Frederic Joseph DeLongchamps

The Washoe County Courthouse in Reno, designed by DeLongchamps and completed in 1911, with additions completed in 1946, 1949 and 1963 by DeLongchamps & O'Brien. The Minden Inn, designed by DeLongchamps and completed in 1916. The Thompson Building of the University of Nevada, Reno, designed by DeLongchamps and completed in 1920. The Humboldt County Courthouse in Winnemucca, designed by DeLongchamps and completed in 1921. The Pershing County Courthouse in Lovelock, designed by DeLongchamps and completed in 1921. The former Ormsby County Courthouse in Carson City, designed by DeLongchamps and completed in 1922. The Riverside Hotel in Reno, designed by DeLongchamps and completed in 1927. The Reno Main Post Office, designed by DeLongchamps and completed in 1934. Thunderbird Lodge on Lake Tahoe, designed by DeLongchamps and completed in 1938. Frederic Joseph DeLongchamps (June 2, 1882 – February 11, 1969) was an American architect. He was one of Nevada's most prolific architects, yet is notable for entering the architectural profession with no extensive formal training. He has also been known as Frederick J. DeLongchamps, and was described by the latter name in an extensive review of the historic importance of his works which led to many of them being listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s.

Life

Early life and education Born Frederic Joseph DeLonchamps in Reno, Nevada on January 2, 1882, the son of Felix DeLongchamps and Exilda Gibeau. He was raised in Washoe County, graduating from Reno High School in 1900, then the University of Nevada in 1904 with a degree in mining engineering.

Career DeLongchamps was employed as a mining engineer and draftsman in Inyo County, California before he embarked on a career in architecture. He spent a short time in San Francisco where he may have apprenticed, but he returned to Nevada in 1907 and formed a partnership with Ira W. Tesch.

From 1909 to 1938, DeLongchamps maintained his own firm and became one of Nevada's most prolific architects. He designed both private and public buildings including nine county courthouses in Nevada and California. He was awarded the contract to design the Nevada Buildings for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915), winning a silver medal for his work. DeLongchamps was appointed Nevada State Architect in 1919 and was the only person to hold the position, which was abolished in 1926. During this time, he designed many state buildings.

In 1939, George L. F. O'Brien joined DeLongchamps in partnership in Reno, and Hewitt Wells added his name to the association in 1962. The architectural firm of DeLongchamps, O'Brien and Wells continued to design buildings, mainly in the Reno area, into the 1960s.

Legacy DeLongchamps died in Reno, Nevada on February 11, 1969. He was survived by his son, Galen (08 Aug 1916-22 Jul 2001). He was the father-in-law of the noted poet and artist Joanne de Longchamps (that is how she spelled the name), who married DeLongchamps's adopted son Galen.

Russell Mills is one who worked as a draftsman for DeLongchamps and went on to have a career as an independent architect.

Many of DeLongchamps' works have been listed on the National Register.

Works F. J. DeLongchamps, 1909–1939 1910 – Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad Depot (former), 325 E 4th St, Reno, Nevada 1911 – Washoe County Courthouse, 117 S Virginia St, Reno, Nevada 1912 – Lakeview station (former), 1400 Center St, Lakeview, Oregon 1912 – Lyon County Courthouse, 31 S Main St, Yerington, Nevada 1914 – I.O.O.F. Building, Mason Valley, 1 S Main St, Yerington, Nevada 1914 – Oats Park Grammar School, 167 E Park St, Fallon, Nevada 1915 – Reno National Bank Building, 204 N Virginia St, Reno, Nevada 1918 – Farmers Bank of Carson Valley, 1597 Esmeralda Ave, Minden, Nevada 1920 – Robert L. Douglass ranch house, 1075 Dodge Ln, Fallon, Nevada 1920 – Thompson Building, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada 1923 – Humboldt Hotel, S Bridge St and E Winnemucca Blvd, Winnemucca, Nevada 1929 – Webster School, 270 Laramie St, Markleeville, California 1930 – Mackay Science Building, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada 1959 – Union Federal Savings and Loan Association Building, 195 S Sierra St, Reno, Nevada

Awards Silver medal, Panama Pacific International Exposition, 1915, Nevada Buildings Distinguished Service Award, University of Nevada, Reno, 1966