William Resor Stokes

William Resor Stokes (September 30, 1854 – January 18, 1935) was an American architect and contractor, who garnered significant recognition for designing residential and educational structures in the Portland, Oregon, area. His son, Francis Marion Stokes, later went on to continue making significant contributions to the architecture of the Portland Area.

Career William Stokes learned the profession from his father, who was a brick mason, where he made the majority of his career while working with Richard L. Zeller. During this time, he also occasionally designed projects to be executed by local architects elsewhere as evidenced by work executed in Seattle. He was especially known for his public school buildings constructed across the state of Oregon. His career continued until retirement in 1920.

Portland High School Portland High school was "Transition or Semi-Norman" in style, and measured 200 feet deep by 140 feet wide, featuring a four-story atrium with a skylight. The building was initially projected to cost $40,000, final cost exceeding $123,385.85. The building required repairs within its first decade, and the roof around the skylight had begun to sag. Stokes responded that the School Board had been overzealous and that green lumber used in construction had suffered shrinkage. The Girls' Polytechnic School later used the building until 1928. It was constructed on high ground with an unobstructed silhouette. The style was described as "Modern English Gothic", and the interior featured Spanish mahogany and native cedar, while the foyer had a tile floor, mahogany double doors featuring art glass, and a "double-Newell mahogany staircase of unique design". The attic held a social hall, and an elevator ran from basement to attic. 1892, (razed 1929) Goodnough Building, SW 5th & Yamhill, Portland expanded 1889 Ladd Residence, Laurelhurst (razed 1928) (streets renamed Couch & 15th) 1st Methodist Episcopal Church, Seattle, 1887–1889 (razed 1907–1909) Frank C. Barnes House, 1913, Stokes & Zeller