James T. Allan (1890-1957), Architect
James T. Allan was born in Omaha, Nebraska on July 24, 1890, to Henry B. and Helen (Young) Allan, both natives of Scotland. Allan commenced his architectural apprenticeship in Omaha in 1907 as a junior draftsman for one of his parents’ countrymen, James B. Mason. In 1914, after several years drafting for the prominent firm of Fisher & Lawrie, he began his own very productive practice. Allan was a World War I veteran, and a member of the American Institute of Architects. He died in Omaha on September 9, 1957, and was survived by his wife, Gretchen L. Allan, two daughters and three grandchildren.[1][3][9][d]
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
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
Omaha, Nebraska, 1916-1956
Educational & Professional Associations
1895-1907: student, Omaha Public Schools.[2]
1907: junior draftsman, James B. Mason, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
1908-1914: draftsman, Fisher & Lawrie, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
1914: draftsman, Harry Lawrie, Omaha, Nebraska.
1914-1956: architect, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
1928-1932: collaborated with Noel Stanley Wallace on selected buildings[a]; see Allan & Wallace.
1938: Registered Professional Architect, Nebraska; July 19, 1938, A-66.[2]
1949-1952: architect and partner, Allan & Burrill, Omaha, Nebraska.[16]
1957: architect and partner, Allan Money & Keogh, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Other Associations
1928: employed Noel Stanley Wallace as an architect.
1946: employed Charles Stahl Ingalls, draftsman.
1946: employed Lyle Albert Lydick, draftsman.
1946-1948: employed Cecil Andrew Martin, architect.
1947-1956: employed George Clyde Money, architect.
1951: employed Donald Henry Korff, architect.
Buildings & Projects
Dwight Apartments (1915), 3205 Poppleton Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0204-094)
House (1915), 3211 Poppleton Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0204-124)
B. Danforth Apartment Bldg (1915), 3205 Poppleton Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[4]
Douglas Printing (1916), 109 N 18th St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0126-021)
Duplex (1916), 1935-1937 S 10th St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0113-007)
Sample Hart Ford Sales & Service Building (1916), 723 N 18th St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0128-068)
Ford Hospital (1916-1922), 121-129 S 25th St. Omaha, Nebraska.[1][2][4][6][8] (DO09:209-006) National Register Narrative
Logan Apartments (1917), 1804 Dodge St. Omaha, Nebraska.[2][6][8] (DO09:0126-020) National Register Narrative
Garage and Sales Room for C. W. Calkins (1917), 22nd & Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska.[7]
Farrell Building (1919), 902 Dodge St. Omaha, Nebraska.[2][8] (DO09:0125-010)
Womens Hospital (1919), Omaha, Nebraska.[12]
Lee Huff Flats (1921), 213-215½ Walnut, Grand Island, Nebraska.[2][6] (HL06-164) National Register Narrative
Lee Huff Flats (1921), 316-318½ West Koenig, Grand Island, Nebraska.[2][6] (HL06-165) National Register Narrative
Lee Huff Garage (1921), Grand Island, Nebraska.[6] (HL06-168) National Register Narrative
Hersberg Store (ca. 1922), Omaha, Nebraska.[2][11]
Commercial Garage (1922), 1509 Chicago St, Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0125-006)
Duplex (1923), 3018 Lincoln Blvd. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0216-058)
Rent-A-Ford Company Garage (1923), 202 N 19th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[2][8] (DO09:0126-018)
Roseland Theater Building (ca. 1923), 4932 South 24th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[2][5][6][8] (DO09:0096-003)
El Beudor Apartments (ca. 1923), Omaha, Nebraska.[13]
Apartment (1924), 1717 S 16th St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0115-013)
Commercial Building (1924), 1511 Davenport St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0125-009)
Jewish Community Center (1924), 20th & Dodge, Omaha, Nebraska.[2][10]
Ralston Town Hall (1924), 5500 S 77th St., Ralson, Nebraska. [17]
Building (1925), 2519 Cuming St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0215-006)
Commercial Building (1926), 1419 Farnam St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0123-081)
Silart Apartments (1926), 4900 Dodge St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0433-011)
Daily Record Building (1928), 508 S 19th St. Omaha, Nebraska. (DO09:0122-035)
Lee Huff Apartment Building (1928), 324 West Koenig, Grand Island, Nebraska.[2][6] (HL06-166) National Register Narrative
Olympic Café (1936), 1421 Farnam St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0123-080)
Bartmettler Bisquit Plant (ca. 1936), 4301 N. 30th, Omaha, Nebraska
Union Bus Depot (1940), Grant Avenue at 25th Street, Ogden, Utah.[15][c]
Greyhound Bus Depot (1945-1946), Pocatello, Idaho.[14][b]
Interstate Transit Lines Terminal-Greyhound Bus Depot (1946), 1802 Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska.[4][8] (DO09:0124-035)
M.U.D. Garage (1950), 427 S 20th St. Omaha, Nebraska.[8] (DO09:0122-018)
Undated
Morris Apartment Hotel, Omaha, Nebraska.[1][2]
Iten-Barmettler Biscuit Factory (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Alterations (n. d.), Schulze Baking Company, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Barker Building (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Union Pacific Stages Garage, Shops and Offices (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Union Pacific Stages Depot (n. d.), Topeka, Kansas.[2]
Union Pacific Stages Garage and Shops (n. d.), Salt Lake City, Utah.[2]
Addition (n. d.), Buick Building, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Jerpe Cold Storage Company Creamery (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Jerpe Cold Storage Company Produce Plant (n. d.), Seward, Nebraska.[2]
Browning-King Building (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Ambassador Apartments (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Nebraska Clothing Company, Omaha; all work from 1920-1938.[2]
Addition (n. d.), Omaha Field Club, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
W. H. Schellberg House (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Fiske Tire & Rubber Company Building (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Hillcrest Building (n. d.), 49th & Dodge, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Schmoller & Mueller Piano Company Building (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Schmoller & Mueller Piano Company Building (n. d.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Schmoller & Mueller Piano Company Building (n. d.), Sioux City, Iowa.[2]
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Warehouse (n. d.), Sioux City, Iowa.[2]
Westinghouse Electric Supply Company Building (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Universal Motor Company Building (n. d.), 21st & Leavenworth, Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Wachob-Bender Company Offices (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Corn States Syrum Company Building (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Corby Theatre (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Film Exchange Building (n. d.), Hubbell Estate, Des Moines, Iowa.[2]
Chermot Ballroom, Store and Garage Building (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
J. C. Penney Company Store (n. d.), Beatrice, Nebraska.[2]
Thomas Kilpatrick Company store fixtures (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Simmons Warehouse (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Masonic Temple and Theatre Building (n. d.), Kearney, Nebraska.[2]
Davenport Garage (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Douglas Street Garage (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Yousem Battery & Service Station (n. d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Notes
a. Noel S. Wallace listed himself as employed by Allan in the 1928 City Directory. From 1929-1934 Wallace shared the same office space with Allan in the Brandeis Building. It is during this time that several buildings are designated, by building permit, as the work of Allan & Wallace. The directories, however, never list the two together in partnership, and Allan never mentions a partnership in his application for registration. Wallace moved to a new location in 1935, and continued to practice on his own.
b. In association with Frank J. Paradice, Jr., Architect, Pocatello, Idaho.[14]
c. In association with Eber F. Piers.[15]
d. Wakely [1] gives the birth year of 1889, but Allan [2] gives 1890; the later date matches other sources, including the Legionnaire obituary.[3]
References
1. Arthur C. Wakely, ed. Omaha: The Gate City and Douglas County, Nebraska (Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1917), 2:944.
2. Application for Registration to Practice Professional Engineering or Architecture, Nebraska State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Architects, December 27, 1937. Nebraska State Historical Society RG081 SG2.
3. Legionnaire 35:51 (September 13, 1957), 8:4.
4. Landmarks, Inc., “An Inventory of Historic Omaha Buildings” (Omaha: City of Omaha and Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, 1980) 163, 63, 121.
5. Lynn Bjorkman, “South Omaha Main Street Historic District, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska,” National Register of Historic places, Inventory-Nomination Form (Omaha: Omaha City Planning Department, August 1988).
6. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
7. The American Contractor 38 (November 24, 1917), 57, accessed through Google Books, January 12, 2012, http://books.google.com/books?id=QiFYAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA7-PA57&lpg=RA7-PA57&dq=%22james+t+allan%22+architect&source=bl&ots=o1qlX3HnRH&sig=mw9RaNaLZNqQyjjoTMQx9FQp8PU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=elfMUamwHqrlyQGq8oDYBA&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=%22james%20t%20allan%22%20architect&f=false
8. City of Omaha Planning Department, Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, Database, Query on Architects, May 20, 2002; courtesy of Lynn Meyer, Preservation Planner.
9. AIA Historical Directory of American Architects: A Resource Guide to Finding Information About Past Architects, accessed April 5, 2010, http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/ahd1000522.aspx
10. The Durham Museum, Photo Archive; James T. Allan working drawings, accessed June 27, 2013, http://durhammuseum.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/searchterm/Jewish
11. Meyer Steelforms advertisement, “Engineering & Contracting” 57:21 (May 24, 1922): adv. Section 2, accessed through Google Books on June 27, 2013, http://books.google.com/books?id=baTmAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA3-PA116&lpg=RA3-PA116&dq=%22james+t+allan%22+architect&source=bl&ots=VqtoIgqdCD&sig=XLzlEb5MLTwwlJGxL6SblPXWX2s&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SlfMUcGXMof49QTsl4GQAw&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%22james%20t%20allan%22%20architect&f=false
12. Hospital Management 7:5 (June, 1919), 27, accessed through Google Books on June 27, 2013, http://books.google.com/books?id=Ys0yAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=%22james+t+allan%22+architect&source=bl&ots=8B2TbgCB_r&sig=OkbIzIpv1g7tjTyteojA66FMeGw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1l3MUa_fEca9yAGiuoH4Dw&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=%22james%20t%20allan%22%20architect&f=false
13. Sunderland Bros. advertisement, in Through the Ages Magazine 1:4 (August 1923), 47. “Structures and Monuments in Which Missouri Stone was Used,” Stone Quarries and Beyond, accessed June 27, 2013, http://quarriesandbeyond.org/states/mo/mo-structures_4a.html
14. “Pocatello Greyhound Bus Depot,” Idaho Heritage Website, accessed June 27, 2013, http://www.idahoheritage.org/assets/popups/se/se_greyhound.html
15. “Architecture: A Guide to Art Deco Architecture in America,” The Arts and Crafts Home, accessed June 27, 2013, http://www.achome.co.uk/artdeco/index.php?page=architecture&subpage=america
16. Jennifer Honebrink, “Apartments, Flats and Tenements in Omaha, Nebraska from 1880-1962,” National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form (Omaha, NE: Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, P.C., April 2009), http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/nebraska/MPD/AptsFlatsTenementsOm.pdf
17. “Let Contract for New Town Hall at Ralston,” Omaha World Herald (November 9, 1924), 1:32.
Return to Top of Page
Page Citation
D. Murphy, “James T. Allan (1890-1957), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, May 29, 2023. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, November 22, 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.
