Difference between revisions of "Fred (Fritz) Craig (1887-1960), Architect"

Revision as of 15:12, 31 May 2023

Fritz Craig, 1937

DBA: Fritz Craig, Architect, Lincoln, Nebraska.[b]

Fred "Fritz" Craig was born May 9, 1887 in Nebraska to William and Synthia Craig. His father was a carpenter and the family resided in Battle Creek, Madison County, Nebraska in 1900.[18] Craig was a self-made architect with little formal education, instead training under various architects in their practices.[4][9] Craig practiced awhile in Wyoming before serving in WWI.[4][5][6] In 1919, he moved to Lincoln, where he lived out the rest of his life.[5][6] He partnered with J. B. Miller for more than a decade (1924-1935), designing numerous homes and "Greek" chapter houses associated with the University of Nebraska. Craig designed more than 70 churches, located in Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, and Iowa.[7][9] He also designed schools, hospitals, and National Guard Armories.[9] In his last decade he shared an office with Jack Beers, a WWII Marine Corps veteran who studied architecture at University of Nebraska after the war.

In addition to having an extensive career in architecture, Craig was a well-known amateur watercolorist.[5][6] He was a member of the American Legion, Forty and Eight, the Scottish Rite, Shriners, and the American Institute of Architects. [5][6][8] Craig served as president of the Nebraska Architects Association and of the Nebraska Art Association, reflecting his interests in design and watercolor.[5][6][8]

Craig married Isabel Wheeler around 1915. They had four children--twins Wesley and Marion, Helen and Fritz. Craig died July 2, 1960. He was survived by his wife Isabelle, his children Wesley and Marion, his three grandchildren, and his sister.[5][6][8][17]

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.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1951-1952 (D. Murphy)

Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings

Lincoln, Nebraska, 1920-1960

Educational & Professional Associations

1905: graduate, public school, Battle Creek, Nebraska.[4]

1905-1906: apprentice, A.H. Dyer, Architect, Fremont, Nebraska.[4]

1906-1907: draftsman, City Engineer’s office, Cheyenne, Wyoming.[4]

1907-1911: draftsman, V. R. Dubois, Architect, Cheyenne, Wyoming.[4]

1911: study travel in England and Europe.[4]

1912-1914: architect, Casper, Wyoming.[4]

1914-1917: partner with A. H. Dyer, Architect, Fremont, Nebraska.[4]

1919-1923: draftsman, Fiske & Meginnis, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.[4]

1924-1934: architect and partner, Miller & Craig, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.[4]

1924-1925: District Reconditioning Supervisor, _OTC, Lincoln, Nebraska.[4]

1934: project manager, Historic American Buildings Survey in Nebraska.[10]

1935: lecturer, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

1936-1951: Fritz Craig, Architect, Lincoln, Nebraska.[4]

1937: Registered Professional Architect, Nebraska, A-3, November 23, 1937.[4]

1950: employed Jack Beers as draftsman.

1951-1960: Craig practiced in association with Jack Beers at 724 First National Bank Building, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Buildings & Projects

1924

Men's Comfort Station (1924), NE corner 9th & O, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1]

Fullagar-Guenzel House (1924), 2245 Harrison Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:D05-532)

1924-1935

In 1924, Craig began a very productive partnership with J. B. Miller as Miller & Craig, Architects, designing numerous residences and fraternity and sorority houses, as well as churches and commercial buildings. For the projects of that partnership, see Miller & Craig, Architects.

1936-1960

Dr. J. E. M. Thomson House (1936), 1234 Crestdale Road, Lincoln, Nebraska.[16]

Holmes Elementary School (1936-1937), 5230 Sumner, Lincoln, Nebraska.[3][5][6][11] (LC13:F06-004)

Knights of Pythias (1937-1938), 1100 Q St., Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:C09-029)

Zeta Beta Tau - Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity (1939), 1345 R St, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:C09-039) Demolished.

Remodel (1941-1942), Bonacum Building (to accommodate Lincoln Public Schools), Lincoln, Nebraska.[3][a]

Fritz Craig House (ca. 1945), 2801 Eastgate, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:E04-001)

Redeemer Lutheran Church (1946-1947), 510 S 33rd St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][9][15][25][d]

Southminster Evangelical United Brethren Church (1947), southwest corner of South 16th & Otoe Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][9][27][28]

Caldwell Memorial Church (1948), 2915 S. 16th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[14]

Blessed Sacrament Church (1949), 1700 Lake St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][21] (LC13:D05-422)

St. Teresa Catholic Church (1951), 3535 Laura Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][9][22][28]

Trinity Lutheran Church (1951-1952), southeast corner 12th & H Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][9]

St. James Methodist Church (1951 basement, 1954-1956 superstructure), 2400 South 11th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9][29][30][31]

Christ Methodist Church (1953), 4530 A Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][9][20]

Lincoln Orthopedic Clinic (1953), 1000 South 13th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[13]

Addition to Calvary Lutheran Church (1954-1955), 2788 Franklin Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][9][26]

Sunday School and Education Building for Redeemer Lutheran Church (1955), 510 South 33rd Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[23][24]

Associated architect, Pershing Municipal Auditorium (1956-1957), 15th & N Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][c] (LC13:C07-909)

1951-1960

Craig hired Jack Beers, a young graduate architect from the University of Nebraska, as a draftsman in 1950. Beers was listed from 1951 to 1960 as an architect with Craig, or both were listed at the same office (Room 724) in the First National Bank Building, through 1960, the year of Craig's death. While no indication has yet been found that they formally associated as partners or created a firm together, the projects that were credited to both of them are listed on a page for Fritz Craig & Jack Beers, Associated Architects.

Undated

Three Sisters Store remodel (n.d.), 1023-1027 O St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[3]

Second Presbyterian Church (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][9]

University Episcopal Chapel (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[7][9]

Pius X High School (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[9]

Notes

a. In association with Nathan Bruce Hazen (1897-1991), Architect, Lincoln, Nebraska, as Hazen & Craig.[3] Original building, 1931, by Leo Anthony Daly (1890-1952), Architect.

b. According to listings in the Lincoln City Directories, Craig started going by the name “Fritz” in the 1930s.

c. The design and construction of Pershing Auditorium was a collaboration of four architectural firms, working under the title of Associated Architects; these were Davis & Wilson, Schaumberg & Freeman, Hazen & Robinson, and Fritz Craig. A fifth architect, Steve Cook, was superintendent of construction.[12]

d. See Fritz Craig & Jack Beers, Associated Architects for 1957 sanctuary addition to Redeemer Lutheran Church.

References

1. Ink on vellum perspective drawing, signed; Lincoln Planning Department. Note date?

2. AIA Historical Directory of American Architects: A Resource Guide to Finding Information About Past Architects, accessed April 20, 2010, http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/ahd1009177.aspx

3. 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.

4. Application for Registration to Practice Professional Engineering and Architecture, Nebraska State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Architects, October 10, 1937. Nebraska State Historical Society RG081 SG2.

5. “Architect Is Dead: Fritz Craig Dies at 73,” Lincoln Journal-Star (July 3, 1960).

6. “Craig,” Lincoln Journal-Star (July 3, 1960).

7. “Craig,” Lincoln Star (July 5, 1960).

8. “Funeral For Fritz Craig Slated Today,” Lincoln Star (July 5, 1960).

9. “Many Churches Designed By Late Fritz Craig," Lincoln (Nebraska) Evening Journal (July 4, 1960), 7.

10. See e.g. Historic American Buildings Survey, HABS NE-35-6. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, accessed April 9, 2013, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/ne0028/

11. “Lay Cornerstone of Holmes Site School,” 1937 newspaper clipping in site file.

12. Del Snodgrass, "More Than 15 Firms Had Major Part in Building Structure," Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star (March 10, 1957): 2-E.

13. City of Lincoln Building Permit #60321, April 28, 1953; $40,000; Fritz Craig, Architect; M. W. Anderson Construction Company, Contractors.

14. City of Lincoln Building Permit #48018.

15. City of Lincoln Building Permit #43077.

16. City of Lincoln Building Permit #24255, issued March 17, 1936; estimated cost $12,500; architect: Fritz Craig.

17. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line], s.v. "Fred Craig." Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2002.

18. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line], s.v. "Fred Craig." Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

19. City of Lincoln Building Permit #69701, issued September 19, 1956; estimated cost $65,000; with Jack Beers.

20. City of Lincoln Building Permit #60390, issued May 8, 1953; estimated cost $125,000; Fritz Craig, architect.

21. City of Lincoln Building Permit #49683, issued May 11, 1949.

22. City of Lincoln Building Permit #55482, issued June 29, 1951.

23. City of Lincoln Building Permit #65025, issued January 14, 1955.

24. "Educational Unit Planned," Lincoln (Nebraska) Sunday Journal and Star (October 11, 1953), 5-D.

25. "Redeemer Lutheran Church to Dedicate Building Next Week," Lincoln (Nebraska) Star (August 31, 1947), 25 (illustrated with interior photo).

26. City of Lincoln Building Permit #64275, issued October 5, 1954.

27. "Southminster Church Okays Building Date," Lincoln, Nebraska State Journal (October 14, 1947), 1.

28. "New St. Teresa's Church Construction Scheduled," Lincoln (Nebraska) Sunday Journal and Star (April 22,, 1951), 5-D (Illustrated with sketch rendering).

28. City of Lincoln Building Permit #48018, issued June 25, 1948.

29. City of Lincoln Building Permits #54325 (February 16, 1951) and #64503 (November 2, 1954).

30. "Building Boom Proves City Churches Growing...The Congregation of St. James Methodist Church is worshipping in the basement of a projected $50,000 edifice to be built in the near future," Lincoln (Nebraska) Sunday Journal and Star (September 13, 1953), 39.

31. "St. James Methodist Church Will Consecrate Sanctuary," Lincoln (Nebraska) Sunday Journal and Star (January 8, 1956), 5-D.

Page Citation

D. Murphy & E. F. Zimmer “Fred (Fritz) Craig (1887-1960), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, May 31, 2023. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, November 22, 2024.

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