Harlan Thomas
architectural work photograph collection
Dates:
circa 1910-1940 ( inclusive )
Quantity:
70 black and white photographic
prints (1 box)
Collection Number:
394
Summary:
Photographs of
buildings, architectural renderings, and floor plans designed by Harlan Thomas,
as well as those designed by architecture firms in which Harlan Thomas was
involved. Also included are portraits of Harlan Thomas
Repository:
University of Washington Libraries
Special Collections
Box 352900 Seattle, WA 98195-2900
Languages:
Collection materials are in
English.
Biographical Note
Harlan Thomas was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 10, 1870. His
father, a Civil War Veteran, moved the family to Fort Collins, Colorado, when
Harlan was nine years old. He enrolled in Colorado State College in 1885 and
became interested in architecture, although his father's death in 1886 forced
him to withdraw after only one year of study. Between 1886 and 1891, Thomas
worked as a carpenter and draftsman, eventually re-enrolling in Colorado State
in 1891. By the time he graduated in 1894 he had already designed two buildings
for Colorado State University's campus and a home addition for Franklin Avery,
a prominent Fort Collins businessman. After graduation, Thomas opened an
architectural office before moving to Europe with his new wife, Edith
Partridge, in 1895.
Thomas worked in Denver and traveled extensively between 1896 and
1906, finally moving to Seattle in 1906. Over the next 43 years, Thomas
contributed numerous architectural works to the Pacific Northwest. His projects
include: the Chelsea Hotel, the Sorrento Hotel, the Queen Anne Seattle Public
Library, the Seattle Chamber of Commerce Building, the Rhodes Department Store
(now known as the Arcade Plaza Building), the first Harborview Hospital
building, Bagley Hall at the University of Washington, Laurelhurst Church and
the Sand Point Community United Methodist Church. In addition, he designed
several high schools, including one in Enumclaw, Washington, the Weatherwax
High School in Aberdeen, Washington, and the Masonic Temple and high school in
Juneau, Alaska.
From 1926 until 1940 Thomas was a Professor of Architecture and
Director of the School of Architecture at the University of Washington,
Seattle. In 1940 he became the Director Emeritus of the School of Architecture
at the University of Washington. Thomas retired from practice in 1949 and
devoted his time to water-color painting, a skill he had practiced throughout
his career. In 1951, he exhibited a number of his watercolor sketches at the
University of Washington Henry Art Gallery. On September 4, 1953, Harlan Thomas
died at the age of 83 at his home on 3015 West Market Street.
Content Description
The collection includes photographs of architectural works by Harlan
Thomas. Photographs of architectural renderings and floor plans are included as
well. Images depict commercial, medical, residential, educational, and
religious structures, as well as three portraits of Harlan Thomas and one group
photograph.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
The collection is open to the public.
Restrictions on Use :
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication.
Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for
details.
Preferred Citation :
The required credit line for use of images from Special Collections
is: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, [plus the negative
number].
The negative number is provided with the image and is a letter +
number combination such as UW13452; Hegg 1234; or NA1275. A typical credit line
would be, University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, UW13452.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information :
Gift of Karen Gordon, Urban Conservation Project, Department of
Neighborhoods, Seattle; received February 28, 1994.
Gift of Ed Baar (?): items 394.2-3.
Processing Note :
Processed by Liam McDonnell, 2005, and Megan Peacock, 2006; processing
completed in 2006
Detailed Description of the Collection
Portraits
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Folder
1
1: Harlan Thomas
S. Walters Studio
(photographer)
undated
1
2-3: Harlan Thomas
September 1921
1
4: Group portrait of first excursion party
at Alaska-British Columbia boundary monument
Harlan Thomas is in the third row, eleventh person from the
left.
Completed November, 1935. Material used was Orebraloy Aluminum
with polished, satin and lacquered finishes. The contractor for the project was
Allen V. Moore. "Store front consisting of push bars, kick plates, cast
aluminum plaques and letters, horizontal and vertical bars (louvres and glass
setting furnished by others): installed complete - $650.00 (Price as of
November, 1936)."
undated
9
55: University of West Virginia Chemistry
Laboratory, Morgantown, West Virginia.
"Downdraft table hoods, table tops, sinks, and wall shelves of
Alberene Stone."
undated
9
56: Artist rendering of proposed University
Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington
undated
University of Washington Chemistry -
Pharmacy Building, Seattle, Washington
Now called Bagley Hall.
Folder
10
57: Artist rendering
"Bagley Hall. Construction Cost: $1,154,000.000. 35 general
laboratories, 60 research laboratories and offices, stock room, library, study
hall, auditorium (300 seats), Lecture Hall (150 seats), 3 smaller lecture
halls. Fireproof construction: 190 x 250: 4 floors and basements."
February 21, 1939
10
58: Exterior of hall with Drumheller
fountain in front of building
Roger Dudley, Commercial
Photographer, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
undated
10
59-60: Exterior of hall
Roger Dudley, Commercial
Photographer, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
undated
10
61: Weatherwax High School, Aberdeen,
Washington
undated
10
62: Yale University, Sterling Laboratory of
Chemistry, New Haven, Connecticut
" Table tops, reagent shelving and hoods of Alberene Stone."
undated
Unidentified projects
Folder
11
63-64: Backside of residence and
pool.
undated
11
65-66: Front and rear view of courthouse and
jail.
undated
11
67: View of Seattle, Washington, street
and buildings at intersection with University Street
October 9, 1911
11
68: Pen and ink rendering of a
two-towered building, possibly a hotel
undated
11
69: View of interior stone stairs with
wrought iron railing
Rounds & Roaf Commercial
Photo Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
"Whitcomb interior."
undated
11
70: View of lake and surrounding
brush-covered landscape
Webster & Stevens,
Seattle, Washington (photographer)
