This article is about the Michigan architect. For the cornetist, see Claire Allen (musician).
Claire Allen (July 29, 1853 – December 22, 1942) was an Americanarchitect prominent in southern Michigan in the early twentieth century, and best known for designing several county courthouses. He was considered a "master regional architect".[1]
Van Buren County Courthouse in Paw Paw, Michigan. More ImagesLee County Savings Bank in Fort Madison, Iowa More Images
Allen moved to Jackson as a young man, and practiced architecture there for 52 years. He established the architectural firm of Claire Allen & Sons. Some 100 structures are attributed to him.[1] His firm designed numerous examples of American neoclassical architecture and colonial revival buildings in Michigan and Iowa, but had a range that encompassed Beaux-Arts Classical and Jacobean Revival styles as well.[1]