Beezer Brothers | |
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Practice information | |
Partners |
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Founded | 1892 |
Dissolved | 1932 |
Location |
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Significant works and honors | |
Buildings |
Louis Beezer | |
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Born | July 6, 1869 Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | January 2, 1929 59) [1] | (aged
Occupation | Architect |
Spouse | Annie M. Cole (m. 1892) |
Children | 3 |
Michael J. Beezer | |
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Born | July 6, 1869 Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | September 15, 1933 64) [1] | (aged
Occupation | Architect |
Spouse | Emma Renaut |
Children | 1 |
The Beezer Brothers were American architects active from the late 19th-century to the Great Depression. They were twins, who practiced together in western Pennsylvania before moving to Seattle, Washington in 1907 to participate in the city's rapid growth brought on by the Klondike Gold Rush. Best known for the many Catholic churches they designed, they also worked on domestic residences and municipal buildings. Their work on the west coast, while concentrated in Seattle, can be found from Los Angeles to San Francisco to Alaska, and inland to Montana. At least one church and two buildings are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and several other buildings are contributing properties to several different National Historic Districts.
Louis Beezer and Michael J. Beezer were born July 6, 1869, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Catherine Beezer. [3] Their father was a German immigrant. [4] Louis worked in construction and had become a foreman in Altoona by age 21. He studied architecture for a few years in Pittsburgh before returning to Altoona where he and Michael started their partnership in 1892 [5] and practiced there for seven years until moving to Pittsburgh in 1900. [6] where they designed homes and churches for the next seven years. [5]
Between 1900 and 1906, they designed five brick commercial buildings in western Pennsylvania. Each included elaborate terra-cotta ornamentation on the top story and cornice. The first floor of all but one was made entirely of limestone. These building included a fireproof flooring system that the Beezer's had patented. The system replaced steel, which twisted and collapsed in the extreme heat of a fire, with hollow clay tiles to support the floors. [7] Although these building were similar, the Beezers were known to design each project uniquely. [7] The pair frequently acted as construction managers in addition to architects on their projects [5] where they oversaw daily, on-site, work activities, work that is usually performed by construction firms. [8] They also designed homes and churches in Pittsburgh before closing the office and relocating to Seattle, Washington, in 1907. [5] The city was experiencing tremendous growth at the time. While Seattle was their base, projects were located from Hollywood, California, to Alaska. [5] In 1923, Louis opened a branch office in San Francisco, California. The office closed six years later upon his death in 1929. [5] Michael stayed in Seattle and ran that office until he retired in 1932, but did little noteworthy after Louis left. [5]
In addition to homes, commercial buildings, churches, a steamship terminal, they also designed at least six banks. [5] [9] Michael was reported to be honored at a 1912 opening of a bank he designed in Montana by being allowed to make the first deposit. [8]
Michael was married to Emman Renaut, with whom he had one child, Ross J. Beezer. [2] Louse was married to Annie M. Beezer (née Cole). [3] They had three children, Harold, Raymond, and Mary. [4]
Early Seattle projects included: [5]
Many significant projects (churches, rectories, and schools) were for the Seattle Roman Catholic diocese, including: [5]
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