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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArchitect H S Laird and the 1900 Johnson Block 1 ARCHITECT H. S. LAIRD AND THE C. H. JOHNSON BLOCK, 1900 The Johnson Block from the Fire Department’s Souvenir of San Luis Obispo, June 1904 H. S. Laird Hilamon Spencer Laird, called by the Telegram in 1914 the“pioneer architect of the city,” is documented as having designed nine of San Luis Obispo’s Master List buildings—including all or part of two National Register buildings—more than any other architect. Among them are monumental structures on three of the four corners of Higuera and Chorro Streets, the grandest of which is the Johnson Block, consisting of a corner tower and two wings, designed like the tower and curtain wall of a Tuscan castle. Laird was born in New York State in 1835. From 1860 to 1866 he worked in Marin as a dairyman. The Tribune mentions him for the first time in 1874 as architect of the Methodist Episcopal Church; his last known work is 1911 Craftsman cottage. He died here in 1914. The Johnson Block Laird’s Johnson Block was built in 1900 to replace a series of wood structures between the Warden Block and the creek that burned in 1899. They were owned by Charles H. Johnson (1826–1915), customs inspector for the Port of San Luis from 1852, president of SLO’s first Board of Trustees in 1859, State Assemblyman from 1861. The new Johnson Block was designed and built by its architect and client as a single structure when the city was trying to fireproof downtown. The 8 April 1899 Tribune wrote: Architect Laird has the plans drawn, and only a few details remain to be worked out. All the space swept by the fire is to be filled with brick structures, from the creek on the north to the Warden building on the south. On the corner of Chorro and Higuera streets, where the old Olive Branch stood, will be erected a handsome two-story modern building, and flanking it on either side will be one-story stores. Mr. Johnson believes in building for the future, and feeling confident that the town will soon outgrow these small buildings, will construct them so that another story can be added when he feels justified in doing so. Laird worked fluidly in many styles. The Johnson Block’s corner tower, wings, crenellation, and faux machicolation recall Medieval structures that a Romanesque Revivalist would 2 have known well. Structural expression and use of glass transition from his 1891 Richardsonian Romanesque Commercial Bank on the south to the modern business box of the 1904 Warden Tower Building on the north. Store and office tenants moved into the Johnson Block in February 1900. The second stories were never built; eventually two bays on the south were heavily altered to accommodate Woolworth. While most of the Johnson Block was Master Listed, the surviving 782–790 Higuera wing was placed on the Contributing List in 1983, presumably because it was still covered with modern stucco. In 2009 the facade was restored and the parapet reconstructed to their documented original appearance to Secretary of the Interior Standards with the approval of the Cultural Heritage Committee but were not upgraded at that time to the Master List. San Luis Obispo’s H. S. Laird buildings are eligible for a multiple property listing on the National Register of Historic Places for embodiment of a type or period, possessing high aristic values, and representing the work of a master. James Papp, Historicities LLC Historian and Architectural Historian, Secretary of the Interior Professional Qualification Standards | 26 April 2020 THE DOCUMENTED BUILDINGS OF H. S. LAIRD Methodist Episcopal Church, 1874 (demolished) Tribune, 14 March 1874: ME Church.— We were shown this week by Rev. Mr. Haskins, pastor of the ME Church of this place, the plans for a new church building, to be erected shortly on a lot on Garden street, in the Mission Vineyard lately purchased by the members of that denomination for that purpose. … The [illegible] are drafted by Mr. H. S. Laird, and reflects credit on that gentleman’s architectural ability. 3 Bank of San Luis Obispo, 1877 (demolished) Tribune, 16 September 1876: It is well known that when the of the Bank of California upset the money market of the Pacific Coast, that the Bank of San Luis Obispo halted all arrangements to build a bank worthy the name and the institution, but the demoralized situation of affairs admonished them to defer it for a season. Since the bottom has been reached, and financial mutters are again in the ascendency, the directors have decided to build at once. We saw the plans that have been adopted on Thursday last, and pronounce them as near perfection as possible. … The two fronts will have French plate windows of large dimensions. It will be of iron and brick, built in the most substantial manner; H. S. Laird, architect. Tribune, 14 April 1877: THE NEW BANK The new building has been in course of construction for the past six months … .The construction of the building has been under the immediate supervision of Mr. H. S. Laird, and the convenient arrangements in all parts of the building, together with the workmanship, is proof positive that he is an architect of no mean order. County Hospital, 1878 (demolished) Tribune, 17 Aug 1878: The County Hospital, now being built by Mr. H. S. Laird, is beginning to assume the proportions of a fine building. It is situated on high ground about three-quarters of a mile east from the court-house and makes a very showy appearance. First Presbyterian Church, 1884 (demolished) Tribune, 4 July 1884: The frame is up for the new Presbyterian Church on the southeast corner of Morro and Marsh streets. The new building occupies the site of the former edifice, now attached to Laughery’s Hotel, the lot being 60 feet on Morro street by 110 feet on Marsh. The new building will be [illegible] feet in length and 32 in width with an outside tower on the corner toward the streets, of 8 by 10 feet in dimensions. The architecture is in the Queén Anne style, Mr. H. S. Laird of the firm of Walker & Laird being the architect, and 4 Messrs. Wilson and Weaver the builders. The ground plan and architectural drawing show quite an irregular structure, but the whole has a pleasing effect, if we except the spire, which is to be but 46 feet to the topmost point, leaving it rather dumpy and unfinished. We would suggest a good belfry story of ten or twelve feet to add the height. The stated capacity of the Church is calculated at 210. The drawing of the altar and pulpit show a pretty design, and other truss ties and finishings give promise of a handsome interior. It is expected to be ready for occupation about the 15th of September. The cost is placed at $2,500. Pavilion of the 16th District Fair, 1887 (demolished) Crocker Block, 1888 (demolished) Norton House, 1889 (demolished) Tribune, 28 July 1889: Another house which is well under way and which will cost about the same, is that of Mr. Norton’s on Monterey street, nearly opposite Broad. The architect is H. S. Laird, Esq. of San Luis, who designed the Pavilion, the Crocker block and a number more of our prominent public and private edifices. The plan of the Norton residence is related to the class of architecture which has been developed largely in California with special reference to the importance of sunlight, and its numerous bay windows would seem to guarantee a liberal absorption of the rays of the great luminary. Commercial Bank, 1891 (extant; Master List) Tribune, 25 November 1891: PROGRESS. The Growth of the First National Bank Building. The progress of the Reed vs. Norton case, and the progress of the bank building constitute about all the [illegible] that our aristocracy have to attend. … The bank building makes a steady growth generally satisfactory to the volunteer overseers and superintendents, who manage to make time, at least two or three times a day, to drop in and inspect the work. Architect Laird does a little grumbling at times. Almost everything in the way of material which goes into the building is to be brought from Los Angeles or San Francisco, and although every last bit was ordered at once, ‘as soon as the contract was signed, yet it takes time to get out the orders and forward them. The castings for the building are large and, although they might have been gotten out at Waite and Ryan’s foundry, yet the making of the molds for such large and handsome work would have taken all the profit from the job. Naturally we have no terracotta manufactory since there has been as yet no 5 demand here to call for it. Ditto, ditto pressed brick. And the bank vault, of course, had to be manufactured elsewhere, although the steel sheets of which it is largely composed, are put together here by our own mechanics. Shipsey House, 1894 (extant; National Register of Historic Places) Tribune, 10 July 1894: Another Improvement. The construction of a residence by Mr. William Shipsey has been on the carpet for quite a long time, but for various reasons has been postponed from time to time, but we learn that' he has at last made his arrangements and ordered the work to proceed. Maino & Moore have the contract and will go ahead at once. The house will cost about $3,000 and will be a striking addition to the residence property of the town. Architect Laird furnished the plans. It will be situated on the corner of Essex and Peach streets, from which point there is a magnificent view. Call Building, 1895 (extant) Tribune, 12 February 1895: Sometime since it was noted that it was the intention of Mrs. Call to remove the wooden 6 structures on the corner of Monterey and Morro streets and erect a brick building in their place. Work on the building is soon to commence. The Forrester Bros., whose business is that of moving houses, came up yesterday from Guadalupe and are figuring on the removal of the old buildings from Monterey street to another portion of the city, possibly to the corner of Osos and Higuera streets. H. S. Laird, the well known architect, has the drawing of the plans and specifications completed. The building is to be a modern two-story one and the lower part will be divided into store rooms, while the upper story will be fitted up for office purposes. It to be hoped that the erection of more brick buildings will follow. Nott House, Salinas, 1898 (extant) Tribune, 2 August 1898: T. R. Nott has let the contract for building a two-story frame cottage on the corner of Cayuga and San Luis streets to George C. Thompson. The new house will have five rooms on the first and four on the second floor, will cost $2,490, and must be completed within 90 days. H. S. Laird is the architect.—Salinas Index. Kimball House, 1903 (extant; Master List) Tribune, 13 Feb 1903: It is One of Many Now Being Built in San Luis Obispo. BEAUTIFUL IN ITS DESIGN. H. S. Laird is the Architect and Grimm and Rasmussen the Builders. CONVENIENT IN ARRANGEMENT. Brief Description of John F. Ingram’s New Home—lt Will Be Occupied About March 1st. Of the many nice home-houses recently built in San Luis Obispo perhaps none excels in convenience of arrangement as well as style the nine-room residence of John F. Ingram, designed by Architect H. S. Laird, and built by Stephen Grimm and Jas. P. Rasmussen. Mr. Ingram's location is on the northwesterly corner of Islay and Broad streets. Upham House (extant; Master List) Tribune, 8 March 1903: BUILDING STILL CONTINUES. Description of houses under construction. Design and Arrangement of Fine Residence of Mrs. Elliott Soon to Be Completed. Residences of the better class continue to be erected in San Luis Obispo as fast as workmen can be found to construct them. New ideas and designs are constantly being introduced and the Tribune believes the description in brief detail of some of the 7 houses being built is of interest to all, especially to those who contemplate building, and that includes nearly everyone in San Luis Obispo who does not already occupy a new house. Through the kindness of Architect Laird we are enabled to describe the new residence of Mrs. Mary Elliott now well on toward completion on the southerly side of Buchon street, between Chorro and Garden streets. Hourihan House, 1904 (extant; Master List) Tribune, 15 September 1904: WORK TO BEGIN. Work commences on the new residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. Hourihan next week. The plans were drawn by H. S. Laird and John Chapek has the contract. This location is on Buchon street near Chorro, opposite the new residence of Wm. Albert. H. M. Warden Junior Tower Block, 1904 (extant, Master List) Tribune, 8 December 1904: Splendid Workmanship Is Evident in the Construction of the Warden Jr Block Just Completed. … The building was designed by Architect H. S. Laird of this city who never designs a homely or poor structure. 8 Greenfield Building (extant; Master List) Tribune, 6 August 1909: Building permits were granted as follows on motion of Trustee McCaffrey: A. F. Fitzgerald, two story brick, 20 by 50, on block 80 [86, as per Historic Buildings Permit File, Cal Poly Special Collections], Higuera street, cost £5,000, H. S. Laird architect, J. Maino and Sons, contractors. Carnegie Library portico, 1909 (extant; National Register of Historic Places) Telegram, 30 October 1909: TO CONTRACTORS.—The Free Public Library of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby invites sealed proposals for furnishing materials and constructing a portico to the library building, with walks, etc., according to plans and specification by H. S. Laird, architect, on file with the undersigned, to which reference is hereby made for particulars. A certified check, payable to the president of the Board of Trustees of said library, for an amount equal to ten per cent of the bid, must accompany each bid; and such check shall be forfeited if the bid be accepted and the bidder fails to enter into a contract accordingly. Sealed proposals must be filed with the undersigned on or before November 16, 1909, at noon, and shall be endorsed “Portico Bid.” By order of the Board of Trustees of said library. FRANCES M. MILNE, 10-30 11-13 Clerk of said Board. Nelson House, 1104 Palm, 1911 (extant) Tribune, 7 July 1911: Nelson for cottage 32x46 on lot 4, blk 32, to cost $2700. H. S. Laird architect, Maino & Sons contractors.