Frederic Joseph DeLongchamps (June 2, 1882 – February 11, 1969) was an American architect. He was one of Nevada's most prolific architects, yet is notable for entering the architectural profession with no extensive formal training. He has also been known as Frederick J. DeLongchamps, and was described by the latter name in an extensive review of the historic importance of his works which led to many of them being listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s.
Life
Early life and education
Born Frederic Joseph DeLonchamps in Reno, Nevada on January 2, 1882, the son of Felix DeLongchamps and Exilda Gibeau. He was raised in Washoe County, graduating from Reno High School in 1900, then the University of Nevada in 1904 with a degree in mining engineering.
From 1909 to 1938, DeLongchamps maintained his own firm and became one of Nevada's most prolific architects. He designed both private and public buildings including nine county courthouses in Nevada and California. He was awarded the contract to design the Nevada Buildings for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915), winning a silver medal for his work. DeLongchamps was appointed Nevada State Architect in 1919 and was the only person to hold the position, which was abolished in 1926. During this time, he designed many state buildings.
In 1939, George L. F. O'Brien joined DeLongchamps in partnership in Reno, and Hewitt Wells added his name to the association in 1962. The architectural firm of DeLongchamps, O'Brien and Wells continued to design buildings, mainly in the Reno area, into the 1960s.
Legacy
DeLongchamps died in Reno, Nevada on February 11, 1969. He was survived by his son, Galen (08 Aug 1916-22 Jul 2001). He was the father-in-law of the noted poet and artist Joanne de Longchamps (that is how she spelled the name), who married DeLongchamps's adopted son Galen.
Russell Mills is one who worked as a draftsman for DeLongchamps and went on to have a career as an independent architect.
Many of DeLongchamps' works have been listed on the National Register.[1][2]
Distinguished Service Award, University of Nevada, Reno, 1966
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Frederic DeLongchamps.
A Guide to the Frederic J. Delongchamps Architectural Drawings And Papers Collection Archived 2017-01-09 at the Wayback Machine, University of Nevada, Reno
^Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Depot NRHP Registration Form (1980)
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab acJulie Nicoletta, Buildings of Nevada (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000)
^Nevada–California–Oregon Railway Passenger Station NRHP Registration Form (1983)
^Joseph Giraud House NRHP Registration Form (1984)
^ a b c d eUniversity of Nevada Reno Historic District NRHP Registration Form (1987)
^ a b c d e f g hMella Rothwell Harmon, "The Extraordinary Career of Frederic J. DeLongchamps" in Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 49, no. 3 (Fall 2006): 183-220.
^Mary Lee Nichols School NRHP Registration Form (2002)
^Farmer's Bank of Carson Valley NRHP Registration Form (1986)
^Douglass-Frey Ranch NRHP Registration Form (2015)
^Vachina Apartments-California Apartments NRHP Registration Form (1986)
^Alpine County Courthouse NRHP Registration Form (2004)
^Webster School, NoeHill, no date. Accessed October 13, 2023.
^"DeLongchamps, Fred(eric) J(oseph)" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1962): 163.
^Washoe County Library NRHP Registration Form (2003)