Beezer Brothers
Practice information
Partners
  • Louis Beezer
  • Michael J. Beezer
Founded1892 (1892)
Dissolved1932 (1932)
Location
Significant works and honors
Buildings
Louis Beezer
Louis Beezer c. 1907
BornJuly 6, 1869 (1869-07-06)
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJanuary 2, 1929(1929-01-02) (aged 59)[1]
San Francisco, California[1]
OccupationArchitect
Spouse
Annie M. Cole
​
(m. 1892)​
Children3
Michael J. Beezer
Michael Beezer c. 1907
BornJuly 6, 1869 (1869-07-06)
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedSeptember 15, 1933(1933-09-15) (aged 64)[1]
Seattle, Washington[2]
OccupationArchitect
SpouseEmma Renaut
Children1

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.

Background

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]

Personal life

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]

Pennsylvania projects

St. John Gualbert Cathedral

Seattle projects

Colman Dock 1912

Early Seattle projects included:[5]

  • Colman Dock (1908–1909), the new steamship terminal
  • The Oliver D. Fisher house (1908–1909) on southwest Capitol Hill
  • The Homer L. Hillman house (1908–1909) on southwest Capitol Hill
  • The Leary Building (later the Insurance Building, 1906–1910, destroyed) downtown Seattle
  • An apartment building for Mr. and Mrs. John B. Beltinck (1908–1909) located at 319 16th Avenue

Many significant projects (churches, rectories, and schools) were for the Seattle Roman Catholic diocese, including:[5]

  • The Immaculate Conception School (1909–1910) at 810 18th Avenue
  • The Blessed Sacrament Church (1909-1911, 1922–1925) at 5049 9th Avenue NE[14]
  • The Immaculate Conception rectory (1910–1914) at 820 18th Avenue
  • The Cathedral School (1911–1912) at 803 Terry Avenue; Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church (1915) at 1531 Bradner Place S
  • The Society of Jesus rectory (1919–1921) at 730 18th Avenue E
  • Saint Joseph School (1922–1923) at 720 18th Avenue

Other projects (Seattle office)

Larabie Brothers Bank

Other projects (San Francisco office)

Publications

  • Architecture, Practical and Theoretical (1894)[17]
  • A collection of designs for "Residences, Business and Public Buildings" (1899)[18]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 John C. Bates (Fall 2018). "Portraits of Catholics with Western Pennsylvania Connections: The Famous, the Forgotten, and the Unknown". Gathered Fragments. The Catholic Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Diocese of Pittsburgh: 69–83.
  2. 1 2 Michael J. Beezer, Washington, U.S., Select Death Index, 1907-1960
  3. 1 2 Pennsylvania, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1845–1963
  4. 1 2 1900 US Census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny, Pittsburgh Ward 19, District 0222
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 MacIntosh, Heather M. (October 28, 1998). "Beezer Brothers Architecture". historylink.org. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ Wilcox, Ralph S. (1997). Jeepers, creepers! how 'bout them Beezers? : the history of the Beezer Brothers architecture firm, 1892-1932 (Thesis). Ball State University.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Clearfield County National Bank and Dimeling Hotel". sah-archipedia.org. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Dagny Krigbaum (November 2007). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Deer Lodge Central Business Historic District / 24PW0843 - 24PW0897, District SITS# 24PW0898". National Park Service. Retrieved December 7, 2022. With accompanying 12 photos from 2007
  9. 1 2 3 4 City of Pittsburgh Historic Landmark Nomination, Former Pennsylvania National Bank Building (PDF), Preservation Pittsburg, August 2019, retrieved December 6, 2022
  10. ↑ Illustrated Altoona. A complete pen-picture of the city of Altoona. Altoona: Altoona Board of Trade. 1896. p. 69. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  11. ↑ "St. John Gualbert Cathedral". Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  12. ↑ "H. Dean Allison Insurance Agency (Llyswen Station)". sah-archipedia.org. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  13. 1 2 3 "Beezer Brothers, Architects (Partnership)". Pacific Coast Architecture Database. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  14. ↑ Padraic Burke; Mark L. Brack (June 1983). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Priory, and School". National Park Service. Retrieved December 7, 2022. With accompanying eight photos from 1983
  15. 1 2 "Trade Notes, Personal Factors / Seattle". Pacific Builder and Engineer. 11 (21): 225. May 27, 1911. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Larabee, Mary Ann, Memorial Presbyterian Church, Deer Lodge, MT". Pacific Coast Architecture Database. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  17. ↑ Beezer Brothers (1894). Architecture - Practical and Theoretical, Containing Designs for Residences, Business and Public Buildings, Together with Several Interesting and Instructive Articles Pertaining to Architecture and Building Materials. Beezer Bros.
  18. ↑ Beezer Brothers (1899). Catalog of Beezer Brothers, Architects, Altoona, Pennsylvania: Containing Designs for Residences, Business and Public Buildings. Beezer Bros. OCLC 11272575.
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