Franklin J. Sawtelle FAIA (October 9, 1846 – March 9, 1911) was an American architect in practice in Providence, Rhode Island from 1880 until his death in 1911. Sawtelle had a varied practice but was best known for the design of single-family homes.

Franklin J. Sawtelle
Born(1846-10-09)October 9, 1846
DiedMarch 9, 1911(1911-03-09) (aged 64)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationArchitect
AwardsFellow, American Institute of Architects (1889)
PracticeFranklin J. Sawtelle; Sawtelle, Robertson & Shurrocks
The former Taftville Congregational Church in Taftville, Connecticut, designed by Sawtelle and completed in 1904.
The Hope Building of the Wheeler School in Providence, Rhode Island, designed by Sawtelle with Frances E. Henley and completed by Henley alone in 1913.

Life and career edit

Sawtelle was born October 9, 1846 in Norridgewock, Maine to George Sawtelle and Sarah Herrick Sawtelle, nee Peet. He was educated in the local schools, and as a teenager began his architectural studies in the Portland office of Francis H. Fassett. In 1873 he relocated to Providence, taking a job with Stone & Carpenter. After seven years, in 1880, he opened his own office. He practiced independently for his entire career, except during 1901–1902, when he was senior member of the partnership of Sawtelle, Robertson & Shurrocks with Wayland T. Robertson and Alfred F. Shurrocks.[1] Sawtelle died in 1911, while engaged on the commission for the Wheeler School.[2] The school was completed by Sawtelle's associate, Frances E. Henley.

Sawtelle was actively involved in the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He joined in 1885, and between then and his death served in several different official capacities including as president from 1908 to 1910.[1]

Personal life edit

Sawtelle was married in 1873 to Delia Tappan of Norridgewock. They had no children. Sawtelle died March 9, 1911 in Providence at the age of 64.[1][3]

Architectural works edit

Franklin J. Sawtelle, 1880–1901 and 1902–1911 edit

Sawtelle, Robertson & Shurrocks, 1901–1902 edit

  • 1902 — U. S. Post Office,[a] 652-656 Broadway, Olneyville, Providence, Rhode Island[22]
  • 1902 — Mary L. McCarthy duplex,[f] 71-73 Barnes St, Providence, Rhode Island[23]
  • 1902 — Charles M. Mumford house,[b] 315 Olney St, Providence, Rhode Island[8]
  • 1902 — Robert B. Parker house,[g] 67 Manning St, Providence, Rhode Island[1]
  • 1902 — Simeon B. Tilley house,[n] 353 Olney St, Providence, Rhode Island[8]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Demolished.
  2. ^ a b c A contributing resource to the Olney Street-Alumni Avenue Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1989.
  3. ^ a b A contributing resource to the Wickford Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1974.
  4. ^ a b Designed by Carrère & Hastings, architects, with Franklin J. Sawtelle, associate architect.
  5. ^ A contributing resource to the Stimson Avenue Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1973.
  6. ^ a b A contributing resource to the College Hill Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1970.
  7. ^ a b A contributing resource to the Hope–Power–Cooke Streets Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1973.
  8. ^ A contributing resource to the Wayland Historic District, NRHP-listed in 2005.
  9. ^ A contributing resource to the Taftville historic district, NRHP-listed in 1978.
  10. ^ A contributing resource to the Bristol Waterfront Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1975.
  11. ^ A contributing resource to the Blackstone Boulevard–Cole Avenue–Grotto Avenue Historic District, NRHP-listed in 2009.
  12. ^ Assisted by Frances E. Henley.
  13. ^ Designed in association with Frances E. Henley, who completed the project alone after his death.
  14. ^ Demolished. Formerly a contributing resource to the Olney Street-Alumni Avenue Historic District, NRHP-listed in 1989.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Franklin J. Sawtelle, F. A. I. A.". American Institute of Architects Quarterly Bulletin 1911: 48.
  2. ^ a b c Woodward, Wm. McKenzie. Providence: A Citywide Survey of Historic Resources. 1986.
  3. ^ "F. J. Sawtelle Dead; Veteran Architect," Providence Journal, March 10, 1911.
  4. ^ East Providence, Rhode Island: Statewide Preservation Report P-EP-1. 1976.
  5. ^ Sanitary Engineer 30 Aug. 1883: 308.
  6. ^ American Architect and Building News 5 Jan. 1884: 12.
  7. ^ Sanitary Engineer 16 July 1885: 136.
  8. ^ a b c d Olney Street-Alumni Avenue Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1989.
  9. ^ Historical Manual: Central Congregational Church, Providence, Rhode Island. 1902.
  10. ^ Engineering and Building Record 29 Oct. 1889: 196.
  11. ^ a b North Kingstown, R. I.: Statewide Historical Preservation Report W-NK-1. 1979
  12. ^ Engineering Record 17 June 1893: 49.
  13. ^ American Architect and Building News 6 Oct. 1894: 6.
  14. ^ Jordy, William H. Buildings of Rhode Island. 2004.
  15. ^ Engineering Record 12 Oct. 1895: x.
  16. ^ Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide 17 Sept. 1904: 604.
  17. ^ Providence Festival of Historic Houses June 2–4, 1989
  18. ^ Historic and Architectural Resources of Bristol, Rhode Island. 1990.
  19. ^ Blackstone Boulevard-Cole Avenue-Grotto Avenue Historic District NRHP Nomination. 2009.
  20. ^ "A Woman Architect And Her Achievements," Providence Journal, June 11, 1911, 8.
  21. ^ Buzila, Ciprian. "A Shell for Knowledge at Mary C. Wheeler School". Rhode Tour. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  22. ^ American Architect and Building News 15 Feb. 1902: xi.
  23. ^ Providence Preservation Society Records for 71-73 Barnes Street. 1987.