Louis Mendelssohn (1854-1935), Architect
Louis Mendelssohn was born in Germany on August 12, 1854. His parents Maurice and Pauline (nee Hill) immigrated to New York soon after he was born, then relocated to Detroit by 1856.[1]. In both the 1869 Detroit city directory and the 1870 U.S. Census, teen-aged Louis was already identified as "architect."[2][3] According to his obituary, he was educated in Detroit schools and by private tutors.[1][a] From 1869 to 1879, he was listed in Detroit city directories as a draughtsman or an architect, with architect Julius Hess from 1875-1877 and in partnership with Mortimer L. Smith in 1878 and 1879.
In February, 1880, Mendelssohn removed to Omaha, Nebraska, and engaged in business with Alfred R. Dufrene.[6] That partnership was succeeded in 1885 by partnerships in varying configurations with George Fisher and Harry Lawrie until 1893, when Mendelssohn commenced solo practice through 1895. Then according to the Omaha city directory he "moved to Europe." That was apparently a study tour, continuing until he returned to Detroit in 1898 and engaged in several manufacturing enterprises--a brewery, a match manufacturer, and Fisher Body Company. Those pursuits included architectural design, especially of manufacturing facilities for the auto industry. "His influence on plant design was considerable. He designed many of the buildings which later became patterns for the constantly expanding industry."[1]
From 1885-1889, Mendelssohn was a Fellow of the Western Association of Architects, of which he was a charter member. He was also a Member, as well as a Fellow, of The American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.). (Upon the merger of the Western Association of Architects with The American Institute of Architects in 1889, all A.I.A. members were made Fellows because W.A.A. members were known as Fellows.)[15][16:302]
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
Omaha, Nebraska, 1881-1895
Educational & Professional Associations
1869-1879: architect &/or draughtsman, Detroit, Michigan.[3]
1875-1877: draftsman, then partner with Julius Hess as Julius Hess & Mendelssohn, Detroit, Michigan.[3]
1878-1880: architect & partner, Mortimer L. Smith & Mendelssohn, Detroit, Michigan.[3][19]
1880-1885: architect & partner, Dufrene & Mendelssohn, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.[a]
1885-1886: architect & partner, Mendelssohn & Fisher, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.
1887: architect & partner, Mendelssohn & Lawrie, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.
1888-1893 architect & partner, Mendelssohn, Fisher & Lawrie, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.
1893-1895: architect, Omaha, Nebraska.
1896: “Moved to Europe,” Omaha, Nebraska, Directory listing.
1898: treasurer of Koppitz-Melchers Brewing Co., Detroit.[3]
1899-1909: treasurer and manager of Modern Match Co., Detroit.[1][3][5]
1909-1926: architect, treasurer and chairman of board, Fisher Body Corporation.[1][6][20]
Buildings & Projects
Dated
Dwyer & Vhay fruit, oyster and canned goods warehouse (1879), 66 Jefferson avenue, Detroit, Michigan.[20]
Three-story brick block for Max Meyer & Co. (1880), ns Farnam near NE corner of 11th, Omaha, Nebraska.[18][h]]
Duchesne Academy (1882-1887), 3601 Burt St., Omaha, Nebraska.[13][14][b] (DO09:0323-003)
Fred Meyer mansion (1887), Nye Avenue, Fremont, Nebraska.[21][i]
Joseph Barker House (1887), 1505 S. 8th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[14] (DO09:0064-005)
Bemis Bag building (1887), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
Bertram Apartments (1888), 2601 Capitol Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[14] (DO09:0211-002)
Commercial Building (1888), 710 S. 16th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[14] (DO09:0122-067)
House (1888), 1625 Lothrop St., Omaha, Nebraska.[14] (DO09:0140-037)
Louis Mendelssohn hse (1888), 2024 Wirt, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:179][14] DO09:0140-003)
Henrietta E. Swartzlander Tenements (1888), 122 N 26th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:33]
Kirkendall Jones & Co. Bldg (1888), 105 S 16th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:48]
Mason Elementary School (1888), 1010 S 24th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:56][13][14] (DO09:0205-009) National Register narrative
House for H. Meday (1888), 514 Park Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:155][14] (DO09:0207-033)
Building for J. Grant (1888), 1021 Park Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[12:157][14] (DO09:0205-024)
John Rush House (1888), 1323 Martha Street, Omaha, Nebraska.[14]
M. Spiesberger & Son Building. (1894), 1205-07 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska. (DO09:0123-028) Old Market Historic District, entry 1-39 in Section 7
Undated
Academy of the Sacred Heart (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][c]
Omaha and Nebraska National Banks (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[6][c]
S. R. Brown's residence (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[6][c]
Paxton Warehouses (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[6][c]
Christian Specht building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][c][g]
Burlington Headquarters (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][c][g]
Moline Plow Company Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][d]
McCord & Brady Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][d]
Paddock Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][d]
Board of Trade Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][d]
Morrison Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][d]
First National Bank (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][d]
Ramage Block (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][d]
William A. Paxton Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][d]
First Congregational Church (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][d]
Cahn Residence (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[14][17][d]
Pundt Residence (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[14][17][d]
Phillips Residence (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[14][17][d]
Colpetzer Residence (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[14][17][d]
McConnel Residence (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[14][17][d]
Monell Residence (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[14][17][d]
Barker Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
Sheeley Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
Great Paxton Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
The Ramage (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
The Millard Hotel (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[14][c]
The Knights of Pythias Temple (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
St. Peter's Catholic Parish (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
The Hotel Barker (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
Warehouse of B.F. Smith (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
North American Bag Company (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][e]
Architecture Hall (n.d.), University of Nebraska Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.[17][f]
Notes
a. Andreas in 1882 reported that Mendelssohn had "learned the profession of architect in the city of New York and Detroit Mich. Afterwards he studied and traveled on the continent for eighteen months perfecting himself in his profession...." before returning to Detroit and practiced there as an architect there for nine years.[6] If Mendelssohn made that Grand Tour before 1870, he was in his mid-teens. His quite thorough obituary appears to tell a somewhat different version of his early years, noting "that he "early chose architecture as his profession. He started his practice as a youth in the offices of Sheldon & Mortimer L. Smith, and later went to the car and locomotive department of the Michigan Central Railroad as a manufacturing draftsman. Several years of experience brought him back to Mr. Smith, this time as a partner in the f1rm of Mortimer L.Smith and L. Mendelssohn. The firm designed many important Detroit and Michigan buildings."[1] The obituary account generally aligns well with his listings in the Detroit city directories.[3] [EFZ]
b. Mendelssohn is listed in the 1880 U. S. Census as a "boarder" in the household of Mary S. and "Ch. S. Chase...Maire of Omaha." Champion S. Chase served as Omaha's mayor for seven years in three discontinuous terms, including from 1879-1881.[4][5]
b. Multiple buildings, multiple architects in NEHBS and Omaha Architects Database. In reference [12] below, also referred to as Louis Mendelssohn & Company.
c. Projects from 1880-1885 were done on behalf of Dufrene & Mendelssohn
d. Projects from 1885-1886 were done on behalf of Mendelssohn & Fisher
e. Projects from 1887 were done on behalf of Mendelssohn & Lawrie
f. Projects from 1888-1893 were done on behalf of Mendelssohn, Fisher & Lawrie
g. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
h. A lengthy description of this project is provided by Omaha Herald on May 4, 1880, noting "The plans were prepared by Mr. Mendelssohn of A. R. Dufrene's office."[18]
i. Fremont Weekly Herald in May 1887 provided a thorough "walk-through" of the recently completed residence for Fred Meyer, noting "The design and construction of the building has been under the direction of Architect L. Mendelssohn of Omaha...."[21]
References
1. "Louis Mendelssohn Dead in Palm Beach at Age 81," Detroit (Michigan) Free Press (March 29, 1935), 1.
2. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Louis Mendelshon," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.
3. Detroit city directories, 1869-1879.
4. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Louis Mendelsohn," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.
5. "Champion S. Chase," Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, database on-line accessed November 2, 2023.
6. A. T. Andreas, "Dufrene & Mendelssohn," History of the State of Nebraska (1882), 767.
7. "Mendelssohn & Lawrie," The (Omaha) Herald (January 1, 1887).
8. "Mendelssohn & Lawrie," Omaha Daily Bee, Annual Review (January 1, 1888).
9. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census, s.v. “Louis Mendelssohn,” [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
10. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Louis Mendelssohn," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
11. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Louis Mendelssohn," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
12. Landmarks, Inc., An Inventory of Historic Omaha Buildings (Omaha: Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, 1980).
13. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
14. City of Omaha Planning Department, Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, Database, Query on Architects, May 20, 2002; courtesy of Lynn Meyer, Preservation Planner.
15. AIA Historical Directory of American Architects: A Resource Guide to Finding Information About Past Architects. http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/ahd1030032.aspx [accessed 20100525]
16. Industrial Chicago: The Building Interests Vol. 1 (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891), accessed August 2, 2012, http://libsysdigi.library.uiuc.edu/oca/Books2008-03/industrialchicag/industrialchicag01good/industrialchicag01good.pdf
17. Robert Peters, “Bemis Bag Company NRHP Nomination,” OCPD (August 1978).
18. "Transformation. Opening Wonders of 1880 in Omaha's Internal Development. A Long List of Important and Substantial Buildings Contracted for or Under Way...," Omaha (Nebraska) Herald (May 4, 1880), 8.
19. "Personals...Louis Mendelssohn, of the firm of Smith & Mendelssohn, architects, will make his temporary home at Omaha, and possibly may locate there permanantly...," Detroit (Michigan) Free Press (February 1, 1880), 6.
20. "Romance of Fisher Body Corporation is Revealed--Growth of Industry From $50,000 to $150,000,000 in 17 Years Explained," Detroit (Michigan) Free Press (December 13, 1925), 108.
21. "Fremont's Metropolitan Residence.--Mr. and Mrs. Fred Meyer at Home in Their New, Handsome and Substantial Dwelling," Fremont (Nebraska) Weekly Herald (May 12, 1887), 6.
Page Citation
D. Murphy & E. F. Zimmer, “Louis Mendelssohn (1854-1935), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, December 18, 2023. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, May 15, 2024.
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