Frederick W. Keith

Frederick Walcott Keith
Born	1887 Chicago, Illinois
Died	1954 Chicago, Illinois
Nationality	United States
Occupation	Architect
Practice	F. W. Keith, Keith & Kurke
Buildings	Bismarck Public Library, Gillette Hall, Beulah School, Liberty Memorial Building

Public Library, Bismarck, 1917.

Liberty Memorial Building, Bismarck, 1920.

School of Law, University of North Dakota, 1922.

Leach Public Library, Wahpeton, 1923.

A. O. U. W. Building, Fargo, 1925.

Frederick W. Keith (1887-1954) was an American architect practicing in Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Fargo, North Dakota. After a successful independent practice, he joined forces with William F. Kurke as Keith & Kurke.

Life

Frederick Keith was a Chicago native, born in 1887.^[1] He worked as designer and draftsman for Chicago architect Jarvis Hunt until 1914, when he went to Grand Forks. There, he worked for William J. Edwards, a prominent local designer.^[2] In December of 1915 he established an office in Grand Forks for himself.^[3] In June of 1916 he went west to Bismarck, the city with which he is most associated.^[2] With the exception of a time of graduate work in Chicago from 1918-19,^[4] he practiced independently until he associated with Fargo architect William F. Kurke in 1920. Keith & Kurke were the designated state architects, and designed the Liberty Memorial Building in Bismarck as well as many buildings on the campuses of the state schools. Keith & Kurke dissolved in 1926, and Keith returned to Chicago. He died there in 1954.

Architectural work

Frederick W. Keith, 1915-1920

• 1916- Henry H. Steele House, 103 W Ave B, Bismarck, North Dakota^[5]
• 1916 - Wishek City Hall, 21 Centennial St, Wishek, North Dakota^[6]
  • Demolished c.2010
• 1917 - Gillette Hall, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota^[7]
• 1917 - Bismarck Public Library, 517 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, North Dakota^[8]
  • Demolished
• 1918 - Armory, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota^[9]
• 1920 - Beulah School, 202 2nd St NW, Beulah, North Dakota^[10]

Keith & Kurke, 1920-1926

• 1920 - Liberty Memorial Building, 604 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, North Dakota^[11]
• 1921 - Stickney Hall, Dickinson State University, Dickinson, North Dakota^[12]
• 1922 - May Hall, Dickinson State University, Dickinson, North Dakota^[13]
• 1922 - Morrill Hall, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota^[14]
• 1922 - School of Law, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota.]^[15]
• 1923 - Graichen Gymnasium, Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota^[16]
• 1923 - Herbst Dept. Store, 16 Broadway N, Fargo, North Dakota^[17]
• 1923 - Leach Public Library, 417 2nd Ave N, Wahpeton, North Dakota
• 1925 - A. O. U. W. Building (Old), 811 2nd Ave N, Fargo, North Dakota^[18]
• 1926 - Riley Building, 10 Roberts St N, Fargo, North Dakota^[19]

References

1. "Frederick W. Keith". http://www.findagrave.com/. 13 April 2014.
2. Bismarck (ND) Tribune 18 June 1916: 3.
3. American Contractor 1 June 1916: 93.
4. Bismarck (ND) Tribune 28 Sept. 1918: 5.
5. Cathedral Area Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1980.
6. Old Wishek City Hall NRHP Nomination. 2005.
7. Stone Dec. 1917: 655.
8. Library Journal June 1917: 484.
9. American Contractor 12 Oct. 1918: 30.
10. Engineering and Contracting 31 March 1920: 66.
11. Engineering and Contracting 2 June 1920: 76.
12. American Contractor 11 Sept. 1920: 53.
13. Engineering News-Record 16 March 1922: 120.
14. North Dakota State University District NRHP Nomination. 1986.
15. American Contractor 29 July 1922: 52.
16. State Normal School at Valley City Historic District NRHP Nomination. 1995.
17. Bridgemen's Magazine 1923: 177.
18. Engineering News-Record 1925: 376.
19. Downtown Fargo District NRHP Nomination. 1983.