Oscar E. Wenderoth (1871-1938), Architect
Oscar E. Wenderoth was born in February 1871, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father Frederick was a portrait painter.[9] Oscar spent the majority of his career working public architecture, with the Architect of the U. S. Capitol and principally in the Office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury, which Wenderoth headed from 1912-1915. Wenderoth married Sarah Keyser in Philadelphia in 1898. He died on April 11, 1938, survived by Sarah and two daughters.[1][3][4][5][6][8][14][a]
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
1886-1897: draughtsman, then listed as architect by late 1890s, active member of T-Square Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[6][11]
1897-1903: senior architectural draftsman, Supervising Architect of the Treasury, assigned as "foreman" to Philadelphia Mint construction.[5][6][8][10-12][a]
1903-1904: senior architectural draftsman, Supervising Architect's office, Washington, D.C.[6]
1904-1908: head draftsman, for Elliott Woods, Architect of U. S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.[6][11]
1909-1911: head draftsman, architectural firm of Carrere & Hastings, New York City.[3][6][13]
1912-1915: Supervising Architect of the Treasury.[6][12][15]
1915-1920: supervising architect, Weary & Alford Company, Chicago, Illinois.[4][6]
Buildings & Projects
Addition to U. S. Courthouse & Post Office (1911-1916), Lincoln, Nebraska.[15-23][27][28][b]
U. S. Post Office & Courthouse (1912-1916), McCook, Nebraska.[16-19][24][29][c] (RW05-154)
Notes
a. The Wenderoths' wedding announcement in 1898 called him "a prominent architect of Philadelphia. He was formerly connected with the supervising architect's office at Washington, D. C., and is now assistant superintendent of the new Philadelphia Mint."[8] In the 1900 census, Oscar and Sarah are listed with a daughter Dorothy E. (age 1) and a newborn son Fred W. In 1910, Dorothy is joined by a 1-year-old sister Hastings; baby Fred is not listed after 1900.[3-5]
b. Soon after the new federal Courthouse and Post Office was completed in Lincoln, an extension was authorized (at a cost limit of $100,000) for the already-overcrowded facility. Design work began under James Knox Taylor, but the Lincoln business community reacted strongly against a "lean-to" addition affordable under the authorized cost limit. The project was advertised for bids but none within the budget were received. Rather than revising the plans to meet the budget, construction was delayed and additional funds were sought. An added $75,000 was authorized in 1913. Wenderoth's reports of 1913 and 1914 noted the contract for the extension had still not been awarded. Finally in 1915 he could report "Contract in force for extension." Even after that contract was in place, Lincoln business interests pressed Wenderoth for changes in early 1915, dissatisfied that the main entrance would be off P Street, and the former wide entrances and lobby off 10th St. were planned to be narrowed. James A. Wetmore, Wenderoth's successor, declined the request. Construction proceeded and Wetmore noted in 1916 that the extension was occupied that year.[15-23][27][28]
c. In June of 1912, the Supervising Architect's office was in transition between James Knox Taylor's tenure as Supervising Architect, and the succession of Oscar Wenderoth. "Acting Supervising Architect" James A. Wetmore communicated with representatives of McCook, Nebraska that "working drawings are about completed" and almost ready for preparation of specifications for McCook's USPO and federal courthouse, so construction should begin by early fall "If no unforeseen delay occurs."[24] Advertisements for bids were announced by late September of 1912.[25] The 1912 solicitation must have been unsuccessful, as Wenderoth's annual reports of 1913 and 1914 noted that the cost limit for the McCook building had been increased from $95,000 to $120,000; adding the project was not yet under contract. By 1915, the contract was in force for the building's construction and in 1916 construction was completed and the building was occupied.[16-18][26][29]
References
1. Henry F. Withey and Elsie Rathburn Withey, Biographical Dictionary of Architects (Deceased) (Los Angeles: Hennessey & Ingalls, Inc., 1970), 644.
2. AIA Historical Directory of American Architects: A Resource Guide to Finding Information About Past Architects, accessed August 10, 2010, http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/ahd3001038.aspx
3. 1910 United States Census, s.v. “Oscar Wenderoth,” Manhattan, New York County, New York, accessed through HeritageQuestOnline.com.
4. 1920 United States Census, s.v. “Oscar Wenderoth,” Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, accessed through HeritageQuestOnline.com.
5. 1900 United States Census, s.v. “O. Wenderoth,” Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, accessed through HeritageQuestOnline.com.
6. Antoinette J. Lee, "Oscar Wenderoth" in Architects to the Nation: The Rise and Decline of the Supervising Architect's Office (Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, 2000), 216-222.
7. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. "Oscar J. Wenderoth" [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
8. "Wenderoth-Keyser" (wedding announcement), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Times (June 16, 1898), 5.
9. Ancestry.com. 1880 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Oscar Wenderoth" [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.
10. Ancestry.com. U.S., Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863-1959, s.v. "Oscar Wenderoth," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
11. "T-Square Club Member Ahead--Oscar Wenderoth is Appointed Senior Draughtsman to the Supervising Architect of the United States," The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Times (March 25, 1897), 6.
12. "New Mint Foreman--Oscar Wenderoth Appointed to take Charge of the Building," The Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Inquirer (September 25, 1897), 7.
13. "New Supervising Architect," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (June 7, 1912), 3.
14. "Former Treasury Architect Dies--Oscar Wenderoth Retired in 1915 After Three Years' Service," The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.) (April 16, 1938), 14.
15. James Knox Taylor, Annual Report of the Supervising Architect to the Secretary of the Treasury for the year ending June 30, 1912, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1912), 105 (Alliance, Aurora, Beatrice, Chadron), 106 (Columbus, Fairbury, Falls City, Fremont); 107 (Fremont, Grand Island, Holdrege, Kearney, Lincoln); 108 (North Platte, Plattsmouth, York).
16. Oscar Wenderoth, Annual Report of the Supervising Architect to the Secretary of the Treasury for the year ending June 30, 1913, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1913), xx (Alliance, Aurora, Beatrice, Chadron), xx (Columbus, Fairbury, Falls City, Fremont); xxx (Fremont, Grand Island, Holdrege, Kearney); 210 (Lincoln); 230 (McCook); (North Platte, Plattsmouth, York).
17. Oscar Wenderoth, Annual Report of the Supervising Architect to the Secretary of the Treasury for the year ending June 30, 1914, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1914), xx (Alliance, Aurora, Beatrice, Chadron), xx (Columbus, Fairbury, Falls City, Fremont); xxx (Fremont, Grand Island, Holdrege, Kearney); 204 (Lincoln); 224 (McCook); xxx (North Platte, Plattsmouth, York).
18. Oscar Wenderoth, Annual Report of the Supervising Architect to the Secretary of the Treasury for the year ending June 30, 1915, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1915), xx (Alliance, Aurora, Beatrice, Chadron), xx (Columbus, Fairbury, Falls City, Fremont); xxx (Fremont, Grand Island, Holdrege, Kearney); 218 (Lincoln); 238 (McCook);xxx (North Platte, Plattsmouth, York).
19. James A. Wetmore, Annual Report of the Supervising Architect to the Secretary of the Treasury for the year ending June 30, 1916, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1916), xx (Alliance, Aurora, Beatrice, Chadron), xx (Columbus, Fairbury, Falls City, Fremont); xxx (Fremont, Grand Island, Holdrege, Kearney); 230 (Lincoln); 236 (McCook);xxx (North Platte, Plattsmouth, York).
20. "More Changes in Postoffice Plans--Further Delay to Start of Extensive [sic, should be Extension] on Lincoln Federal Building," Lincoln (Nebraska) Star (August 4, 1912), 1.
21. "Treasury Department. Office of the Supervising Architect...Sealed Proposals will be received..." [advertisement for bids to construct federal building extension], Lincoln (Nebraska) Star (October 19, 1912), 7.
22. "Addition to Lincoln Postoffice Held Up--Will try to get appropriations to erect a wing identical with that now built...," Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald (December 5, 1912), 1.
23. "That Building Extension," Lincoln (Nebraska) State Journal (June 4, 1913), 4.
24. "Working Should Start in the Early Fall," McCook (Nebraska) Tribune (July 1, 1912), 1.
25. "Ask for Bids," McCook (Nebraska) Republican (September 27, 1912), 1; "Invitation for Proposals," McCook (Nebraska) Tribune (October 7, 1912), 3.
26. James A. Wetmore, Annual Report of the Supervising Architect to the Secretary of the Treasury for the year ending June 30, 1917, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1917), xx (Alliance, Aurora, Beatrice, Chadron), xx (Columbus, Fairbury, Falls City, Fremont); xxx (Fremont, Grand Island, Holdrege, Kearney); 252 (McCook);xxx (North Platte, Plattsmouth, York).
27. "Change in Plans Possible--East Doors and Lobby of Lincoln Postoffice Building May Remain as at Present," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (February 6, 1915), 1.
28. "No Change in Postoffice Plans--Commercial Club Request Is Turned Down by Committee at Washington," Lincoln (Nebraska) Star (June 14, 1915), 1.
29. "Postoffice in New Quarters--The Handsomest, Most Modern and Elegant Building in Every Detail in Southwestern Nebraska," McCook (Nebraska) Tribune (September 18, 1916), 1.
Additional Sources
Entry in Henry F. Withey, A.I.A., and Elsie Rathburn Withey, Biographical Dictionary of American Architects (Deceased) (Los Angeles: New Age Publishing Company, 1956. Facsimile edition, Hennessey & Ingalls, Inc., 1970).
Page Citation
D. Murphy & E. F. Zimmer, “Oscar E. Wenderoth (1871-1938), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, April 7, 2015, updated December 6, 2024 http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 10, 2025.
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