Lytle Companies, Contractors and Architects
The ‘’’Lytle Construction Company” was incorporated in Sioux City, Iowa in 1903 by Iowa-born Charles F. Lyle (1869-1938), who had previously worked in real estate and plumbing. He served as the company president, with his wife Lena (‘’nee Klingemann’’) as secretary/treasurer and his brother Leonard as vice-president.[1][2][5] The company initially undertook municipal sewer and water works projects in Iowa and Nebraska, as well as substantial buildings including the three-story Lytle Block in Sioux City.[3] They also built numerous smaller commercial structures around the region, including several Nebraska banks and stores, which are the focus of this page.
In addition to bidding on projects designed by outside architects, as early as 1905 the company announced establishment of an architectural department. That apparently led in 1910 to the Lytles incorporating the Lytle Company (with the same officers as Lytle Construction Company) which advertised as “Designers [and] Builders” who “…solicit the designing and complete construction of brick or concrete buildings, not only in Sioux City, but in any of the surrounding states.”[6][7]
Charles Lytle resigned as president of the companies in 1914, reportedly due to “impaired health,” and his brother Leonard stepped up to the presidency. But in the mid-1910s Charles also formed “Lytle Investment Co.” focusing on investment and real estate, and “C. F. Lytle Construction Company.” He also served a term in the Iowa legislature in 1917 and campaigned actively (albeit unsuccessfully) for a nomination as U. S. Senator in 1932.[8] Charles Lytle remained an active Sioux City contractor into the 1930s, and was called a “prominent Sioux City contractor” when he died in 1938.[4][9]
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.
Contents
[hide]Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
None.
Educational & Professional Associations [a]
“At different times he attended school in his native county [Johnson County, Iowa], in Cedar Rapids and in Storm Lake…but his text-books were put aside when he reached the age of sixteen…” [4]
Charles F. Lytle, founding president, Lytle Construction Company, 1903-1914; president, Lytle Company, 1910-1914; president, C. F. Lytle Construction Company, c. 1917.
Leonard Lytle, founding vice-president, Lytle Construction Company, 1903-1912 and Lytle Company, 1910-1914; president both companies, 1914-1916.
Lena E. Lytle, founding secretary/treasurer of Lytle Construction Company, 1903-1914 and Lytle Company, 1910-1914.
Reinecke & Jenkinson, “architectural department of Lytle Construction Co.,” 1905.[11]
Hays G. Pottenger, architect, Lytle Construction Company, 1909.
Jurgen A. Raven, vice-president, Lytle Company, 1916; president, 1917.
Other Associations
Iowa State Senator, 1917.[8]
Candidate (unsuccessful) for Democratic nomination, U. S. Senator from Iowa, 1932.[8][b]
Buildings & Projects
Waterworks (c. 1903-1904), Laurel, Nebraska.[3]
Homer State Bank (1908), Homer, Nebraska.[12]
Nebraska State Bank (1908), Dakota City, Nebraska.[13]
Addition to Dakota City National Bank (1908), Dakota City, Nebraska.[14]
Two-story school house (1908-1909), Homer, Nebraska.[15][c]
Bank building for D. T. and W. S. Gilman (1909), Waterbury, Nebraska.[16]
First National Bank of Arlington (1909), Arlington, Nebraska.[17]
Office building for Dr. William Ream (1909), Walthill, Nebraska.[18]
Concord State Bank (1909), Concord, Nebraska.[19]
Remodeling I. O. O. F. building (1909), Arlington, Nebraska.[20]
Brick bakery for H. Lamment (1909), Winnebago, Nebraska.[21]
1-story brick building for John A. Wachter (1909), Pender, Nebraska.[22]
D. J. O’Conner residence (1909), Homer, Nebraska.[23]
Pender National Bank (1910), Pender, Nebraska.[24]
2-story brick garage (1910), Leigh, Nebraska.[25]
2-story brick Security Bank (1910), Meadow Grove, Nebraska.[26]
Post office building (1910), Meadow Grove, Nebraska.[27]
1-story brick and stone store building for F. E. Evans (1910), Meadow Grove, Nebraska.[28]
John Harding residence (1910), Meadow Grove, Nebraska.[29]
Citizens National Bank (1919), Norfolk, Nebraska.[30]
Notes
a. "Professional Associations" is drawn mostly from Sioux City directories.
b. An early (1904) description of Charles Lytle noted “He erected the building known as the Swasey block, in opposition to all the labor unions of Sioux City…” and “in politics is a Republican.” Times change. In 1932 he campaigned vigorously for the Democratic nomination for U. S. Senate with “the endorsement of organized labor throughout the state of Iowa.” He lost to a candidate from Dubuque.[1][8]
c. designed by G. W. Burkhead (Sioux City archt) per “Sioux City,” ‘’improvement Bulletin’’ (August 15, 1908), 23; construction contract to Lytle Construction Company per “Homer, Neb.,’ ‘’Improvement Bulletin’’ (December 5, 1908), 34.[15]
References
1. Marks, Constant R., Ed.. “Charles F. Lytle,” Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa, Chicago: The S. J. Clark Publishing Company, 1904; 568-571.
2. “Business Briquettes…C. F. Lytle… (re incorporation of Lytle Contracting Company), Improvement Bulletin (September 26, 1903), 12.
3. “The Lytle Construction Co.,” Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (December 20, 1904), 33 (with photograph of “The Lytle Block. Built by the Lytle Construction Co.”)
4. Brigham, Johnson, “Charles F. Lytle,” Iowa, its history and its foremost ciitzens, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; V.III: 1015-1016.
5. Ancestry.com. Nebraska, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1855-1908, s.v. “Charles F. Lytle,” [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017.
6. “News of the Week,” Improvement Bulletin (January 15, 1910), 20.
7. Sioux City directory, 1917, 54.
8. “Vote for Charles F. Lytle…A Friend of Labor,” Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (June 3, 1932), 15.
9. “Lytle Funeral May Be Friday,” Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (May 11, 1938), 9.
10. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. “Charles F. Lytle,” interred Sioux City) [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
11. “Personal and General…,” Improvement Bulletin (February 4, 1905), 17.
12. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (July 18, 1908), 23.
13. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (September 26, 1908), 21.
14. “Business Buildings,” Improvement Bulletin (October 10, 1908), 24.
15. designed by G. W. Burkhead (Sioux City archt) per “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (August 15, 1908), 23; construction contract to Lytle Construction Company per “Homer, Neb.,’ Improvement Bulletin (December 5, 1908), 34.
16. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (January 30, 1909), 21; SEE same publication, (May 1, 1909), 23.
17. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (March 1, 1909), 23.
18. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (May 22, 1909), 21.
19. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (May 22, 1909), 21.
20. Improvement Bulletin (June 5, 1909), 20.
21. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (July 24, 1909), 22.
22. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (July 31, 1909), 19.
23. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (August 14, 1909), 19.
24. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (February 26, 1910), 24. (Lytle Co., preparing plans); “Business Buildings…Pender, Neb.,” Improvement Bulletin (Feb. 26, 1910), 28 (Lytle Construction Co. has contract to erect).
25. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (February 26, 1910), 24.
26. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (March 19, 1910), 24.
27. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (March 19, 1910), 24.
28. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (April 23, 1910), 23.
29. “Sioux City,” Improvement Bulletin (May 28, 1910), 25.
30. “Special Notices…Bids will be taken…,” Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (July 23, 1919), 13.
Page Citation
E. F. Zimmer & D. Murphy “Lytle Companies, Contractors and Architects,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, November 23, 2023. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 23, 2025. 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.
