Ellery Lothrop Davis (1887-1956), Architect
Davis worked as an independent architect from 1917-1920. In 1918 he hired Walter F. Wilson as a draftsman, then formed the firm of Davis & Wilson, Architects in 1920. Davis retired due to ill health in 1931, then returned to assist with a government contract to design a new Army Airfield in Denver in 1942 and remained active nearly until his death. He formally registered as an architect in the State of Nebraska in 1945.[22]
Davis was a member of the American Institute of Architects, the American Specification Institute, and the American Society of Testing Materials. Other of his affiliations included the Round Table Club, the Crucible Club, the University Club, and the Lincoln Country Club, and he was a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner. Davis died March 20, 1956. He was survived by his wife, Mary Camille Hall Davis; a daughter, Mary Axtell of Omaha; and his son, Ellery Hall Davis, also of Lincoln.[1][5][6][8][9][10][11]
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the Format and contents of Nebraska architect entries page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
Educational & Professional Associations
1903: graduate of Lincoln High School (valedictorian).[9][11]
1903-1907: A.B. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9] [11[a]
1909: Bachelor of Architecture, Columbia University.[[#References|[[7][9][11]]]
1908-1910: draftsman with Ferdinand Fiske, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7]
1909-1910: draftsman with George A. Berlinghof, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1910-1917: architect and partner, Berlinghof & Davis, Architects, Lincoln.[9][11]
1917-1920: architect, Ellery L. Davis, Architect, Lincoln, Nebraska.[9][11]
1920-1931: architect and partner, Davis & Wilson, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.[11][22]
1931-1942: inactive partner, Davis & Wilson, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.[11][22][b]
1942-1955: architect and partner, Davis & Wilson, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.[11][22][b]
1945: Registered Professional Architect, Nebraska, September 5, 1945; A-156.[11]
Other Associations
1918-1920: employed Walter F. Wilson, as architect and superintendent.
Buildings & Projects
1909-1910
Hagenow Building (1909), 1701-1705 O St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[3] (LC13:D08-053)
Ticket booth for University Athletic Board (1909), 1002 T St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[14][c]
1910-1917
From 1910-1917, Davis practiced in partnership with George A. Berlinghof as Berlinghof & Davis, Architects.
One project during this period, the Floral Court Apartments, was the work of Ellery Davis alone. Not only was the project developed by Ellery and Camille Davis as owners, Davis can be identified as the designer of this project based on drawings filed with the building permit. The elevation is inscribed “Apartment Building for Mrs. Ellery Davis Lincoln Nebr. Ellery Davis Architect Lincoln.” These drawings are the only ones so far found inscribed by Davis alone, during the period of the Berlinghof & Davis partnership.
Floral Court Apartments, (1915), 1735-39 G St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[13:52][26][27:93] (LC13:D07-005)
1917-1920
Miller & Paine, Fourth Store (1917), 1215 O St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][15][28][d]
Dr. G.O.W. Farnham Garage and Auto Sales Building - Duteau Chevrolet Building (1917), 1801 O St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][16][32] (LC13:D09-538)[e]
Remodeling at Oliver Theater (1917), 145 N. 10th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][13:10][18][f]
Magee’s Store Building (1917-1918), 1201 O St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][19][29][o] (LC13:C08-307)
Rudge & Guenzel Building (1917-1918), NW corner 13th & N, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][30] (LC13:C08-004) [n]
Union Wall Paper & Paint Company Building (1917-1919), 1320 P, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][17]
Project for eight-story building for Turner & Holmes (1917-1918) northwest corner of 13th & O, Lincoln, Nebraska.[25][33][q]
William A. McCullough House (1917-1918), 2122 15th Ave, Central City, Nebraska.[33][r] (MK02-198)
Nebraska City Telephone Building (1918-1921) [Lincoln Telephone Company, Std. Bldg. 2], Nebraska City, Nebraska.[12] (OT06:B-016)
Lewiston School (1918), Pawnee County Dist. 69, Lewiston, Nebraska.[12]
Fairbury Telephone Building (1918-1920) [Lincoln Telephone Company, Std. Bldg. 4], Fairbury, Nebraska.[12][34]
Remodel premises for Nebraska Farmer (1918), 1400 P, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][23][34][s]
Remodeling of shop at Oliver Theater (1918), 137 N. 10th, Lincoln, Nebraska. [12][13:10][20][f]
Alterations (1918), Gold & Company Store (Spiers Store), N 10th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12]
Shelton School for the Nebraska Conference (1918), Shelton, Nebraska.[12][g]
Remodel Mayer Bros. Store for Eli Shire (1919), 1023 O, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][24]
George Dutton house (1919), 9th & Burlington, Hastings, Nebraska.[12]
Eagle-Union High School (1919), Cass County Dist. 104, Eagle, Nebraska.[12]
Valparaiso School (1919), Saunders County Dist. 101, Valparaiso, Nebraska.[12] (SD15-024)
York Telephone Building (1919) [Lincoln Telephone Company, Std. Bldg. 3], York, Nebraska.[12]
Store for Paul Holm (1919), 117 S. 14th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][21]
Nebraska Capitol Competition, final stage (1919-1920), Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Chadron High School (1920-1921), southeast corner 6th & Ann, Chadron, Nebraska.[12] (DW03-054)
Chadron Ward School (1920), Lake & Norfolk Ave, Chadron, Nebraska.[12]
West Point High School (1920), Bridge & Park, West Point, Nebraska.[12]
David City Telephone Building (1917-1920) [Lincoln Telephone Company, Std. Bldg. 1], David City, Nebraska.[12][31][p] (BU05-028)
Superior Telephone Building (1920-1922) [Lincoln Telephone Company, Std. Bldg. 1a], Superior, Nebraska.[12] (NU13-718)
Mead School (1920-1921), Saunders County Dist. 72, Mead, Nebraska.[12] (SD08-003)
Addition and alteration (1920), South Exchange Building, Lincoln Telephone Company, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][h]
Nebraska State Hospital (1920), Milford, Nebraska.[12]
Plainview High School (1920), Pierce County Dist. 5, Plainview, Nebraska.[12] (PC06-014)
Kenwood School (1920-1921), Lake & Norfolk Ave., Chadron, Nebraska.[12] (DW03-049)
1920-1956
In 1920, Davis and Walter F. Wilson formed Davis & Wilson, Architects. The firm survived Davis’s death in 1956, at which time his son, Ellery Hall Davis (1912-2003), Architect, assumed the mantle of Davis partner in the firm. The firm was reorganized in December of 1968 as Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects, which was succeeded in 1995 by Davis Design, Architects.
During the transition into the Davis & Wilson partnership, and continuing for a few years after, drawings for the projects listed below bore only Davis’s name.
Kitchen addition (1921), Nebraska Home for Dependent Children, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12]
Ellery Davis House (1924), 2740 Van Dorn, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:E05-038)
University Place School (1925), 4601 Adams, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][13:69]
Undated
Bookcases for H. K. Burket (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][13][i]
C. M. Clark house (n.d.), Lewiston, Nebraska.[12]
Remodel (n.d.), Domestic Science Building, University Place, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][13:32]
Alterations (n.d.), H. A. Ensign Garage, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][13:54][j]
Remodel (n.d.), Fair Store, Beatrice, Nebraska.[12][13:55]
Goehner School (ca. 1910s), Goehner, Nebraska (in association with Ben H. Hughes, Architect, Seward, Nebraska.[12] (SW05-013)
Porch addition (n.d.), E. J. Hainer house, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][13:4-5][k]
Project for Markell Garage (n.d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][13:20][l]
Merna Bank (n.d.), Merna, Nebraska.[12]
Marquee (n.d.), Perkins Huffman Company, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][m]
Alterations (n.d.), Gen. John J. Pershing house, 1748 B, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][13:66]
Addition (n.d.), Apartment House for Harvey Rathbone, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][13:53]
Shop addition (n.d.), Tecumseh School, Tecumseh, Nebraska.[12][13:3]
Writings
Ellery Davis, Architect, "Economical Proportions of Concrete Slabs and Simple Concrete Beams," American Architect 113 (1919), 779.
Notes
a. Sources on Davis’s dates of graduation, partnership, etc. vary by a few years, even when Davis himself was probably the source. The dates offered here are those deemed most reliable and consistent among the several sources; divergent dates are mentioned in the references below.
b. The white pages of the Lincoln City Directories do not list affiliation with Davis & Wilson for the years 1942-1950.
c. The original building permit for the Hagenow Building is for a two-story commercial building, while the accompanying drawings mention a third story “not to be built at present but column at top of second story must be provided for.” A second permit was issued three months later for the third story addition, presumably during one continuous construction campaign.
d. This project appears to be Davis' first independent project following the cessation of his eight-year partnership with George Berlinghof. American Contractor of July 1917 states: "Store & Office Bldg: $40,000. 2 sty. & bas. 50x142. ) st. betw. 12th & 13th sts. Archt. E. L. Davis, 515 Security Mutual Life bldg. Owners Miller & Paine,...Brk., Bedford or Carthage cut stone, tar & gravel r comp. rfg. Prelim. plans."[28]
Drawings filed with the building permit depict a two-story storefront with Neo-classical terra cotta trim. Labeled “Fourth store Building for Mssrs. Miller & Paine,” the building replaced 3-story storefronts shown on those lots on the 1903 Sanborn Map Co. atlas of Lincoln. Images in the Macdonald Studio Collection of the Nebraska State Historical Society depict the storefront in 1931 (Macdonald images RG2183-1931-504-3 and RG2183-1931-429). In 1938 and 1939, Miller & Paine obtained building permits to alter and add to the existing two-story building with a new O Street façade, resulting in a 5-story building with a sleek limestone front, which Miller & Paine leased to Ben Simon’s store. Davis & Wilson designed the 1939 project, extending and re-facing the 1917 Davis-designed building.
e. American Contractor of December 29, 1917 describes this project as: "Garage: $40,000. 100x142. 18th & O sts. Archt. Ellery Davis...Owner Dr. G. O. W. Farnham. Gen. contr. let to Olson Constr. Co."[32] This two-story automotive sales building was originally occupied by Hussong Ford. In 1922, Davis & Wilson doubled the building, extending it east another 100 feet. DuTeau Chevrolet occupied the structure for decades.
f. Two building permits were issued eight months apart for $5,000 of remodeling work on F. D. Eager’s Oliver Theater building, which stretched a half-block from 137-147 North 13th Street.
g. This is a combined school and dormitory.[12]
h. In association with Vernon F. Tinsley Associates.[12]
i. Homer K. Burket lived at 1934 F St. in Lincoln in 1920.
j. Ensign operated Ensign Omnibus and Transfer Co. at 221 S. 11th St. in Lincoln in 1920.
k. Eugene. J. Hainer resided at 1139 S. 19th Street (19th & A Sts.) in Lincoln in 1920.
l. John H. Markel operated Markel-Cropsey Airplane Co. at 1726 O St. in Lincoln in 1920, which was originally an automotive sales building design by “’Berlinghof & Davis’” and built in 1917.
m. Perkins Huffman operated a store at 1112-1114 O St. in Lincoln in 1920.
n. This department store was being designed at the time of dissolution of the Berlinghof & Davis partnership and apparently had involvement by the partners together and separately. While the plans filed with the City of Lincoln for a building permit were inscribed "Berlinghof and Ellsworth," American Contractor of Oct. 5, 1917 lists the project designers as "Archt. G. H. Ellsworth...Consultg. Archt. Elery [sic] Davis."[30]
o. American Contractor of Oct. 6, 1917 describes this project as:"Store Bldg.: $75,000. 3 sty. & bas. 50x142. 12th & O sts. Archt. Elery [sic] Davis...Owner Magee Clothing Co., 1109 O st. Press & com. brk., Bedford or Carthage cut stone, t. c., re. conc., tar & gravel or comp. rfg. Plans drawn."[29]
p. American Contractor of Dec. 29, 1917 describes this project as:"Telephone Bldg.: $10,000. 2 sty. & bas. 22x56. David City, Nebr. Archt. Ellery Davis...Owner Lincoln Telephone Company, both of Lincoln. Brk., stone, re. conc., tar & gravel or comp. rfg. Final plans." On March 2, 1918, that publication announced: "Time for letting extended; new date soon."[31]
q.American Contractor of Dec. 22, 1917 describes this project as:"Store & Office Bldg.: $100,000. 3 sty. or more. 23x142. 13th & O sts. Archt. Ellery Davis...Owners M. W. Turner & E. B. Holmes... Brk., t. c., tar & gravel or comp. rfg. Final plans."[33]
r. American Contractor of Dec. 22, 1917 describes this project as:"Res.: $15,000. 2 sty. & bas. 23x142. Central City, Nebr. Archt. Ellery Davis...Owner W. A. McCullough... Brk. & stone trim, proby. slate or comp. rfg. Final plans."[33]
According to the 1920 Census, William A. and Margaret McCullough lived at 2122 15th Ave. in Central City. Their large, brick, colonial revival house still stands at that location.
s. McKelvie initially had Davis prepare plans for a new building, according to American Contractor of March 9, 1918, which describes a $40,000 "store building" on 17th St. between O and P Streets in Lincoln. [34]
References
1. Edward F. Zimmer, “Davis & Wilson,” in David J. Wishart (ed.), Encyclopedia of the Great Plains (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2004), 75-76, accessed February 22, 2013, http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.arc.015
2. American Architect 117:2327 (July 28, 1920).
3. City of Lincoln Building Permits (and accompanying applications and drawings) #3223, July 10, 1909; and #3369, September 23, 1909; Architect “Ellery Davis.”
4. Butch Mabin, “Davis Design has been shaping Lincoln since adolescence,” Lincoln Journal Star (March 2, 2003), 30M.
5. “Ellery Davis, Longtime Local Architect, Dies At Age of 69,” Lincoln Star (March 22, 1956), 6:1.
6. “Dean Davis Dies; Pneumonia Victim,” Lincoln Star (February 4, 1918), 4.
7. Jim Stange, “Davis Design: Design Excellence since 1912,” Preservation Association of Lincoln, Brown Bag Lecture Series, Museum of Nebraska History, Lincoln, May 13, 2003. Lists Davis’s Columbia degree as 1908.
8. James T. Lees, “Ellery Williams Davis, Ph.D., 1857-1918: Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences,” The University Journal (Alumni Edition) (April 1918), 2-3.
9. “Ellery Lothrop Davis,” in Robert M. Baldwin, Who’s Who in Lincoln, 1928 (Lincoln: _____, 1928), 68.
10. AIA Historical Directory of American Architects: A Resource Guide to Finding Information About Past Architects, accessed April 27, 2010, http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/ahd1010139.aspx
11. Application for Registration to Practice Professional Engineering and Architecture, Nebraska State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Architects, August 10, 1945. Nebraska State Historical Society RG081 SG2. Lists Davis’s University of Nebraska graduation date as 1906, Columbia degree as 1908, and Berlinghof and Davis partnership dates as 1909-1917.
12. Tom Caspar, comp. Inventory of architectural records in the archives of Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska. 1996. Nebraska State Historical Society, RG3748, Box 16.
13. “Davis-Fenton-Stange-Darling Architects and Engineers: Architectural and Construction Documents,” Instrument of Donation, Davis Fenton Stange Darling Collection, Nebraska State Historical Society, RG3748, July 18, 1977.
14. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying application) #3425, October 14, 1909; Architect “Ellery Davis.”
15. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying application) #7236, September 29, 1917, Architect “Ellery Davis.”
16. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying application) #7288 November 30, 1917, Architect “Ellery Davis & Trussed Concrete Steel Co.”
17. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying application) #7926, May 26, 1919, Architect “Ellery Davis.”
18. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying application) #7298, December 22, 1917, Architect “Davis.”
19. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying application) #7392, Apr. 29, 1918, Architect “Ellery Davis.”
20. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying application) #7549, August 6, 1918, Architect “Ellery Davis.”
21. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying application) #8187, September 30, 1919, Architect “Ellery Davis.”
22. A Century of Design Excellence, 1912-2012, Davis Design, centennial publication by the firm, 2013.
23. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying architectural drawings) #7442, May 16, 1918, “Ellery Davis Architect.”
24. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and accompanying architectural drawings) #7695, February 27, 1919, “Ellery Davis Architect.”
25. ”Building to be Erected at the Northwest Corner of Thirteenth and O Streets by Turner & Holmes,” Sunday State Journal [Lincoln], (January 6, 1918), 12B.
26. City of Lincoln Building Permit (and application) #5984, Building & Safety Department, May 3, 1915. The owner is listed as Camille Davis, with Ellery Davis, Architect.
27. “Davis-Fenton-Stange-Darling Architects and Engineers: Architectural and Construction Documents,” Instrument of Donation, Davis Fenton Stange Darling Collection, Nebraska State Historical Society, RG3748, July 18, 1977.
28. American Contractor (July 21, 1917), 66C.
29. American Contractor (October 6, 1917), 77.
30. American Contractor (October 27, 1917), 55.
31. American Contractor (December 22, 1917), 49; (March 2, 1918), 68.
32. American Contractor (December 29, 1917), 44.
33. American Contractor (December 29, 1917), 58.
34. American Contractor (March 9, 1918), 56.
Page Citation
E. F. Zimmer and D. Murphy, “Ellery Lothrop Davis (1887-1956), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, May 15, 2013. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, November 22, 2024.
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