Below is the text to a short article on Richmond architects that appeared in the February 1901 issue of the Architects and Builders Journal. The journal was published in Baltimore between 1899 and 1908. It was a monthly periodical subtitled A Monthly Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of Building, Architecture, & Real Estate and was printed by The Globe Publishing and Printing Co. If focused primarily on architecture in Maryland but also had coverage of the District of Columbia, Virginia, and other regional areas.
The Library of Virginia has the journal on microfilm. They filmed it from a copy held at the Library of Congress - thanks to a request by Tom Ray, a former librarian at the LVA. I was sent a digital scan of a photocopy of the article by a librarian at the Valentine Museum. The photocopy is from the Valentine's subject folder on Richmond architects. I present the text here so others can easily access it.
Architecture in Richmond, Va.
Architecture in Richmond has more of history, than variety, but is certainly one hundred and fifty years old, for it has been that long since Thomas Jefferson built the present state capitol; one of the finest types of Ionic architecture in the country. That the art in the first century of the city's growth did not die with Mr. Jefferson, is exemplified in the Virginia Medical College, one of the purest types of Egyptian architecture of modern construction, and the Monumental Church, a striking picture, of unique and simple design, and many noble residences of general Colonial style, which rival in beauty and comfort the more pretentious and less gloomy modern dwellings. The modern architecture of Richmond may be said to date back a quarter of a century, for it is within that time that the most imposing structures of this city have been created and they stand as enduring monuments to architects still in the prime of their usefulness.
Capt. M. J. Dimmock, the dean of the architects here, has been peculiarly happy in his contributions to the beauty and utility of the imperishable art, in a place where conservatism has held genius bound for many years in bonds of red brick, and gable roofs. Capt. Dimmock has been the designer and supervisor of the erection of a large number of buildings both public and private. He threw down the sabre at the close of four years service in the Confederate cavalry to take up the pencil and rule, and the very best types of architecture in Richmond are monuments of his genius. Some of these are the Chamber of Commerce, Grove Avenue Church, Hollywood Mortuary Chapel, the all native stone residence of W. H. Jones and scores of other business and residence houses.
The office of William C. West is the oldest architectural establishment in the city, the mantle of the late Albert L. West, one of the ablest men in creative design in the south, having fallen on the son. In the few years since his father's death he has drawn and supervised the construction of a large number of bank, school, church, business buildings and residences in Virginia and North Carolina.
Albert F. Huntt, one of the leading men in his profession in the South, graduated from the Pennsylvania Military Academy both as engineer and architect, and has executed much handsome work. Recently he has designed and planned extensive ware-houses for the American Tobacco Company here, in North Carolina, Oswego, N. Y., Madison, Wis., and the Winnie Davis Memorial School at Luray, Va. A magnificent Indian Bungalow on James River for Mrs. Bullock of Philadelphia is one of his latest productions.
D. Wiley Anderson, a resident of Albemarle county, Va has been a resident of Richmond for ten years and in that time has taken front rank with the designers and originators in architectural circles. He owes his position to natural ability and close personal study and his skill and originality are pictured in many of the handsomest structures in this city.
Carl C. Ruehrmund, is a native of Berlin, Germany and secured his technical knowledge in the Royal Academy in that city and after graduation superintended the erection of several works for his own government. He came to this country in 1881 and was employed in the bureau of architecture of the National Government at Washington, D. C. Being sent to Richmond to remodel the Post Office building he liked the place and settled here. He is admittedly an accomplished architect, as the Henrico County court-house, the state hospital at Williamsburg, Va. and other artistic and substantial creations of his testify.
Benjamin West Poindexter after fifteen years experience in the best architects offices, set up in business for himself in 1899. He designed Union Station Methodist Church, one of the largest church buildings in the state and considered one of the best church designs in Virginia. He has done much other creditable work in the limited time he has been in business.
The firm of Noland & Baskervill is among the youngest and yet perhaps the most important in the amount of patronage enjoyed in Richmond. The firm is composed of Wm. C. Noland and H. E. Baskervill. Mr. Noland is a native of a neighboring county. He studied architecture in Philadelphia and New York and in Europe, while Mr. Baskervill is a Richmonder and graduated from the Engineering department of Cornell, and for eight years held a position in the engineering department of this city under Col. Cutshaw. They entered the field several years ago with youth and ability and have been aggressive as winners of work. They planned St. Luke's Hospital, Virginia Electrical Company's plant, addition to the University College of Medicine and numerous residences. They are now at work on plans for the Virginia Mechanics Institute and Baptist Church, and other important work.
[End of article.]
- Ray
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