Frederick J. Osterling Explained

Birth Date:October 4, 1865
Death Date:July 5, 1934
Birth Name:Frederick John Osterling
Birth Place:Dravosburg, Pennsylvania
Death Place:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nationality:American
Parents:Philip and Bertha Osterling

Frederick John Osterling (October 4, 1865 – July 5, 1934) was an American architect, practicing in Pittsburgh from 1888.

Biography

Frederick J. Osterling was born to Philip and Bertha Osterling in Dravosburg, Pennsylvania, on October 4, 1865. The Osterling family moved to Allegheny City when Frederick was young. Following his schooling in Allegheny City, Osterling began work in the office of Joseph Stillburg, and was published in American Architect and Building News at age 18.[1] Following a period of European travel, he launched his own practice in 1888. During his career he designed many prominent Pittsburgh buildings, such as the Union Trust Building (1915–17). According to Martin Aurand, Architecture Librarian at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh,[2] Osterling's practice faltered after controversy relating to his anticipated alteration to the landmark H.H. Richardson Allegheny County Courthouse and a public lawsuit filed by the industrialist Henry Clay Frick. Osterling's studio was in a building he designed himself in 1917 at 228 Isabella Street in Pittsburgh's North Shore neighborhood.

Some of Osterling's works are pictured in a book entitled, " F. J. Osterling Architect", Murdoch-Kerr Press, Pittsburg, 1904. The book contains about 40 plates (some lithos, some artists drawings) depicting Osterling's works. These plates include views of the Washington County, Pennsylvania Court House, its portico and law library; the entrance and smoking room of the Syria Temple (Pittsburgh); and the residences H.H. Westinghouse and other notable Western Pennsylvanians. He died on July 5, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Significant buildings designed by Osterling

All buildings are in Pittsburgh unless otherwise stated; italics denote a registered Historic Landmark:

External links

References

Notes and References

  1. http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=ascead;cc=ascead;q1=osterling;rgn=main;view=text;didno=US-PPiU-dar201401 Frederick J. Osterling Photographs, ca. 1889-c1910, DAR.2014.01
  2. Aurand, Frederick J. Osterling and a Tale of Two Buildings, exhibition catalogue, Pennsylvania Heritage 15:2
  3. Book: Kidney, Walter C. . Oakland . 24 . Arcadia Publishing . Charleston, South Carolina . 0-7385-3867-1 . 2005 . 2009-08-28.
  4. Book: Lu Donnelly. H. David Brumble IV. Franklin Toker. Buildings of Pennsylvania: Pittsburg and Western Pennsylvania. 2010. University of Virginia Press. Charlottesville. 9780813928234. 304.
  5. Web site: Agreement submitted to the Board of Trustees by F.J. Osterling. U. Grant Miller Library Digital Archives. Washington & Jefferson College. January 2, 1901. https://archive.today/20120715200952/http://washjeff.cdmhost.com/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p4019coll2&CISOPTR=209&REC=1. dead. July 15, 2012. 2010-04-24.
  6. News: Washington Trust Building up for sale. Observer Reporter. Washington, Pennsylvania. 2010-04-26. 2010-05-07 .
  7. Vanadium: Stained Gglass, Helpful Metal. Joel O.. Lubenau. Western Pennsylvania History. Winter 2011. 94. 4. 52. February 24, 2018.
  8. http://www.post-gazette.com/homes/20030503osterlingp2.asp Post-Gazette, May 3, 2003