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It’s no secret that there are some extraordinary buildings in St. Louis, packed with history and genius. These buildings span a number of decades and styles, each telling its own personal story about architectural design and the history of St. Louis. There are countless architects that have contributed to St. Louis’ beloved buildings and designs, and William Butts Ittner is just one of them. William Butts Ittner was born in St. Louis in 1864. His father Andrew left his schooling at the tender age of 9 to work in a lead factory. Other employment followed, including work as a bricklayer, which later led to the establishment of Ittner Bros. Brick Company in 1859. Andrew was not only laying bricks literary, but was figuratively laying bricks for what would be a successful career in architecture for his son, William. The firm eventually expanded into construction, and the row of famously Italianate houses on Shenandoah were built and owned by the Ittner Bros. Anthony eventually was elected to City Council and then congress in 1877. Throughout his political career, Ittner worked to establish trade schools for American young men, another great precursor to the career of William Butts Ittner. William was a member of the first class to receive diplomas from Washington University’s Manual Training School. He then graduated with a degree in architecture from Cornell University, followed by travels in Europe and the eventual return to St. Louis. He married Lottie Crane Allen and began practicing architecture with Eames & Young’s office. William left his mark all over the great city of St. Louis, including the 1891 house at 6034 West Cabanne Place. Two Shingle Style houses from 1892 have been demolished; three Compton Heights houses are extant: 3439 Longfellow (1893), 3013 Hawthorne (1894) and 3435 Hawthorne (with Link & Rosenheim in 1895). Arguably the best building that William designed in St. Louis is at 2137-39 California, nearby to the Ittner family brickyards. The somewhat avant-garde building is a two-story brick edifice of wonderful sophistication and strength. It has a timeless quality that seems to be the trademark of William’s buildings. The St. Louis chapter of the American Institute of Architects had the pleasure of having William preside as the President from 1893-95. His was eventually elected to the new office of Commissioner of School Buildings for the Board of Education. William designed the Eliot School and Bryan Mullanphy. Not only did he go on to design 50 school buildings in St. Louis, his firm went-on to produce hundreds of school buildings in over 25 states. William Ittner was a great architect in the history and construction of St. Louis, and he’s not alone. There are countless other geniuses who constructed the very framework of St. Louis. Read about people like George and Thomas Barnett, the latter of whom built the stunning Spanish Mission Art Deco establishment at 3207 Washington Ave. Such architects have left their footprint in St. Louis for all of posterity to see!
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Mark Bradley is a real estate historian and investor. Specializing in renovating historic architecture. For a 15 page historic report on Mark’s Spanish Mission Building at 3207 Washington Ave St Louis Mo 63103 go to www.3207washington.com
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