James Douglas (architect) explained

James O. Douglas (1823 – unknown) was an American architect in Wisconsin. He has been called a "noted Milwaukee society architect".[1]

Douglas was born in 1823 in Scotland, emigrated to Canada in 1840, and came to Milwaukee in 1843.[2] In Milwaukee he worked as a "carpenter and master workman," working on the old city hall, St. Gall's Church, St. John's Cathedral, and Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). He reportedly helped build Milwaukee's first bridge, c.1840, over the Milwaukee River.[3]

In 1847 he and his brother started a design and construction partnership. By 1859, "James and Alexander Douglas, Architects & Builders, [were] located on Oregon Street, between Grove [S. 5th] and Monroe [S. 6th] streets." In 1863 he left that business to work for Northwestern Life Insurance. In 1872 he returned to architecture.[4]

Historian Alexander Carl Guth calls Douglas "a very emotional man, likewise...very pompous and always on his dignity, both in manner and dress," and relates an anecdote in which "a stranger came to [Douglas'] office looking for a prominent architect by the name of [Henry C.] Koch. Douglas straightaway disclaimed all knowledge of such a man and informed the stranger that he was now standing in the presence of the most eminent architect of the day and that he had better take due heed of same. It is needless to say that this stranger was none other than a prospective client for Koch, but Douglas made such an impression on the man that he rightway [sic] engaged him as his architect."

A number of his works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. One, Sunnyhill Home, is further designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Works include (attribution):

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sunnyhill Home. Wisconsin Historical Society. 2018-03-13. January 2012.
  2. Guth. Alexander Carl. September 1926. Early Day Architects in Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Magazine of History. 10. 1. 23. 4630638.
  3. Book: Garber . Randy . Built in Milwaukee: An Architectural View of the City: Prepared for the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Landscape Research . 1983 . University of Wisconsin Press . 139.
  4. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=79000087}} NRHP Inventory/Nomination: St. Paul's Episcopal Church]. M. Fred Himmerich. Barb Wyatt. 1978-07-17. National Park Service. 2018-03-13. With
  5. Web site: Grace Episcopal Church. Wisconsin Historical Society. 2022-06-07.
  6. none. Harry B. Walker House (Chastina B. and Harry). Wisconsin Historical Society. 2020-04-10.
  7. Web site: Chacona/Stack Flats. Milwaukee Public Library Historic Photo Collection.
  8. Web site: Street Guide To Old Milwaukee. oldmilwaukee.net. 2019-06-09.
  9. Web site: 1841 N PROSPECT AVE Property Record. 2012-01-01. Wisconsin Historical Society. 2019-06-09.
  10. Web site: 1841 N. Prospect Ave. National or State Registers Record. 2012-01-01. Wisconsin Historical Society. 2019-06-09.
  11. Web site: T.B. Scott Mansion . Wisconsin Historical Society . 13 July 2021.
  12. Web site: 2531 N FARWELL AVE Property Record. 2012-01-01. Wisconsin Historical Society. 2019-06-09.
  13. Web site: 1503-15 E KANE Property Record. 2012-01-01. Wisconsin Historical Society. 2019-06-09.

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