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
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
None.
Educational & Professional Associations [a]
“At different times he [C. F. Lytle] 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][e]
Hayes G. Pottenger, architect, Lytle Construction Company, 1909.[d]
Jurgen A. Raven, vice-president, Lytle Company, 1916; president, 1917.[45][h]
William A. Jenkinson, architect for Lytle Company, 1916-1927.[36]
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][g]
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]
Post office, Security Bank, and store building for F. E. Evans (1910), Meadow Grove, Nebraska.[26][27][28][g]
John Harding residence (1910), Meadow Grove, Nebraska.[29]
First National Bank of Hartington (1912), Hartington, Nebraska.[39][40][41][f]
Bank of South Sioux City (1913), South Sioux City, Nebraska.[44][46]
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. Sioux City architect G. W. Burkhead designed the school; Lytle Construction Co. received the construction contract.[15]
d. Sioux City Journal noted in January 1905 that "R. [probably H.] G. Pottenger, of Onawa" had joined Eisentraut as a draughtsman. The Sioux City directory of 1907-8 identified H. G. Pottenger as the secretary/treasurer of the Sioux City architectural firm of Eisentraut-Colby-Pottenger Co. That firm was listed in Sioux City from 1904 to 1909, but opened a Kansas City office in 1907 and at the end of that year Colby and Pottenger retired from the partnership. J. P. Eisentraut relocated to Kansas City, then shifted his practice to South Dakota.[31] SEE also John Philip Eisentraut (1870-1958), Architect.
Hayes G. Pottenger was born in Nebraska (1877-1939) and was listed as an architect in the 1925 Kansas state census. According to the U. S. Census of 9Hayes and his wife Kellie (1884-1927) had three children born in Nebraska (c. 1904), Iowa (c. 1908), and Wisconsin (c. 1917).[32][33]
e. The Sioux City directories identify Richard C. Reinecke as a draughtsman in Eissentraut's office in 1904, then in 1906 Reinecke and William A. Jenkinson were partners in an architectural practice. Reinecke was born in Iowa in 1882.[43] He relocated from Sioux City to St. Paul, Minnesota c. 1910 and joined Franklin Ellerbe's new firm and continued there fifty years until his retirement in 1960. He died at 88 in 1971 in St. Paul. Jenkinson was listed as an architect for the Lytle Company from 1916 to 1927 and was still practicing in Sioux City in 1930. He died in 1939 at age 59.[34][35][36][38][38]
f. The Cedar County News published a perspective "made from the architect's wash drawing, noting that "such drawings do not reproduce well, most of the contrast in the colors being lost in the process."[41] Even the B&W postcard image barely captures the rather striking contrast of the actual materials, with brown brick pilasters; light limestone caps, sills, string course and cornice; and light orange brick between the pilasters. Limestone name plaques on both facades are inscribed "FIRST NATIONAL BANK."
g. The Lytle Companies repeatedly used a distinctive brick on several banks and other commercial buildings in Nebraska and Iowa around 1910, with dark striations fired onto light orange brick. Improvement Bulletin noted in 1909 that "The Lytle Construction Co. are working on the bank building and store at Morehead, Iowa. Sargeant Bluffs face brick are being used in the construction of these buildings."[42] On the Morehead buildings, the striated-patterned bricks are used on four pilasters across the facade. Similar brick highlights the arch above the entrance to Concord State Bank, on two wide pilasters flanking that doorway, and on a band below the corbelled cornice on both street facades. At Meadow Grove, the trio of storefronts feature striated bricks across the entire street facade, but darker-toned bricks were selected to emphasize the bank's arched entry. An advertisement of 1911 in a Sioux City newspaper underscored that "The Lytle Co. Architects and Builders" was not only the contractor, but also the designer of the Meadow Grove block.
h. Jurgen A. Raven (1879-1962) worked as a clerk and bookkeeper for the Lytle Companies as early as 1910. In 1916 city directories listed him as vice-president and in 1917 as president of the Lytle Company. On his death in Sioux City in 1962, he was referred to as a plumbing contractor and his Lytle connection was not mentioned.[[#References[45]]]
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. “Sioux City" Improvement Bulletin (August 15, 1908), 23 (re design by Burkhead); “Homer, Neb.," Improvement Bulletin (December 5, 1908), 34 (construction contract to Lytle Construction Company).
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.
31. "Jottings about town," Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (January 24, 1905) 12; and (December 7, 1907), 12.
32. Ancestry.com. Kansas, U.S., State Census Collection, 1855-1925, s.v. "Hayes G. Pottenger," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.
33. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. "Hayes G. Pottenger" and "Nellie Pottenger," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
34. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, s.v. "Richard Charles Reinecke," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
35. "Services held for St. Paul architect"--Richard C. Reinecke obituary, Minneapolis (Minnesota) Star (March 15, 1971).
36. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, s.v. "William Albert Jenkinson," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
37. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census, s.v. "William A. Jenkinson," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.
38. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. "William Albert Jenkinson," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
39. "The Lytle Construction company has sent men to Hartington...," Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (June 12, 1912), 7.
40. "Building Notes...The Lytle Construction company has completed the plans for the new First National bank building at Hartington, Neb.," Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (April 28, 1912), 8.
41. "Proposed First National Bank Building," Cedar County News (Hartington, Nebraska) (May 9, 1912), 1 (illustrated with perspective).
42. "The Lytle Construction Co...," Improvement Bulletin (July 16, 1909), 21.
43. "Young Sioux City Inventor," Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (January 29, 1905), 29.
44. "South Sioux City, Nebr.," Improvement Bulletin (September 27, 1913), 16.
45. "Jurgen A. Raven" obituary, Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (February 12, 1962), 10.
46. "New Bank Building," Dakota County Record (South Sioux City, Nebraska) (September 18, 1913), 1.
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, April 12, 2024. 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.
