Difference between revisions of "John L. Latenser (1858-1936), Architect"

Revision as of 14:43, 21 March 2016

Born in 1858 into a family of architects in Liechtenstein, John Latenser emigrated to the United States after completing studies in architecture at the Polytechnic College in Stuttgart. For seven years he was employed as a draftsman in Chicago before setting up an architectural practice in Omaha in 1887. Even at this time, early in his career, Latenser was recognized as a capable architect. In 1887, The Omaha Herald had this to say on the subject: “John Latenser [1887] has…a large experience as head man in several prominent offices, and is an architect and practical draughtsman of great skill and well up in all the minutae of his profession.”[2] Latenser’s Omaha practice spanned more than 50 years with commissions for many of the city’s larger civic and commercial building projects, including Central High School, The Douglas County Court House and the J. L. Brandeis and Sons Store. In addition, Latenser served as construction superintendent of Federal Building for Omaha’s Federal Post Office Building beginning in 1891 and two years later was named superintendent of Federal Building for a six-state territory. Latenser was also appointed by President McKinley as superintendent of the construction of government buildings. He worked for many years as architect for the Omaha School Board and is credited with designing over thirty-five schools in Omaha as well as schools throughout Nebraska and western Iowa. In 1908, Lantenser delivered an address on western school architecture at the annual conference of the National Teachers Association.[7][10]

Latenser was the patriarch of a dynastic architectural family in Omaha. He went into business with his sons in 1915, forming the prolific and long-lived firm John Latenser & Sons. Several of Latenser's grandsons and great-grandsons also became architects. Thus, his impact in the architectural realm carried on even after his death in 1936, both in the work of his family members and in the halls of the many buildings whose creation he shaped.

This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.

Douglas County Courthouse, 1909-1913 (Nathan L. Dewell, Nebraska State Historical Society)

Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings

Omaha, Nebraska, 1888-1895, 1900-1914

Educational & Professional Associations

____: graduated, Polytechnic College (technical school) of Stuttgart (Germany).[7][10]

____: architecturally employed on the capitol building at Indianapolis, Indiana.[10]

ca. 1880: practice in Chicago.[7][8]

____-1885: practice in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.[9]

1885: arrival in Omaha.[8]

1886-1887: architect and partner, Creedon & Latenser, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.

1887: architect and partner, Lietz & Latenser, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]

1887-1914: architect and owner, John Latenser, Architect, Omaha, Nebraska.

1891-1893: architect and partner, Voss & Latenser, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.

1915-1933: architect and partner, John Latenser & Sons, Architects, Omaha.

1934-1936: architect, president & treasurer, John Latenser & Sons, Inc., Omaha, Nebraska.[b]

Other Associations

1902-1904: employed William E. Findley, architect.

Genealogy of John Latenser's Sons

1. John L. Latenser (1858-1936), Architect (Latenser, and Latenser & Sons)

2. John Latenser, Jr. (1888-1978), Architect and Engineer (Latenser & Sons)

3. John F. Latenser, MD

3. William Banks Latenser, Architect (Latenser & Sons, and Latenser & Assoc)

4. William B. Latenser, Jr., Architect

4. Robert L. Latenser

4. Paul M. Latenser, Architect

2. Frank J. Latenser (1890-1973), Architect (Latenser & Sons)

3. James Seymour Latenser, Engineer (Latenser & Sons, and later of Spokane)

3. Frank Nestor “Nes” Latenser, Engineer (Latenser & Sons)

2. George Latenser

Buildings & Projects

1880s Work

Commercial Building (1888), 1417 Davenport St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0125-016)

H. E. Cochrane House (1889), 1021 S 36th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:99][15] (DO09:0206-004)

Superintendent of construction, U. S. Post Office and Federal Building (1889-1906), 1602 Dodge St., Omaha, Nebraska.[10][13:121][15] (demolished) (DO09:0126-010)

Building (1889), 2305 Leavenworth St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0120-032)

1890s Work

House (1890), 3846 Hamilton St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0327-018)

House (1890), 3848 Hamilton St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0327-019)

House (1890), 3850 Hamilton St., Omaha, Nebraska[15] (DO09:0327-020)

Windsor Elementary School (1892), 3401 Martha St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0198-001)

Columbian School (1892), 3819 Jones, Omaha, Nebraska.[14][15] (DO09:0317-045) National Register narrative

Center Elementary (Lincoln) School (1893), 1736 S. 11th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[11:31][15] (DO09:0115-005)

Train Elementary School (1893), 1615 S. 6th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0064-007)

Gilinsky Fruit Co. Building (1897), 1009 Howard St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0121-022)

John Latenser House (1899), 3215 Poppleton Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:164][15] (DO09:0204-093)

B. F. Thomas House (1899), 3225 Poppleton Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:164][15] (DO09:0204-090)

Saunders School (1899), 415 N. 41st, Omaha, Nebraska.[10][11:24/E-5][14][15] (DO09:0323-021) National Register narrative

Dundee Elementary School (1899), 310 N. 51st St., Omaha, Nebraska.[11:451][15] (DO09:0433-001)

Old Central School (1899, 1929), W side 16th ½ blk, Blair, Nebraska.[11: 7 & 203 (E 3)][14] (WN02-118) National Register narrative

1900s Work

Omaha (Central) High School (1900-1912, 1930), 124 N 20th, Omaha, Nebraska.[1][10][11:30][14][15] (DO09:0126-008) National Register narrative

St. Claire Franciscan Monastery (1900), 1302-24 N. 29th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15][c] (DO09:0217-003)

Cass School (early 1900s), Omaha.[10][11:25/E-4]

Pacific School (early 1900s), Omaha.[10]

Millard Block No 3 (1901), 1102 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:129]

W.D. Bancker House (1901), 111 S. 39th, Omaha, Nebraska.[14][15] (DO09:0319-021)

Great Western Stove Company/Dempster Bldg. (1902), 908 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:152/D-7][14][15] (DO09:0123-093)

D.M. Visonhaler House, (1902), 115 S. 39th, Omaha, Nebraska.[14][15] (DO09:0319-022)

Hastings Carnegie Library (1902), Hastings, Nebraska.[6][11:148/E-6]

Portland Apartments (Barnard Apts.) (1902), 804 Park Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:142/F-2][12:157][15] (DO09:0205-016)

City Auditorium (1903), 15th & Howard St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15]

George H. Lee Warehouse (1903), 1115-17 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:223/F2][12:130][14][15] (DO09:0123-030)

Unitah Apartments (1904), 2934 Leavenworth, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:141][14][15] (DO09:0207-045)

J. B. Pierce Bldg (1905), 10th & Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[5]

American Radiator Co. Building (1905), 417 S. 10th, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:205/B-7][14][15] (DO09:0121-053)

St. Claire Franciscan Monastery Boiler house, Infirmary Building and Sacristy Building (after 1905), 1302-24 N. 29th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[11:295/B-7] (DO09:0217-003)

Wright & Wilhelmy Company Warehouse (1905-1906), 513-23 S 10th, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:207/F-1][12:42] (DO09:1-36)

Jonas L. Brandeis & Sons Store Building (1905-1906), 200 S. 16th/1615 Douglas St., Omaha, Nebraska.[10][14][15] (DO09:0124-009) National Register narrative

South Omaha Legion and City Hall (1906), 5002 S. 24th, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:238/H-1][14][15] (DO09:0096-005)

Parlin, Orendorff & Martin Warehouse (1906) 707-721 S. 11th, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:227/F-2][14][15] (DO09:0121-036)

Carpenter Paper Company Bldg (1906, 1928), 815 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[11: 20, 231, 825, 809, 3103, 3209, 3211, 3520, 4101, 4323, & 4408 (G 4)][12:129][14][15] (DO09:0068-007)

Addition to Home of the Good Shepherd (1906), 40th & Jackson, Omaha, Nebraska [4][11:273 & 460/B-6]

Stein Brothers Building (1906), 630 W. 2nd. Hastings, Nebraska.[14] (AD04-005) National Register narrative

Temple Israel (St Johns Greek Orthodox Church) (1907), 602-604 Park Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:243 & 699/G-7][12:156][15] (DO09:0207-002)

Fred Davis Carriage House/Apt. (1907), 628 S 20th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:52][15] (DO09:0122-007)

Second Story Carriage House (1907), Drake district, Omaha, Nebraska.

Loyal Hotel (1907), 211 N. 16th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0125-039)

Superior Public School (1908), Superior, Nebraska.[17][a]

Reinhold B. Busch House (1908), 604 N. 38th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0323-007)

Kelly-Kittenbrink House (1908), 1304 Lake Ave., Gothenburg, Nebraska. (DS06-031)

J. F. Bloom Company Bldg (1909), 1702 Cuming, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:110][15] (DO09:0130-002)

Douglas County Courthouse (1909-1913), 1701 Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska.[10][11:315, 433, 740 & 3526][12:121][13:77][14][15] (DO09:0124-015) National Register narrative

1910s Work

Benson West Elementary School (1910), 6652 Maple St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0560-001)

Ephraim W. Dixon House (1910), 426 N. 38th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[11:365/G-4][15] (DO09:0321-006)

David Cole Creamery/John Deere Annex (1911), 423 S. 10th, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:382][14][15] (DO09:0121-054)

Oscar Keeline Building (1911 - 1912), 319 S 17th, Omaha, Nebraska.[3][11:397][12:50][14][15] (DO09:0124-017)

Custer County Courthouse & Jail (1911-1914), S. 10th Ave. between E, Broken Bow, Nebraska.[11:379 & 442][13:80][14] (CU05-056)

David Cole Creamery (1912), 1401 Jones, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:382 & 5103][14][15] (DO09:0121-080)

Miller Park Elementary School (1912), 2758 Ellison Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[11:390, 411, 3511][15] (DO09:0237-001)

Scottish Rite Temple (1912), 202 S 20th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:252/H-5][12:51][15] (DO09:0124-007)

Castelar Elementary School (1912), 2314 S. 18th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[11:390, 411, 3511][15] (DO09:0112-002)

Central Park Elementary School (1912), 4904-06 N. 42nd St., Omaha, Nebraska.[11:390, 411, 3511][15] (DO09:0346-001)

School (1912), Randolph (?), Nebraska.[11:386]

Brandeis Store & Rooming House (1912), Omaha, Nebraska.[11:387]

Additions & Alterations, Omaha Lutheran Hospital (1912), Omaha, Nebraska.[11:389]

Wise Memorial Hosp. (Omaha Lutheran Hosp.) (1912), Omaha, Nebraska.[11:389]

Elgin School (1912), Elgin, Nebraska.[11:160 & 401/E5]

Storm Lake High School (1912), Storm Lake, Iowa.[11:409]

University Temple Building (1913), Lincoln, Nebraska.[10][11:215/C-4]

Studebaker Garage (1913), 2552-58 Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska.[11:420 & 511][12:122][15] (DO09:0209-018)

World Insurance Building (1913), 203 S. 18th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[15] (DO09:0124-036)

Albion High School (1913), Albion, Nebraska.[11:419][16]

In 1915 Latenser brought his two architect sons, John, Jr. and Frank J.--both of whom had already been working for him--into the practice. The new firm became John Latenser & Sons, a name that remained active until 1978, through the practices of the second and third generation of Latenser architects in America (recall that the patriarch of the family had also come from a line of Latenser family architects in Liechtenstein). See the firm's entry for subsequent buildings and projects.

Notes

a. Construction contract awarded to P. J. Creedon & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.

b. Last Omaha directory listing, 1936.

c. Three architects in Omaha Architects database.

References

1. “Proposed New Omaha High School,” Omaha Sunday World Herald (June 10, 1900), 24.

2. “Lietz & Latenser,” The (Omaha) Herald (January 1, 1887).

3. “Oscar Keeline Bldg. Under Construction.” (Rendering) Omaha Excelsior (March 2, 1912), 15.

4. “Home of the Good Shepherd—brick addition,” Omaha Bee (January 1, 1906), 6:4.

5. “Warehouses & Factories,” Omaha Daily Bee (January 1, 1906), 6:2.

6. Nebraska State Library Commission, Buildings & Architects card file.

7. “John Latenser,” City of Omaha, Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission website. Accessed April 21, 2003. <http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/landmarks/designated_landmarks/architects/Latenser.htm>

8. “John Latenser’s Death Follows Long Illness,” Omaha Bee-News (December 7, 1936), 1-2.

9. “John Latenser, Sr., is Taken by Death,” Lincoln State Journal (December 7, 1936), 1:3.

10. “John Latenser,” in Albert Watkins (ed), History of Nebraska (Lincoln: Western Publishing and Engraving Company, 1913), p. III[B]-617.

11. Latenser, William, “List of Tracings in Vault of William Latenser & Associates,” TS. (May 29, 1979) [Citations include Job Number and files location(s).]

12. Landmarks, Inc., An Inventory of Historic Omaha Buildings (Omaha: City of Omaha and Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, 1980). [Citations include page number.]

13. Oliver B. Pollak, Nebraska Courthouses: Contention, Compromise, and Community [Images of America Series] (Chicago: Arcadia Publishing, 2002). [Citations include page number.]

14. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

15. City of Omaha Planning Department, Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, Database, Query on Architects, May 20, 2002; courtesy of Lynn Meyer, Preservation Planner

16. Tom Kaspar, comp. Inventory of architectural records in the archives of Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska. 1996. Nebraska State Historical Society, RG3748, Box 16.

17. “Contracts Let,” The Bricklayer and Mason 11:4 (April 1908), 59, Google Books, August 15, 2013, http://books.google.com/books?id=e3QtAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA249&lpg=PA249&dq=%22p+j+creedon%22+architect&source=bl&ots=XDFJBHqcUT&sig=d0b2UYwWguIjeAXrTkpJLr6-P5A&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a_sMUvS0Hqbq2gWzuID4Dg&ved=0CDkQ6AEwATgK

Page Citation

D. Murphy, “John L. Latenser (1858-1936), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, March 21, 2016. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, October 31, 2024.

Contact the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office with questions or comments concerning this page, including any problems you may have with broken links (see, however, the Disclaimers link at the bottom of this page). Please provide the URL to this page with your inquiry.