User:JPRiley/Witmer
{{Short description|American architect (1859–1905)}}
{{Infobox architect
|name = David J. Witmer
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|parents =
|nationality = American
|birth_date = {{birth date|1888|8|29}}
|birth_place = Los Angeles
|death_date = {{death date and age|1973|5|5|1888|8|29}}
|death_place = Los Angeles
|significant_buildings =
|significant_projects =
|awards =
}}
File:Venice Branch Library (Vera Davis McClendon Youth and Family Center).JPG of the Los Angeles Public Library, designed by Witmer & Watson in the Spanish Colonial Revival style and completed in 1930.]]
David J. Witmer {{post-nominals|list=FAIA}} (August 29, 1888 – May 5, 1973) was an American architect in practice in Los Angeles from 1915 until his retirement in 1966.
Life and career
David Julius Witmer was born August 29, 1888, in Los Angeles to Joseph Myer Witmer and Josephine Smith Witmer, née Sullivan. He was educated at Harvard University, graduating with an AB in 1910. He then spent two years as a graduate student in the Harvard architecture school, spending his summers in the office of Clarence H. Blackall. He spent the summer and fall of 1912 traveling in Europe before returning to Blackall in Boston. In 1914 he opened an office of his own in suburban Winchester, and returned to Los Angeles in 1915.
In 1919 Witmer formed the partnership of Witmer & Watson with Loyall Farragut Watson, a civil engineering graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute."Watson, Loyall F(arragut)" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 587-588. In 1947 the partnership was expanded to include Lowell Walter Pidgeon, a graduate of the University of Southern California, and the firm was renamed Witmer, Watson & Pidgeon. Watson died in 1960, with the firm continuing as Witmer & Pidgeon. In 1966 Witmer retired from practice, with Pidgeon continuing alone."Pidgeon, Lowell Walter" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1970): 719.
Personal life
In 1917 Witmer was married to Helen Elizabeth Williams. They had three children, two sons and one daughter.
Architectural works
- 1923 – Roger Emmons house, South Pasadena, California
- 1930 – Venice Branch, Los Angeles Public Library (former), 610 California Ave, Venice, California
- 1935 – Wilshire Presbyterian Church rostrum and choir loft, Los Angeles
- 1937 – Moody medical building, Los Angeles
- 1938 – Ethyl Corporation building, Los Angeles
- 1939 – Wyvernwood, 2901 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles"Witmer, David J(ulius)" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1962): 773.
- 1949 – Huber house, Arcadia, California
- 1952 – Med. Dispensary, Claremont Assoc. Cols, Claremont, California
- 1955 – North Hollywood High School physical education building, 5231 Colfax Ave, North Hollywood, California
- 1960 – Canoga Park Middle School, 22250 Elkwood St, Canoga Park, California
- 1963 – Gulf Avenue Elementary School, 828 W L St, Wilmington, California
Notes
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References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Witmer, David J.}}