David Elmer Postle Sr. (1863–1939) was an architect primarily known for his designs in the Chicago metropolitan area.[1]

David E. Postle
Born1863
Died1939(1939-00-00) (aged 75–76)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationArchitect
Buildings

Postle was born in 1863 on a farm in Ohio.[1] He moved to Illinois to study architecture and engineering at the University of Illinois.[1][2] The first building he designed was a house in Elgin, Illinois in 1892, which was built for George Richardson, the superintendent of David C. Cook Publishing.[1] He married Richardson's daughter, Georgia, on October 24, 1893, and moved into the Richardsons' home.[1][3] Postle and his wife moved into another house he designed in Elgin in 1903.[1] Postle designed many buildings in Elgin, including Lords Park Pavilion and the Elgin Public Museum, both local historic landmarks, as well as the David C. Cook Publishing Building, the old Elgin High School, the Masonic Temple, and dozens of homes.[1][4][5][6]

Postle designed the Pattington Apartments in Chicago in 1902, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[7][8][2] He went on to design many other courtyard-style apartment buildings in Chicago.[1] Postle later partnered with John Baptiste Fischer,[9] and designed an addition to the Downey-Farrell Company factory building in Chicago in 1917,[8] and additions to the Elgin Watch Company factory in 1920.[10][11]

In 1921, Postle moved to Los Angeles, and partnered with his son, David E. Postle Jr.[1][2][9] He designed many buildings in Los Angeles County in the 1920s, including the Self Help Graphics & Art building, utilizing the popular revival styles of the era.[2][12]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Gathman, Dave. "House tour offers insight to historic Elgin architect", Daily Herald. September 5, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "Self Help Graphics & Art", California Department of Parks and Recreation. Historic Resources Group, LLC. June 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  3. ^ The Inter Ocean. October 25, 1893. p. 12. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  4. ^ Bjorklund, Janice. "Elgin's lopsided museum named historical landmark", Chicago Tribune. March 24, 1992. pp. C1, C7.
  5. ^ Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois. Pantagraph Printing and Stationery Company. October 4, 1904. p. 42. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  6. ^ Stone. Volume 24, No. 5. May 1902. p. 484. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  7. ^ Little, Anne (August 14, 1987). "Courtyard Buildings a Piece of History". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  8. ^ a b American Institute of Architects Chicago (2014) AIA Guide to Chicago. Third Edition. University of Illinois Press. pp. 170, 235. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  9. ^ a b The Economist. July 23, 1921. p. 198. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  10. ^ The American Contractor. June 26, 1920. p. 39. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  11. ^ "Elgin Company to Build: $500,000", The Economist. December 24, 1921. p. 1375. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  12. ^ "Self Help Graphics & Art Building / Brooklyn State Bank", Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved December 17, 2019.