Hugo K. Graf Explained

Hugo K. Graf^[1] (1888–1953) was an American architect from St. Louis, Missouri, who designed numerous significant buildings.

Biography

His father was Frederick A. Graf and his grandfather an engraver from France who had immigrated to the U.S. Graf attended Central High School (now known as Central Visual and Performing Arts High School), St. Louis School of Fine Arts, and Washington University's School of Architecture. He was married to Melida Gratiot and he had a daughter, Mrs. Edwin F. Guth, Jr.^[2]

An architect from 1914, he was in private practice from 1934 through the end of his life. Graf's work includes the Rodgers Theatre Building at 224 N. Broadway in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Seven-Up Company Headquarters at 1300-16 Convention Plaza (Formerly Delmar) in St. Louis, Missouri. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

He partnered with Wilber Tyson Trueblood. He served as president of the St. Louis Architectural Club.^[3] He spoke publicly on design.^[4]

Death and legacy

He died of a heart attack at his home in Webster Groves, Missouri in March 22, 1953.^[5] He was buried in Valhalla Cemetery.^[6] The Missouri Historical Society has a collection of his papers.^[7]

Notable buildings

• University City High School with Trueblood (ca. 1930)^[8]
• Jackson Park Elementary School in University City with Wilber Tyson Trueblood (ca. 1933)^[9]
• St. Louis Municipal Opera (The Muny)'s stage and lighting towers (1935)^[10]
• Bethesda-Dilsworth Memorial Home addition (1949)^[11]
• Rodgers Theatre in Poplar Bluff, Missouri (ca. 1949)^[12]
• 7 Up Headquarters (1950); Ravenna Mosaics did tilework for the building^[13]
• Arlin Oldsmobile Company building (1952)^[14]

Notes and References

1. News: 1928-01-08. How a St. Louis Architect Introduced Beauty into Business and Why It Pays. 76. St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 2021-05-08.
2. News: 1953-03-23. Hugo Graf, Architect, Dies; Designed Public Buildings. 22. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2021-05-08.
3. Web site: Progressive Architecture. Eugene. Clute. Russell Fenimore. Whitehead. Kenneth. Reid. Elizabeth L.. Cleaver. May 4, 1924. Reinhold Publishing Corporation. Google Books.
4. News: 1945-02-22. Hugo Graf to Speak. 8. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2021-05-08.
5. News: 1953-03-26. H.K. Graf Funeral Held in Webster Groves. 7. St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 2021-05-08.
6. News: 1953-03-24. Hugo K. Graf, Architect, to Be Buried Today. 28. St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 2021-05-08.
7. Web site: Archived copy . 2020-05-04 . 2016-07-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160721181739/http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/stlouis/s0776.pdf . dead .
8. Web site: University City High School – St Louis Patina. 19 July 2018 .
9. Web site: Jackson Park Elementary School, University City – St Louis Patina. 18 July 2018 .
10. News: May 12, 1935. The Municipal Operas New Light Towers, illustrated by Hugo Graf. 1935. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 63. newspapers.com.
11. News: 1949-02-27. Builds $100,000 Addition to Home for the Aged. 23. St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 2021-05-08.
12. Web site: Photo gallery: Birth of the Rodgers Theatre (5/30/19). 30 May 2019.
13. Web site: 5102: 7-Up Bldg., St. Louis, MO; H. Graf, Architect, 1950-1951 | ArchivesSpace Public Interface. archives.slu.edu.
14. News: 1952-01-20. New Auto Sale, Service Plant Is Completed. 23. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2021-05-08.