsidiary Caltec Opens
Caltec, Inc. opened for business, equipped with an IBM G-15 computer, which cost as much as DGL’s new headquarters. DGL became the first business in northwest Ohio to harness the power of electronic computational power.
DGL Subsidiary Caltec Opens
1959
The Interstate Highway System
DGL helped to shape transportation in the region, including the relocation of US-2 from Port Clinton to Huron, the relocation of US-23 from US-20 in Ohio to Dundee, Michigan, and a section of the new I-75 "Seaway Freeway" from Cygnet to Bowling Green, Ohio.
1955
New Office
To support our growth, DGL designed a cutting-edge building on Sylvania Avenue in Toledo, Ohio. Our new home gained recognition, earning features in national architecture publications for implementation of modern amenities.
1956
Port Authority of Toledo
Following the establishment of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority (TLCPA) in 1955, DGL’s partnership began in 1956 with work on the Presque Isle expansion as well as various other projects with the TLCPA throughout the decade.
Port Authority of Toledo
1952
Ohio Turnpike Constructed
As one of the original designers selected by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, DGL was responsible for the design of a section of the Turnpike in Wood County, including both the mainline corridor and interchange. This landmark project helped establish DGL as a regional leader in transportation engineering.
1952
Drive-In Theatres Specialization
Automotive culture changed how Americans lived. Finding a unique niche, DGL supported numerous drive-in theatre locations in Ohio and neighboring states. DGL’s services ranged from full design to amenity improvements such as in-car speakers and heaters.
1960s
1960
Anthony Wayne Bridge Rehabilitation
After working as a subconsultant on the Anthony Wayne Bridge's design team some 30 years earlier, DGL led the rehabilitation and modernization of the bridge in the early 1960s.
1960
Public and Religious Buildings
DGL's architecture department led a host of municipal, educational, library, and religious projects. We are proud their architectural designs are still facilitating governance, learning, research, and worship across our region to this day.
1968
University Projects
Many universities embraced modernist designs reflecting a new age of innovation. Notably, DGL completed the design of Bowling Green State University’s new computer center, helping create Ohio's first dedicated Computer Science Department.
University Projects
1960
Caltec Hits its Stride
Caltec, Inc. supported regional firms, including Lathrop Corp. by providing computerized Critical Path Method (CPM) models to improve project timelines and support other novel ventures, like optimizing a bologna recipe to create a stable pricing model.
1960
Parks and Recreation Work
Parks and recreation became a major niche at our firm with multiple projects completed for outdoor leisure activities, such as numerous pleasure craft marinas and boat launches for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
1961
Fall-Out Shelter Survey
With the fear of nuclear war, DGL was awarded a United States Army contract to conduct a fallout shelter survey in eight northwestern Ohio counties, including Fulton, Defiance, Henry, Paulding, Van Wert, Williams, Putnam, and Allen.
1970s
1976
Major Milestones
At the time of DGL's 50th anniversary, the firm had completed the design of more than 3,000 buildings and bridges, and over 200 miles of roadway.
Major Milestones
1976
50 Year Anniversary
DGL celebrated 50 years in business during America's Bicentennial. In celebration, the partners published a position paper in support of a downtown renaissance in Toledo. Their predictions are still being reaffirmed 50 years later.
1973
Final In-House Architecture Project
The Juvenile Court Center at the Wood County Courthouse was recorded as DGL’s last in-house architectural project. Since then, DGL has partnered with architectural firms to successfully deliver countless projects.
Final In-House Architecture Project
1977
Dansard Grohnke Long
The firm was renamed Dansard, Grohnke, and Long, Limited to reflect the new partnership. To this day, DGL resembles the firm they operated with a focus on civil engineering, surveying, and construction management services.
1974
Final Glass Plant Design
Our final glass plant site design project was a float glass manufacturing facility in Venezuela, completed in collaboration with Toledo Engineering Co., a globally recognized leader in glass plant engineering and construction.
Final Glass Plant Design
1970
Caltec Hits 5,000 Projects
By the 1970s, Caltec, Inc. had completed more than 5,000 projects. In the 1980s, DGL became an early adopter of personal computers, ushering in a new era of computational capability and bringing the standalone role of Caltec to a close.
1980s
1985
Desktop Computing
Just as we embraced computer technology two decades earlier, our firm became an early adopter of desktop computers.
1980
Expansion, Rehabilitation, and Optimization
As infrastructure constructed during the United States’ postwar “build everything” era began to age, civil engineering firms adapted to meet the evolving needs of their clients. During this period, demand for bridge inspection services increased dramatically.
1983
Future Leaders Welcomed
Scot Morehouse (1983), Rick McGuckin (1985), and Laurie Adams (1986) joined the firm. Each of them would go on to become partners.
Future Leaders Welcomed
1982
The Double Dip Recession
The early 1980s were marked by a weak economy and delayed or cancelled private projects.
The Double Dip Recession
1989
New Kind of Interchange
Our largest roadway project of the decade, the I-75 and US-6 interchange was designed and constructed utilizing a modified diamond design.
1982
Resort and Campus Projects
Many site engineering projects shared the common theme of being resort or campus-based, including the Medical College of Ohio Toledo Campus, Toledo Festival Marketplace, Maumee Bay State Park, and more.
1990s
1999
Ownership Transition
Ken Ducat and Scot Morehouse became partners upon Ben Danard’s retirement. Rick McGuckin and Laurie Adams followed with Russ Grohnke’s retirement. Future partners Ahmed Hamid and Josh O’Neil joined the firm as newly minted engineers.
1997
OTIC Third Lane Widening
Decades after DGL helped design the Ohio Turnpike, our firm began construction administration and inspection of the 3rd lane widening project.
OTIC Third Lane Widening
1990
Emerging Priorities
A growing emphasis on responsible, long-term development led to sustainability and community impact becoming top priorities for clients.
Emerging Priorities
1990
Intelligent Transportation Systems
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) were an emerging technology, and during the adoption of traffic cameras, coordinated signals, and electronic signage, DGL solidified its reputation as a leader in traffic and safety engineering in Ohio.
1991
ISTEA
The passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) marked a pivotal change, redefining federal transportation priorities through its emphasis on context-sensitive design, multimodal planning, and community engagement.
ISTEA
1996
Large Scale Transportation Design Projects
In the 1990s, our largest design contracts included the 30-mile ALL/HAN/WYA-30/30/30 Preliminary Alternatives Study, CR 99 – I-75 Connector, numerous widening projects in Sylvania, and the Millard Avenue bridge project.
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2000s
2000
2D Drafting to 3D Modeling
The 2000s brought about a new way for engineers to work. Adopting fully digital workflows across our disciplines further improved the work we provided our clients.
2D Drafting to 3D Modeling
2000
The Lifestyle Center
The emergence of lifestyle center development created new opportunities. DGL played an important role in the design of numerous components for the Levis Commons Development, serving the Dillin Corporation.
2008
Statewide SRTS and Safety Studies Contracts
DGL led the 2007 Safe Routes to School and 2008 Safety Studies statewide task order projects for ODOT, creating opportunities to help make travel safer for all users across the state.
2008
Renewed Site Engineering Focus
A renewed focus on site design projects helped DGL weather the great depression and brought new work including numerous projects with the Toledo Zoo and projects with Midwest Terminals along with several other industrial clients.
2004
Fort to Port
Teaming with local firms, the Mannik & Smith Group and Poggemeyer Design Group, we each completed sections of the Fort to Port Project with DGL's length of roadway stretching from Napoleon to Maumee.
2006
Gary Long Steps Down
We owe a debt of gratitude to the original D-G-L (Ben Dansard, Russ Grohnke, and Gary Long) for their inspiration and leadership as we took on growth and expansion in a new decade. Gary stepped down in 2006 and would officially retire in 2012.
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Sources Cited
Libbey High School stadium, Toledo, Ohio - Toledo Lucas County Public Library Digital Collections
Anthony Wayne Memorial Bridge, Toledo, Ohio, 1930 - Toledo Lucas County Public Library Digital Collections
Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Toledo, Ohio [approximately 1938] - Toledo Lucas County Public Library Digital Collections
Jeeps and Willys Sedans coming off the assembly line, Toledo, Ohio, 1940s - Toledo Lucas County Public Library Digital Collections
Surface Combustion Corporation, Toledo, Ohio [approximately 1940] - Toledo Lucas County Public Library Digital Collections