Frederick W. Keith Explained

Frederick W Keith
Nationality:	American
Birth Date:	1879
Birth Place:	Iowa
Practice:	F. W. Keith, Keith & Kurke
Significant Buildings:	Indianola Public Library, Bismarck Public Library, Gillette Hall, Beulah School, Liberty Memorial Building

Frederick W. Keith (1879-1954) was an American architect, beginning his career in Indianola, Iowa but gaining prominence while practicing in Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Fargo, North Dakota. After a successful independent practice, he joined forces with William F. Kurke as Keith & Kurke.

Life

Frederick Keith was born in Iowa in 1879, worked as an art professor for Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, where he designed an auditorium that was never built.^[1] He married Eulah Goodhue of Indianola on January 15, 1902 ^[2] and they had a son in December 1902.^[3] After the Carnegie Foundation awarded $10,000 to Indianola, Keith partnered with a local contractor named W.J. Beymer ^[4] and they opened an architectural firm in order to submit a bid for the design and construction of Indianola's free public library. The short-lived firm of Beymer & Smith submitted the lowest of six bids and built Indianola's Carnegie using local craftsmen and suppliers.^[5] Keith, his wife and son left Indianola around 1905. He worked as designer and draftsman for Chicago architect Jarvis Hunt until 1914, when he went to Grand Forks. There, he worked for William J. Edwards, a prominent local designer.^[6] In December 1915 he established an office in Grand Forks for himself.^[7] In June 1916 he went west to Bismarck, the city with which he is most associated.^[6] With the exception of a time of graduate work in Chicago from 1918–19,^[8] he practiced independently until he associated with Fargo architect William F. Kurke in 1920. Keith & Kurke were the designated state architects, and designed the Liberty Memorial Building in Bismarck as well as many buildings on the campuses of the state schools. Keith & Kurke dissolved in 1926, and Keith returned to Chicago. He died there in 1954.

Architectural work

Frederick W. Keith, 1915-1920

• 1903 Indianola Public Library, 106 West Boston, Indianola, Iowa (now owned by the Des Moines Metro Opera)
• 1916- Henry H. Steele House, 103 W Ave B, Bismarck, North Dakota^[9]
• 1916 - Wishek City Hall, 21 Centennial St, Wishek, North Dakota^[10]
  • Demolished c.2010
• 1917 - Gillette Hall, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota^[11]
• 1917 - Bismarck Public Library, 517 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, North Dakota^[12]
  • Demolished
• 1918 - Armory, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota^[13]
• 1920 - Beulah School, 202 2nd St NW, Beulah, North Dakota^[14]

Keith & Kurke, 1920-1926

• 1920 - Liberty Memorial Building, 604 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, North Dakota^[15]
• 1921 - Stickney Hall, Dickinson State University, Dickinson, North Dakota^[16]
• 1922 - May Hall, Dickinson State University, Dickinson, North Dakota^[17]
• 1922 - Morrill Hall, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota^[18]
• 1922 - School of Law, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota.]^[19]
• 1923 - Graichen Gymnasium, Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota^[20]
• 1923 - Herbst Dept. Store, 16 Broadway N, Fargo, North Dakota^[21]
• 1923 - Leach Public Library, 417 2nd Ave N, Wahpeton, North Dakota
• 1925 - A. O. U. W. Building (Old), 811 2nd Ave N, Fargo, North Dakota^[22]
• 1926 - Riley Building, 10 Roberts St N, Fargo, North Dakota^[23]

Notes and References

1. Indianola Herald, March 28, 1901
2. Advocate Tribune, January 16, 1902
3. Advocate Tribune December 25, 1902
4. Indianola, Herald, April 16, 1903
5. Advocate Tribune, June 11, 1903
6. Bismarck (ND) Tribune 18 June 1916: 3.
7. American Contractor 1 June 1916: 93.
8. Bismarck (ND) Tribune 28 Sept. 1918: 5.
9. . 1980.
10. . 2005.
11. Stone Dec. 1917: 655.
12. Library Journal June 1917: 484.
13. American Contractor 12 Oct. 1918: 30.
14. Engineering and Contracting 31 March 1920: 66.
15. Engineering and Contracting 2 June 1920: 76.
16. American Contractor 11 Sept. 1920: 53.
17. Engineering News-Record 16 March 1922: 120.
18. 1986.
19. American Contractor 29 July 1922: 52.
20. State Normal School at Valley City Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1995.
21. Bridgemen's Magazine 1923: 177.
22. Engineering News-Record 1925: 376.
23. . 1983.