Charles Ronald Aldrich (July 12, 1866 – June 30, 1939) was an architect active in Minnesota in the late 19th century and Los Angeles and Seattle in the early 20th century.
Life and career
Aldrich was born in Utica, Michigan[1] on July 12, 1866.[2] In 1885, he and his family moved to Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1888. After graduating, Aldrich worked as an architect and instructor at his alma-mater, and in 1899, he opened his own practice in the area.[1][3]
In 1905, Aldrich relocated to Seattle. He was listed as a draftsman in 1905, worked as an architect for the Trustee Company from 1905 to 1910, and then as a principal architect for his own firm from 1910 to 1914. He partnered with G.A. Hunt from 1911 to 1914.[1][4]
Aldrich died on June 30, 1939.[2]
Architectural style
Buildings designed by Aldrich were often understated and featured spare use of revival style decorative elements, particularly Beaux Arts.[3]
Works
Aldrich's significant works include:[1]
Minneapolis–Saint Paul
- C.R. Aldrich House, Saint Anthony Park, (1895)
- University of Minnesota Armory, 15 Church Street SE (1895-1896), NRHP-listed[5]
- Dr. M.H. Reynolds House, Blake Avenue and Langford Park West (1900)
- University of Minnesota Physics Building, (renamed Jones Hall in 1931) (1900-1901), NRHP-listed[5]
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Hall (1902)
- University of Minnesota State Farm Chemical Laboratory (1902)
- Minneapolis Public Library, John S. Pillsbury Branch (1902-1904)
Elsewhere in Minnesota
- Saint John's University Gymnasium (aka "Guild Hall," Collegeville (1901)
- Thief River Falls High School, Thief River Falls (1902)
Elsewhere
- Judson-Rives Building, 424 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, California (1906-7), NRHP-listed[6]
- Central Building, Seattle, Washington (1909)
- Olds, Wortman and King Department Store, Portland, Oregon (1910), NRHP-listed[3][4]
- Fleischmann's Yeast Factory, Sumner, Washington
References
- ^ a b c d "Charles Ronald Aldrich", Pacific Coast Architecture Database
- ^ a b "Aldrich, Charles Ronald (1866-1939)". americanbuildings.org. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the Judson Rives Building" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. February 1, 2007.
- ^ a b Tess, John M. & Richard E. Ritz (March 15, 1990). "Olds, Wortman & King Department Store" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "University of Minnesota Old Campus Historic District". United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service. August 23, 1984.
- ^ "California SP Broadway Theater and Commercial District". United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service. May 9, 1979.