Francis W. Wilson

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Francis W. Wilson (1870 - 1947) was an American architect. His practice in Santa Barbara, California included work for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and its associated Fred Harvey Company hotels, as well as many residences.

Contents

Life and career

Wilson was born in Massachusetts and arrived in California at the age of 17 to visit his sister, a schoolteacher in Placerville. There, he worked as a log-driver on the American River and then as a surveyor for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He moved to San Francisco in the early 1890s, becoming a draftsman for the firm of Pissis and Moore, where he was instructed by architect Albert Pissis. Wilson studied at the San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects and took a grand tour of Europe before establishing his own firm in Santa Barbara in 1895. [1] [2]

Santa Barbara Railway Station Santa Barbara Station1.jpg
Santa Barbara Railway Station

Shortly after arriving in Santa Barbara, Wilson designed homes for Dr. C.C. Park and General Henry J. Strong. [3] He built up a practice designing homes for the wealthy, as well as designing, building and selling speculative houses. His connections with the wealthy led to an interest in polo and amateur horse racing, and to commissions for the Santa Barbara Club, the Central Savings Bank, the Santa Barbara library, post office, and railroad station. A friendship with Edward Payson Ripley, president of the Santa Fe Railway, led to commissions for the railway and for the Fred Harvey Company, as well as a commission to design Ripley's winter home. His most extravagant residential commission, Las Tejas in the suburb of Montecito, was built in 1917 for Oakleigh Thorne. [2]

Wilson married Julia Redington, sister of Wilson's friend and fellow Santa Barbara Polo Club member Lawrence Redington, in 1905. [2]

In 1920, Wilson purchased a forty-five acre ranch in Tuolumne County, California, as well as a nearby mining company. Shortly thereafter, he divorced Redington. During the 1930s, Wilson designed several houses in or near Sonoma, California. During World War II, he took a position as a designer for at Lockheed Aircraft's plant in Burbank, California. [3]

Hopkins Home, Santa Barbara, 1897; Francis W. Wilson. At least two renovations since, one of which likely restored it close to its original look FrancisWilsonElNido.jpg
Hopkins Home, Santa Barbara, 1897; Francis W. Wilson. At least two renovations since, one of which likely restored it close to its original look

Works

Alexander Gardens, Santa Barbara, 1906; Francis W. Wilson. Currently a senior living facility FrancisWilsonAlexanderGardens.jpg
Alexander Gardens, Santa Barbara, 1906; Francis W. Wilson. Currently a senior living facility
Home of Seth Cook Rees, Pasadena, 1908; Francis W. Wilson. Prime example of Arts and Crafts period residential architecture, this property has been designated as an historic landmark by the City of Pasadena. Seth Cook Rees House.jpg
Home of Seth Cook Rees, Pasadena, 1908; Francis W. Wilson. Prime example of Arts and Crafts period residential architecture, this property has been designated as an historic landmark by the City of Pasadena.

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