Henry Donald Frankfurt (1884-1963), Architect
Henry Donald Frankfurt was born on October 11, 1884 in Dubuque, Iowa of German-born parents, Fredrika and Henry Frankfurt. The family lived in Omaha by 1910, where father Henry was a porter for a dry goods store and Henry D. was listed as an architect "making plans." His
younger sister Martha was a stenographer in an architect's office--perhaps for her brother. Henry D. was already married to Frieda Luchsinger and they had their first child (of six), a daughter.[4][5][7] Henry Donald practiced architecture in Omaha for a decade between 1907 and 1917, specializing in residential projects, including single-family dwellings, duplexes, and apartment buildings, with an emphasis on the later. Henry and Freda left Nebraska for Texas by 1918, where Henry registered for the draft, indicating that he was an architect but that he was "unable to work."[5] H. D. later lived with his family and practiced architecture in Phoenix, Arizona, and in Houston, Texas. He died on June 4, 1963 in Houston.[7][28-31
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
Columbus, Nebraska, 1911
Omaha, Nebraska, 1910-1920
Educational & Professional Associations
1907-1909: architect, Omaha, Nebraska.[8][9]
ca. 1909: architect and partner, Willis & Frankfurt, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.
1910: architect/superintendent, 840 Omaha National Bank Building, Omaha, Nebraska.
1911: architect, Columbus, Nebraska.[11][23][b]
c. 1912-1917: associated with Hastings & Heyden realty firm (specializing in apartment houses), Omaha, Nebraska.[12][23][d]
1913-1915: architect, 1614 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.
1918: architect "Unable to work," Arlington, Texas.[10]
1920: secretary-treasurer, New-Tex Refining Co. & New-Tex Pipeline Co., Wichita Falls, Texas.[5]
1927-1930: architect, Phoenix, Arizona.[28][32][f]
1934-1963: architect, Houston, Texas.[29-31]
Buildings & Projects
Dated
Colonial Hotel Apartments (1909), 144 S. 38th, Omaha, Nebraska. (DO09:0319-033)
Residence for J.P. Shirley (1911), Albion, Nebraska.[6]
Bungalow for M.G. Needham (1911), Albion, Nebraska.[6]
House (1913), 1721 S. 12th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0115-124)
Apartment (1913), 2405 Evans St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0227-011)
Rowhouse (1913), 2919 Dodge, Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0209-060)
Rowhouse (1913), 811 Worthington Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0064-009)
Douglas Apartments (1913-1914), 213 S. 26th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[3][12][d] (DO09:0209-010)
Hudson Apartments (1913), 207 S. 26th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0209-009)
Apartment (1913), 206 Paxton Court, Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0209-011)
H. Frankfurt house (1914), 1301 S 27th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[1:72][3]
Stratford Terrace Apartments (1914), 2922 Jackson, Omaha, Nebraska.[1:138][3][20 (DO09:0207-044)
Harney Apartments (1914), 3005 Harney St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0210-017)
Apartment (1914), 315 S. 27th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0209-029)
House (1914), 1303 S. 27th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0203-002)
Rowhouse (1914), 618 N. 33rd St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0214-007)
Rowhouse (1914), 624 N. 33rd St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0214-008)
Eighteen-unit apartment house for J. W. Elwood (1915), S. 28th & Dewey, Omaha, Nebraska.[27]
Duplex (1915), 523 Park Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0207-056)
Duplex (1915), 2418 Hickory St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0201-016)
Duplex (1915), 2508 Hickory St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0201-019)
Duplex (1915), 2422 Hickory St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0201-017)
Duplex (1915), 2502 Hickory St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0201-018)
Berkeley Apartments (1915), 649 S. 19th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[2][3][20] (DO09:0122-052) National Register narrative
Wayne Apartments (1915), 2719 Dewey Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0207-004)
Dewey Apartments (1915), 3301 Dewey Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[3][20] (DO09:0208-022)
Hotel Irwin (1915), 608 S. 17th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0122-064)
Victoria Apartments (1915), 317 S. 27th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[3][20] (DO09:0209-030)
Apartment (1915), 215 Paxton Court, Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0209-013)
Mayfair Apartments (ca. 1915), 2222 Howard, Omaha, Nebraska.[2] (DO09:0122-016)
Rowhouse (1915), 610 N. 33rd St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0214-005)
Rowhouse (1915), 614 N. 33rd St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO09:0214-006)
Carey Dry Cleaning Plant (1915), 24th & Lake (2401-3 N. 24th), Omaha, Nebraska.[14][15]
Idalia apartment house (1916), 115 N. 33rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska.[16][20][c]
Melrose Apartments (1916), 602 N. 33rd, Omaha, Nebraska.[2][3][16][c][d] (DO09:0214-003) National Register narrative
Adelaide Apartments (1916), 4914 Dodge St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3] (DO090:0433-012)
Claremont Inn (1916), 17th & Jackson, Omaha, Nebraska.[20-22]
Milton Apartments for Hastings & Heyden (1916), 1954 Jones St., Omaha, Nebraska.[1:139][3][20][d] (DO09:0122-048)
Residence for George F. Gilmore (1916), vicinity of Fifty-fourth & Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska.[13]
The Elwood apartment house (1916-1917), southeast corner of S. 49th & Dodge, Omaha, Nebraska.[17-19][e]
Lincoln apartments for Frank Benbow (1917), 44th & Dodge, Omaha, Nebraska.[24]
Fairview Apartments (1917), 706 N. 50th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[3][25][26] (DO09:0435-006)
Undated
Brown-Neslund House (n.d.), 120 West 9th, Cozad, Nebraska. (DS02-025)
Publications
Frankfurt, H. D. Architectural Designs (Omaha, Nebraska: Architectural Department, Hastings & Heyden Realty Co.) 1916.
Accessed on-line January 6, 2025 at https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/ascdigitizedbooks/1/
Notes
a. Not found in federal census in U.S. in 1930. Texas is one of the few states included in the Heritage Quest file for 1930.
b. Frankfurt was listed in the Columbus, Nebraska, city directory with a residence and architectural office in Columbus. He also posted a brief advertisement in Omaha newspapers "For the Builder. Send 50 c[ents] for my new 1911 book on modern home-building. H. D. Frankfurt, architect, Columbus, Neb."[11]
c. Early in 1916 an Omaha newspaper published Frankfurt's rendering for the "Idelia" apartment house, a 12-unit project for Hastings & Heyden realty company. The text accompanying the rendering identified the location as 33rd & California, but that is where Hastings & Heyden built "The Melrose" in 1916. An advertisement by Frankfurt identified the "Adalia's" location as 33rd & Dodge Streets. It remains extant (in 2025) at 115 N. 33rd St.[16][20]
d. Frankfurt designed numerous apartment houses for the Hastings & Heyden Realty Co. (Bryon R. Hastings and Edward T. Heyden) between 1913 and 1917.
e. Frankfurt's elevation drawing shows the long west elevation of a three-story, 12-bay building on a site sloping down from left (north) to south, a high basement, and twin entrances. The roof appears flat (i.e., it is not visible in the elevation) and four "lunettes" ornament the cornice, two flanking each entrance bay. The brief text beneath the elevation notes that the apartment house is "to be erected this year by J. W. Elwood," "for which plans are now practically completed by Architect H. D. Frankfurt."[17] Eighteen months later the Elwood was advertised by the prolific Drake Construction Company as "Open for Inspection Today," illustrated with a rendering of a similar design but featuring tall hipped roofs with overhanging eaves.[18] Two decades after The Elwood was built, J. W. Elwood announced plans to develop a $200,000 residential and commercial structure at 35th & Farnam, to be designed by J. L. Conley, who the announcement identified as the designer of the original "Elwood" apartment house 20 years earlier.[19] Conley had been employed by Drake Construction in 1917 and 1918, so it is credible that he may have contributed to "The Elwood's" design or construction superintendence, but primary credit for the 1916-1917 project appears to belong to Frankfurt.(EFZ)
f. The 1930 u. S. Census lists Henry D. & Frieda Frankfurt and their six children (five daughters and a son) in Phoenix, where H. D. was an architect. Their 21-year-old daughter Bernice was an architect's stenographer. [28] In 1928 he was designing houses "of Spanish design" for a small subdivision in Phoenix. In 1928 Frankfurt was described as an "architect who recently cam to Phoenix from Los Angeles, attracted here by the building activity of this section." He was identified as designer of a planned four-unit apartment house in Phoenix.[32][33][34] The 1940 Census found the family in Houston, with the household including Henry D., Frieda, their son and his wife, and two daughters. In 1950 H. D. and Frieda were still in Houston where he still was identified as "architect."[28-30] He died in 1963 and was interred in Houston.[31]
References
1. Landmarks, Inc., "An Inventory of Historic Omaha Buildings" (Omaha: City of Omaha and Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, 1980).
2. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
3. City of Omaha Planning Department, Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, Database, Query on Architects, May 20, 2002; courtesy of Lynn Meyer, Preservation Planner.
4. 1910 United States Census, s.v. “Henry E. Frankfurt,” Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, accessed through HeritageQuestOnline.com.
5. Wichita Falls, Texas City directory; and Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Henry Frankfurt," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
6. "Columbus, Nebraska," American Contractor 32:21 (May 27, 1911): 63.
7. Ancestry.com. Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
8. Hendricks' commercial register of the United States (New York: S. E. Hendricks Co., 1891-1900), 22. Accessed October 10, 2018 via https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015055430030;view=1up;seq=136
9. "H. D. Frankfurt, architect, has opened an office at 51 Douglas block," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Bee (April 21, 1907), 14.
10. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. s.v. "Henry Donald Frankfurt," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
11. "For the Builder," Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald (May 15, 1911), 6.
12. "Builders Notes" (mentioning fact-finding trip to Chicago for Hastings & Hayden on apartment house trends) and "The Apartment House" (illustrating "The Douglas" with photo and floor plan), Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News (December 14, 1913), 33.
13. "Watch Omaha Grow" (featuring residence designed by Frankfurt), Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News (March 11, 1916), 6.
14. "The Carey Dry Cleaning Co. is having plans drawn...," [[Our Sunday Visitor (Omaha, Nebraska) (September 3, 1915), 5.
15. "The Carey Cleaning Co.'s New Plant," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News (May 7, 1916), 10 (illustrated).
16. "Here is an Apartment House That Will Introduce Some New Ideas," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News (February 20, 1916), 64.
17. "Here is Front Elevation of 'The Elwood' Apartment House to be Erected in Dundee this Year at a Cost of $75,000," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News (April 23, 1916), 22.
18. "Elwood 'Omaha's Most Beautiful Apartments'..." (illustrated advertisement), Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald (October 21, 1917), 21.
19. "New Resident Area Planned--Elwood to Build on Farnam Tract," Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald (October 29, 1939), 9.
20. "H. D. Frankfurt, Architect...Specialist in the designing of apartment houses..." (advertisement listing 8 projects), Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News (May 7, 1916), 10.
21. "Watch Omaha Grow...This is the new Claremont Inn, an apartment house and hotel...," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News, (April 15, 1916), 8 (illustrated with photo).
22. "Claremont Inn Unique and Popular in City," Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald (April 16, 1916), 28.
23. "Architect Frankfurt Now in New Offices," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News (January 7, 1917), 34.
24. "Plans being prepared for Lincoln apartments to be built at Forty-fourth and Dodge Streets for Frank Benbow," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News (February 11, 1917), 33 (illustrated with aerial perspective).
25. "H. D. Frankfurt, Architect, Builds $45,000 'Fairview Apartments'...for himself," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily News (April 29, 1917), 38 (with perspective sketch).
26. "Otto Meyer Buys New Fairview Apartments...Consideration about $65,000," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Bee (December 22, 1917), 15.
27. "New Type of Apartment Minimum Rent About $25, Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald (January 17, 1915), 27 (illustrated with elevation sketch).
28. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Henry D. Frankfurt," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.
29. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Henry D. Frankfurt," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
30. Ancestry.com. 1950 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Henry D. Frankfurt," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
31. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. "Henry D. Frankfurt," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
32. "Work Begun on 'Dream Homes' in Aldea Del Ray," (Phoenix) Arizona Republican (December 11, 1927), 11 (illustrated with sketch of 3 houses).
33. "Plans Announced for $15,000 Four-Family Apartment House," (Phoenix) Arizona Republican (February 26, 1928), 20.
34. "Exotic Beauty Found in Aldea Del Ray," (Phoenix) Arizona Republican (March 4, 1928), 26 (illustrated with photo of model home and Frankfurt aerial perspective sketch of "Aldea Del Ray---The Spanish Village").
35. "Proposed $200,000 North Central Avenue Buildings," (Phoenix) Arizona Republican (June 3, 1928), 37.
36. "City's Large Apartment House," and "Moeller Apartment House Fully Rrnted and Occupied As Soon As It Is Completed," (Phoenix) Arizona Republican (January 20, 1929) 27 (with photo of Moeller Apartments).
Page Citation
D. Murphy & E. F. Zimmer, “Henry Donald Frankfurt (1884-1963), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, January 6, 2025. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, January 6, 2025.
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