William LeBaron Jenny (1832-1907), Architect
In his only known connection to Nebraska, William LeBaron Jenny, a prominent Chicago architect, declined an invitation to “submit sketches” for the proposed Trinity Cathedral in Omaha, 1879.[1][2] The cathedral was ultimately designed by Henry G. Harrison (1813-1895), Architect.
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.
References
1. W. L. B. Jenny to J. M. Woolworth, April 28, 1879. From church files; copy of letter in site file DO09:0126-009. The submittal of sketches as part of an interview process was common at the time, but was considered “free work” and unethical by many architects who refused to participate.
2. For more on Jenny’s career, see Henry F. Withey and Elsie Rathburn Wiley. Biograaphical Dictionary of American Architects (Deceased). Los Angeles: Hennessey & Ingalls, Inc., 1970, 324.
Page Citation
D. Murphy, “William LeBaron Jenny (1832-1907), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, January 29, 2015. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 10, 2025.
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