The Molly Brown House Museum
1340 Pennsylvania Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
303.832.4092
Fax: 303.832.2340

We care about your privacy and security on the Web. Click here to read our policies regarding your use of this Web site.

Benedict, Jules Jacques Benois (1879-1948) was born in Chicago, Illinois. Benedict studied at l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France for four years then returned to Chicago to become an architect. In 1909 he moved to Denver, CO and established his own firm. European touches learned at the Beaux-Arts school characterized Benedict's buildings, which borrowed from the French Provincial, Italianate and Mediterranean. Many Benedict buildings feature intricate terra cotta and stone doorways, fireplaces, and window lintels. Some of his structures resembled European castles, with stone paneling, travertine marble, ornate plaster ceilings, friezes, and extra-wide stairways of hand-carved wood.

Notable structures built by Benedict include: the Richard C. Campbell mansion at East 9th and York which is now the executive offices of the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Chapel at St. Thomas' Seminary which features great interior beauty reflecting Benedict's Beaux-Arts schooling.

Buell, Temple Hoyne (1895-1990) was born in Chicago, Illinois and studied at the University of Illinois and Columbia University's architectural school. After receiving a near lethal dose of gas during World War I, Buell's doctor advised him to move to Colorado. After staying in a North Denver sanatorium, Buell opened his own firm in 1923. Buell's firm employed as many as 150 people and designed buildings in a wide variety of styles. One of his favorite buildings was his classically-inspired State Service Building at the northwest corner of Colfax and Sherman. "You look at <it> from any angle and the proportions are good. It's so simple and the fenestration fits the design." Through his Temple H. Buell Charitable Foundation, Buell has provided substantial financial support to institutions.

Notable structures built by Buell include: The Paramount Theater and Horace Mann Junior High. Buell also became a prominent developer. He designed and built Cherry Creek Shopping Center (1950-1954) on land he purchased in 1925. With one of the first pedestrian malls in the nation, Buell is credited as any early promoter of the mall concept.

Edbrooke, Frank E. (1840-1921) was born in Lake County Illinois, attended school in Chicago, and served in the Civil War. Edbrooke's was a family of architects and they helped rebuild Chicago after the great 1871 fire. Edbrooke came to Denver in 1879 with his brother Willoughby to build the Tabor Block and the Tabor Grand Opera House. Deciding to stay in Denver, Edbrooke quickly became the town's most notable architect. He used native red sandstone, brick and terra-cotta to create massive but graceful Romanesque structures. Drawing upon his family and professional connections, Edbrooke introduced new styles and techniques to Denver, and could be exuberantly Victorian or show classical restraint.

Notable structures built by Edbrooke include: the Brown Palace Hotel which set a new standard for area architecture both aesthetically and engineering-wise; the Navarre; the Masonic Temple; the Oxford Hotel; and Central Presbyterian Church.

Fisher, Arthur Addison (1878-1965) was born in Clinton, Ontario, Canada and raised in Denver. He attended the Beaux-Arts Atelier Barber in New York. After two years of apprenticeship in New York, Fisher returned to Denver to join his brother's (William Ellsworth) architectural firm. The brothers gained a reputation for their design ability and received many notable commissions. Arthur Fisher traveled throughout southern Europe bringing back a refinement of Mediterranean style design, for which the firm was renowned.

Notable structures built by the Fisher firm include: The Colorado National Bank; Morey Middle School; Presbyterian Hospital; B'nai B'rith Jewish Hospital; and the Denver Public Library.

Fisher, William Ellsworth (1871-1937) was also born in Ontario, Canada and raised in Denver. Fisher studied in New York under C. Powell Karr, returning to Denver in 1892 to open his own firm. Fisher began with Dutch Colonial Revival "bride's delights," first homes for married couples. After his partner left in 1905, William's brother Arthur joined the firm, and together they ran one of the most influential firms in the region, becoming a center of study and apprenticeship for young architects. Fisher founded the Mountain Division of the Architects' Small House Service Bureau, which sold low-cost, well-designed house plans throughout the United States.

More notable structures built by the Fisher firm include: Davis & Shaw Furniture Company; South High School; the Phipps mansion; and the University of Denver stadium.

Fuller, Robert Kenneth (1886-1966) was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, son of an architect. Fuller attended Colorado A & M (now Colorado State University) followed by Cornell University in Ithica, New York. Fuller returned to Colorado in 1908 to join his father's firm which became known as M.W. Fuller and Son. He worked under his father until moving to Denver. Fuller began his own firm in 1917 and designed many public buildings. He was also active with the A.I.A. (American Institute of Architects) including a term as president, a fellowship award, and, he started the A.I.A. Educational Fund in 1934. Fuller had two sons, Kenneth R. Fuller and Quentin R. Fuller who joined him in the field of architecture. The firm continued on with his grand-son Robert K. Fuller making four generations of the Fuller family to practice architecture in Colorado.

Notable structures built by Fuller include: many projects at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado; the Boettcher center at the University of Denver; and, as president of the Allied Architects Association, designed and built Denver's City and County Building.

Greene, Charles Sumner (1868-1957) and Henry Mather (1870-1954) were born in Brighton, Ohio. After moving to St. Louis, Missouri, the brothers attended Manual Training High School and studied drawing, woodworking and other trade skills. Next they attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) but left after a two years because they felt too constrained. In 1893, they followed their parents out west to Pasadena, California and opened a firm there. On their journey west, the brothers stopped at the World's Columbian Exhibition in Chicago and were inspired by the Japanese architecture.They felt they had more freedom in design in California than they would have in the conservative east and began building houses that accented the materials, the natural surroundings, and craftsmanship. Their "Ultimate Bungalows" won them acclaim from the A.I.A. in 1957 and they are accredited with starting the Craftsman/Bungalow style.

Notable Structures built by Greene and Greene include: the Bandini House; the Gamble House; and the Tichenor House.

Hoyt, Burnham F. (1887-1960) was born in Denver's old Highland neighborhood. Encouraged by his older brother Merrill, himself and architect, Burnham began his formal architectural training at the Beaux-Arts Institute in New York City in 1908. Hoyt won many competitions and began working for a prestigious firm in New York City. After serving in World War I, Hoyt returned to Denver in 1919 to form a partnership with his brother. The firm prospered during Denver's postwar growth period and designed a variety of buildings including the Denver Press Club and several large and fashionable houses. Hoyt returned to New York City in 1926 for a commission from John D. Rockefeller, Jr. to design the Riverside Church on Morningside Heights in New York City. Deciding to stay, he joined the faculty of the New York School of Architecture as critic then as dean. After the sudden death of his brother Merrill in 1933, Burnham returned to Denver to complete his brother's commissions and after marrying Mildred Fuller in 1936, returned to Denver permanently. It was after this period that Hoyt excelled, receiving many awards and wide public recognition. Hoyt's work shows the clearest examples in the region of the transition from historic styles, through 1930's eclecticism to the mainstream modern movement of post World War II.

Notable structures built by Hoyt include: St. Martin's Chapel at St. John's Cathedral; the Central Library of the Denver Public Library which now has the addition by Michael Graves; Boettcher School for Crippled Children; and, his most well-known work, the Red Rocks Amphitheater outside of Denver, an adaptation of natural topographic features and rock formations. This project  was selected by the Museum of Modern Art in New York as one of fifty outstanding examples of American architecture in the decade.

Hunt, Richard Morris (1827-1895) was born in Vermont, moving to Paris, France at an early age. Hunt studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He became an assistant there after graduation. Hunt moved to New York City in 1855. Working off of historical styles, Hunt was influenced by French Renaissance style becoming one of the foremost architects of 19th century Eclecticism using steeply pitched roofs, towers, turrets, and sculptural ornamentation His style was popular with the aristocratic set and he designed homes for Vanderbilt and Astor. Hunt was one of the founders of the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.)  and opened the first american studio for training young architects.

Notable structures built by Hunt include: the Tribune Building ( one of the first New York City skyscrapers); an expansion to the Capital Building with T.U. Walter; and the pedestal to the Statue of Liberty.

Lang, William A. (1846-1897) was born in Ohio in 1846. After serving in the Civil War, it's believed that he lived and studied in Chicago, Illinois. Lang designed more than 150 houses in Denver between 1888 and 1893 and became a founding member of the Colorado Chapter of the A.I.A. Lang built many elaborate and expensive residences, working in the eclectic combination of Romanesque and Queen Anne styles; but he also served the working class with many jobs under $3,000. The Panic of 1893 virtually ended Lang's career as building came to a halt and Lang, now a waiter, faced financial difficulty and poor health. Lang died in 1897, in Chicago, Illinois after being struck by a passing train.

Notable structures built by Lang include: the William Church house at 1000 Corona; the Bailey residence at 1600 Ogden; and the Molly Brown House Museum at 1340 Pennsylvania St.

Richardson, Henry Hobson (1838-1886) was born in Louisiana. He attended Harvard University then the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Due to family finances after the Civil War, Richardson was unable to finish his education in Paris. Returning to the United States, Richardson became a success, quickly defying his own style, "Richardsonian." Using Romanesque as his base, he added his own style with dramatic arches, massive stone walls and picturesque details.

Notable structures built by Richardson include: Trinity Church in Boston; the Marshall Fields Building in Chicago; and the Allegheny Courthouse in Pittsburgh.

Roeschlaub, Robert S. (1843-1923) was born in Munich, Germany the son of the private physician to the King of Bavaria. Roeschlaub's family immigrated to the United Stated in 1846 settling in Quincy, Illinois. Roeschlaub's father took frequent trips to Colorado due to the 'gold fever bug'. After serving in the Civil War and apprenticing in Quincy for eight years, Roeschlaub moved to Denver, remembering his father's tales, and started his own firm in 1873. His work predominately consisted of schools and churches such as Manual Training High School and Central Presbyterian. He was one of three curators at the State Historical Society, worked on improving Denver's building code, and served as A.I.A. president for 20 years. In 1909 when the architect's licensing law was passed, Roeschlaub was given license Number One.

Notable structures built by Roeschlaub include: Denver High School; Trinity United Methodist; Chamberlin Observatory; and University Hall at the University of Denver.

Shaw, Richard Norman (1831-1913) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He moved to London and studied at the Royal Academy's School of Architecture. After his studies he was awarded a traveling fellowship which enabled him to travel Europe studying and drawing architecture; his drawings were published in 1858. Shaw began practicing in 1863 using mainly vernacular Old English style with half-timbering. Later he moved on to Queen Anne and Edwardian Classicism.

Notable structures built by Shaw include: Leyes Wood, Surrey; Preen Manor, Shropshire; and Merrist Wood, Surrey.

Sterner, Frederick Junius (1862-1931) was born in England in 1862. Sterner began working for F.E. Edbrooke & Co.  in 1882 as a draftsman. He left to partner with Ernest Phillip Varian until 1901 when their draftsman George W. Williamson took Varian's position. Williamson gradually took over until Sterner finally left for New York in 1909. Sterner's early Denver work was Romanesque in style with medievally inspired decorative elements; an example would be the Denver Athletic Club at 1325 Glenarm. Later, Sterner shifted his style to more Neoclassical building houses such as the Tears-McFarlane House and the Cuthbert-Dines House at 1350 Logan.

Notable structures built by Sterner include: Charlene Place at 1421-1441 Pennsylvania St.; The Denver Club; the Daniels & Fisher Tower; the Chapel at Oakes Home; and the University Club.

Varian, Ernest Phillip (1854-1927) was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and began his career as a contractor. Varian moved to Denver in 1880 and began working with W.J. Edbrooke. Their first project was Calvary Baptist Church at 27th and Stout. In 1885, Varian and Frederick J. Sterner formed their partnership, working together until they separated in 1901. Varian worked with George Williamson until 1910 when he started a firm with his son, Lester Ernest Varian.. Varian was a founding member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and active with the Denver Athletic Club and Colorado A.I.A.

Notable structures built by Varian include: the East Denver Lumber Company; Byers Branch Library; the Denver Women's Press Club; and a rare Jacobean style house at 777 Pearl.

Williamson, George Hebard (1872-1936) was born in Brighton, Colorado. Williamson began apprenticing at 16 years of age for Fred A. Hale then moved to the offices of Varian and Sterner in 1890.Williamson was made full partner in 1905 and the firm became Sterner and Williamson but as Sterner spent more time in New York, Williamson soon took over the firm completely. Williamson was regional director for the Public Works Art Administration, president of Colorado A.I.A. twice, Chief Architectural Supervisor for Colorado arm of the National Housing Act, and vice president of the Denver City and County Zoning Board.

Notable structures built by Williamson include: East High School which won him numerous awards; Smiley Junior High School; with Allied Architects he worked on the City and County Building; and additions to General William J. Palmer's Glen Eyrie country estate near Colorado Springs.

Wright, Frank Lloyd (1867-1959) was born in Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin. Wright moved to Chicago for his apprenticeship. Wright's designs stood out because his interior spaces would overlap with shared space. He developed the prairie house- a long, low, horizontal structure made of simple materials such as brick, wood and plaster. In 1914 his home, Taliesin, burned down killing his wife and several staff. After this he moved toward more solid, protective forms. Wright formed the Taliesin Fellowship in 1932, an apprentice program for young architects. With the need for low and middle income housing on the rise, Wright stepped in, designing many, more affordable houses. Wright died at Taliesin West, in Phoenix, Arizona in 1959.

Notable structures built by Wright include: the Johnson Wax Building; Fallingwater; Unity Temple; the Johnson Administration Building; and the Guggenheim Museum.