Franklin J. Sawtelle

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. Franklin J. Sawtelle (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.

Life and career 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. Sawtelle died in 1911, while engaged on the commission for the Wheeler School. 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.

Architectural works Franklin J. Sawtelle, 1880–1901 and 1902–1911 1882 — James Street School, 75 James St, East Providence, Rhode Island 1883 — Mary C. Wheeler house, 26 Cabot St, Providence, Rhode Island 1884 — Horton Building, 19 Park St, Attleboro, Massachusetts 1885 — Bates Block, 7 N Main St, Attleboro, Massachusetts 1886 — Mary J. A. Grinnell house, 2 Brenton Ave, Providence, Rhode Island 1888 — Blackstone Park Chapel, 209 Wayland Ave, Providence, Rhode Island 1889 — Hope Webbing Company Mill, 999-1005 Main St, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 1889 — Horatio A. Hunt House, 165 Waterman St, Providence, Rhode Island 1891 — Gregory Building, 1 Main St, Wickford, Rhode Island 1893 — Sophia F. Brown house, 192 Bowen St, Providence, Rhode Island 1893 — Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell St, Providence, Rhode Island 1895 — Edwin P. Anthony house, 180 Angell St, Providence, Rhode Island 1896 — Charles A. Calder house, 50 Humboldt Ave, Providence, Rhode Island 1896 — Francis W. Carpenter house, 276 Angell St, Providence, Rhode Island 1905 — Smith-Malmstead house, 77 Princeton Ave, Providence, Rhode Island 1906 — Sarah L. Herreshoff house, 11 Burton St, Bristol, Rhode Island 1909 — C. Abbott Phillips house, 150 Slater Ave, Providence, Rhode Island 1911 — Church of Our Father (former), 222 High St, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 1913 — Wheeler School Hope Building, 216 Hope St, Providence, Rhode Island

Sawtelle, Robertson & Shurrocks, 1901–1902 1902 — U. S. Post Office, 652-656 Broadway, Olneyville, Providence, Rhode Island 1902 — Mary L. McCarthy duplex, 71-73 Barnes St, Providence, Rhode Island 1902 — Charles M. Mumford house, 315 Olney St, Providence, Rhode Island 1902 — Robert B. Parker house, 67 Manning St, Providence, Rhode Island 1902 — Simeon B. Tilley house, 353 Olney St, Providence, Rhode Island