Difference between revisions of "William F. Gernandt (1872-1943), Architect"

Revision as of 08:07, 11 May 2016

William F. Gernandt was born in September 1872 in Germany, and immigrated to the U. S. in 1881.[10][11] He married Leta around 1897, and their son John was born in 1898.[10][11][c] He worked as a carpenter in Omaha and as an architect in Fairbury and then in Omaha, designing county courthouses, schools, and other projects throughout Nebraska and in surrounding states. William and Leta relocated to San Diego, California, first appearing in the San Diego city directory in 1926. In 1937 they moved to Monrovia in Los Angeles County, where he died September 26, 1943.[23]

This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the Format and contents of Nebraska architect entries page for more information on the compilation and page organization.

Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings

Omaha, Nebraska, 1890-1905

Fairbury, Nebraska, 1909-1913

Omaha, Nebraska, 1914-1923

Educational & Professional Associations

1892-1905: carpenter, Omaha, Nebraska.[10][e]

1906-1913: architect, Fairbury, Nebraska.[10][13]

1914-1923: architect, Omaha, Nebraska.

1926-1943: resided in California, first in San Diego to 1937, then in Monrovia, California.

Other Associations

1910: employed Dalbert Simpson, Fairbury, Nebraska.[27][29][f][h]

Buildings & Projects

Dated

St. Michaels Catholic Church (1906), Fairbury, Nebraska.[17] (JF04-23)

Hotel (1906), Fairbury, Nebraska.[22]

Bonham Bank (1906), Fairbury, Nebraska.[22]

W.F. Gernandt house (1906-1907), 1016 D Street, Fairbury, Nebraska. (JF04-12)

Six-room stone and brick school (1907), Chester, Nebraska.[24]

Hospital (1907), Fairbury, Nebraska.[18]

Church of Christ (1908), Chester, Nebraska.[19] (TY06-32)

First Methodist Church (1908), Davenport, Nebraska.[19][25][d] (TY07-005)

School (1908), Hebron, Nebraska.[20]

School (1908), Bruning, Nebraska.[20]

Remodeled store fronts (1908), Fairbury, Nebraska.[21]

Andrew Coleman house (1908-1909), 501 Lavelle, Diller, Nebraska.[6] (JF02-004) National Register narrative

W. H. Faling House (1909), 606 Parker, Cambridge, Nebraska.[1] (FN03-051) Photo Coll R742.5-111 National Register narrative

Stromsburg High School (1910), Stromsburg, Nebraska.[8][35]

Osceola High School (1910), Osceola, Nebraska.[27][29][30][f]

Store building for E. B. Woods (1910), York, Nebraska.[29][30][h][i]

Residence for Dr. H. C. Broch (1910), North Platte, Nebraska.[30][j]

Residence for E. J. Kelso (1910), Carleton, Nebraska.[30]

Bank building for C. A. Voorhees (1910), Edgar, Nebraska.[30]

Three-room addition of school house (1910), Chester, Nebraska.30]

District school (1910), Helvey, Nebraska.[30][34][k]

Goff (Kansas) high school (1910), Goff, Kansas.[30] Image

Store buildings for Dr. Brewer (1910), Beloit, Nebraska.[29][30][h][l]

Dawson County Courthouse (1910, 1913-1914), northwest corner 8th & Washington, Lexington, Nebraska.[5:85][6][14][28][30][g] (DS07-030) National Register narrative

Phelps County Courthouse (1910-1911), northwest Corner 6th Ave. & West A, Holdrege, Nebraska.[5:78][6][29][33] (PP04-013) National Register narrative

Remodeling building for bank for A. G. Collins (1910), Hebron, Nebraska.[34]

Remodeling Methodist Church (1910), Falls City, Nebraska.[34]

Remodeling bank for Thomas P. Price (1910), Diller, Nebraska.[34]

Remodeling residence for H. W. Keyes (1910), Indianola, Nebraska.[34]

Doniphan Public School (1910), Doniphan, Nebraska.[35][n]

Bank building for Judge John C. Hogan and A. J. West (1910), Belleville, Kansas.[36]

Pawnee County Courthouse (1911-1912), Pawnee City, Nebraska.[3][5:78][6] (PW06-054) National Register narrative

Merrick County Courthouse (1911-1915), southeast corner 18th & 16th Ave., Central City, Nebraska.[5:86][6] (MK02-003) National Register narrative

Clair Memorial United Methodist Church (1913), 2443 Evans St., Omaha, Nebraska.[7] (DO09:0227-001)

In Fairbury (1913) on business, had several “modern school buildings” being built in Nebraska and Kansas.[15] remove to note

Disrict No. 1 School - Steele City Public School (1913-1914), Steele City, Nebraska.[37] (JF12-022) National Register narrative

Webster County Courthouse (1914), 225 W. 6th St., Red Cloud, Nebraska.[2][5:84][6] (WT07-104) NHRP National Register narrative

Craig High School (1915), southeast corner Morford & Burt, Craig, Nebraska. (BT02-004)

Lutheran Hospital (1915), York, Nebraska.[3][12][a]

Bethany Public School (1915), Bethany Heights (now 1540 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln), Nebraska.[32]

Havelock High School (1917), Havelock (now 6224 Logan Ave, Lincoln), Nebraska.[31]

Clay County Courthouse (1917-1919), south side Fairfield near Alexa, Clay Center, Nebraska.[6][9] (CY01-004) National Register narrative

Consolidated School (1918), Straham, Iowa.[9]

Valley County Courthouse (1919-1921), northeast corner 16th & L, Ord, Nebraska.[2][5:91][6] (VY04-001) National Register narrative

Polk County Courthouse (1921-1922), northwest corner State & Nebraska, Osceola, Nebraska.[5:93][6] (PK01-004) National Register narrative

Ord City Hall/Fire Dept (ca. 1921), northeast corner 16th & N, Ord, Nebraska. (VY04-061)

Sarpy County Courthouse (1922-1923), 122 E. 3rd St, Papillion, Nebraska.[5:92][6] (SY08-017) National Register narrative

Richardson County Courthouse (1923-1925), northeast corner 18th & Harlan, Falls City, Nebraska.[5:93][6] (RH03-069) National Register narrative

Anderson Apartments (1924), 701 S 24th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[4][7] (DO09:0122-042) National Register narrative

Administration Building (1924), Evangelical Lutheran Teacher Seminary, Seward, Nebraska.[8]

William F. and Leta Gernandt House (1926), 5002 Canterbury Drive, San Diego, California.[26]

Notes

a. Trenton Building Company (Ernest Rokahr), Contractors, Lincoln, Nebraska.[12]

b. Not found in federal census in Nebraska in 1920 (or in U.S. using William.)

c. The 1900 federal census notes the name of Gernandt's wife as Lizzie; the 1905 Kansas state census lists her as Elizabeth, and the 1910 federal census notes Gernandt's wife as Leda. Probably all names refer to the same woman, as both the 1900 and 1910 censuses indicate their marriage occurred 1n 1897. Later her name is consistently listed as "Leta."[10][11]

d. Improvement Bulletin of March 9, 1907 notes: "Davenport, Neb.--W. F. Gernandt is preparing plans for a church for the M. E. society. It will be frame with seatings for 450. Cost, $8,500."[25]

e. William F. Gernandt is listed in Omaha city directories as early as 1890 as a gas fitter, laborer, and most often as a carpenter, sometimes working on car repair for Union Pacific Railroad. From 1890 to 1897, he shared a household with William Gernandt, presumably his father, who had similar occupations and also worked for U.P.R.R. The 1900 U. S. Census includes in Omaha the household of William and Pauline Gernandt, probably William F.'s parents. They were both born in Germany, married around 1870, and immigrated in 1881. Between 1890 and 1905, Omaha directories listed up to seven male Gernandts in a pair of seemingly interlocking households.

f. Improvement Bulletin of March 12, 1910 lists "Osceola, Neb.--Gernandt & Simpson, architects, Fairbury, Neb., have prepared plans for a 2story brick high school building, 76x87, for the board of education...There will be a brick foundation, press and pavers' brick, Bedford stone, tin roof, metal cornice, d.s. and plate glass, Acme plaster, steam heat, maple flooring, yellow pine finish, boilers, cementing, hollow tile, iron beams, metal lath, plumbing, heatings [seatings?] for 500, ventilators, etc. The old blackboards will be used. Cost $28,000. Bids will be received about April 15." American Contractor of June 4, 1910 notes the school project was "Postponed temporarily."[27][30]

g. Improvement Bulletin of December 18, 1909 notes: "Lexington, Neb.--W. F. Gernandt & Co., architects, Fairbury, Neb., have prepared plans for a court house, 80x88, to cost $100,000....It will be of concrete and steel construction, 3-story, in the French renaissance style, with Bedfor [sic] stone trimmings. Construction will be started at an early date." Fairbury Journal in January 1910 reported that Gernandt was in Lexington “looking after business matters.”[14][28] However, the public vote to finance construction of the court house was not held until 1912 and construction occurred in 1913-1914.

h. While the Osceola High School project listed "Gernandt & Simpson, architects, Fairbury," the business relationship of the two men was litigated between 1910 and 1915, culminating in a decision by the Nebraska Supreme Court that Simpson failed to proved their association constituted a partnership. The ruling indicated that early in 1910 Gernandt hired Simpson, who had previously worked for a Kansas City architectural firm, $24 per week. After a period of a few months, the men were unable to reach written agreement as to the terms of their association and Gernandt discharged Simpson, who sued on the basis that they were partners and Gernandt could not discharge him. Two trials in Lancaster District Court found for Simpson, but on appeal the Nebraska Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the lower court on the basis that Simpson's testimony alone was insufficient to establish a partnership existed, finding: "It seems clear that the minds of these parties never met upon any agreement of copartnership." Among the projects cited by Simpson as property of the purported partnership were the Phelps County Courthouse, store buildings in York, Nebraska and Beloit, Kansas, and the school in Osceola, Nebraska."[27][29[f]

i. American Contractor of June 4, 1910 notes that a $12,000 business building for E. B. Woods of York was being "Postponed until fall 1910 or 1911."[30]

j. American Contractor of June 4, 1910 includes a $6,000 residence in North Platte, Nebraska for Dr. H. C. Broch, for which "Foundation [is] in."[30]

k. American Contractor of June 4, 1910 describes the district school for Helvey, Nebraska as "1 sty. $1,000....Plans in progress; will soon be completed. Frame, asbestos shingles, shingle roof, pine finish, pine & cement floors, lavatories, water closets."[30]

l. American Contractor lists "Business Buildings: 2 sty. & bas. 44x88. $12,000. Beloit, Kansas...Entire contract let..."[30]

m. American Contractor of July 9, 1910 lists the Hebron bank remodeling as a $10,000 project.[34]

n. American Contractor of September 10, 1910, lists "Doniphan, Nebr.--Public School; 2 sty. 64x62. $16,000. Architects W. F. Gernandt & Co., Fairbury, Nebr....Plans in progress; bids will soon be received. Brick, stone trim., struct. & archt. iron, yellow pine finish, plumbing."[35]

References

1. Plans on file Nebraska State Historical Society.

2. Data recorded from the cornerstone.

3. Postcard in photo file, Nebraska State Historical Society Postcard Collection, P340.

4. Landmarks, Inc., Steele City School (1912), Steele City, Nebraska (JF12-022) An Inventory of Historic Omaha Buildings (Omaha: City of Omaha and Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, 1980), 56.

5. Oliver B. Pollak, Nebraska Courthouses: Contention, Compromise, and Community [Images of America Series] (Chicago: Arcadia Publishing, 2002), [725.1.P771n].

6. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

7. City of Omaha Planning Department, Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, Database, Query on Architects, May 20, 2002; courtesy of Lynn Meyer, Preservation Planner.

8. Tom Kaspar, comp. Inventory of architectural records in the archives of Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska. 1996. Nebraska State Historical Society, RG3748, Box 16.

9. The American Contractor (March 23, 1918), 60, (This is a fireproof building of brick, terracotta, and concrete; four storeys with a basement, measuring 89 by 139 feet.). Google Books. Accessed January 12, 2012, http://books.google.com/books?id=UCJYAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA10-PA64&lpg=RA10-PA64&dq=f+w+clarke,+architect,+york+hotel,+nebraska&source=bl&ots=-QV--qNAlx&sig=yQZ--Gvu9ph8VGJ7unfHB-6P9QU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=whYPT97eOov9iQLF9M3fDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=f%20w%20clarke%2C%20architect%2C%20york%20hotel%2C%20nebraska&f=false

10. 1900 United States Census, s.v. “William Gernandt,” Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska; 1910 United States Census, s.v. “Wm F. Gernandt,” Fairbury, Jefferson County, Nebraska, Both accessed through HeritageQuestOnline.com.

11. 1905 Kansas State Census, s.v. "W.F. Gernandt," Marysville, Kansas, accessed through Ancestry.com. Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.

12. Rokahr Family Collection, Nebraska State Historical Society archives, RG3584, S.2, f.1. .

13. “W. F. Gernandt,” Fairbury Journal (January 28, 1910).

14. “W. F. Gernandt,” Fairbury Journal (January 21, 1910).

15. “W. F. Gernandt,” Fairbury Journal (July 11, 1913).

16. “W. F. Gernandt,” Fairbury Journal (March 30, 1906).

17. “W. F. Gernandt,” Fairbury Journal (November 23, 1906).

18. “W. F. Gernandt,” Fairbury Journal (October 18, 1907).

19. “W. F. Gernandt,” Hebron Journal (August 21, 1908).

20. “Arch. W. F. Gernandt,” Fairbury Journal (July 17, 1908).

21. “W. F. Gernandt,” Fairbury Journal (October 16, 1908).

22. “W. F. Gernandt,” Fairbury Journal (October 18, 1907).

23. Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1940-1997 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000.

24. Improvement Bulletin (January 18, 1907), 24; (January 26, 1907), 21.

25. Improvement Bulletin (March 9, 1907), 22.

26. WEB Register of Designated Historical Resources, City of San Diego, California, s.v. "William F. and Leta Gernandt House." Accessed May 7, 2016. https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/planning/programs/historical/pdf/register.pdf

27. Improvement Bulletin (March 12, 1910), 32.

28. Improvement Bulletin (December 18, 1909), 24.

29. "Dalbert Simpson, Appellee, v. William F. Gernandt, Appellant," in Reports of Cases in the Supreme Court of Nebraska, (January Term, 1915), 98:330-333. Accessed May 9, 2015. https://books.google.com/books?id=JsgEAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA330&lpg=PA330&dq=gernandt+v.+simpson&source=bl&ots=a-hP_LH_3N&sig=v1zB-ozpsm7WJl9_5FOymAdns-0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwietfaNls7MAhXr44MKHf7fAJwQ6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=gernandt%20v.%20simpson&f=false

30. The American Contractor (June 4, 1910), 77.

31. Information on cornerstone, southwest corner of building.

32. Information on cornerstone, northeast corner of building.

33. "Sealed Proposal Advertisements" for "a County Court House Building...at Holdrege, Phelps Co., Nebraska," in American Contractor (May 14, 1910), 60; (May 21, 1910), 37.

34. American Contractor (July 9, 1910), 50.

35. American Contractor (September 10, 1910), 21.

36. American Contractor (August 27, 1910), 19.

Page Citation

D. Murphy, “William F. Gernandt (1872-1943), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, May 6, 2015. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, May 15, 2024.

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