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Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson was an early twentieth-century American architectural firm from
/ref>AIA directory volume HAIA directory volumen W''Parkview: A St. Louis Urban Oasis. By Jean Eberle, Judith Little Mary Henderson Gass.''
/ref> The firm operated until 1940. The firm had been preceded by the architectural firm of Hirsch and Helfensteller which operated from 1903 to 1907. With the addition of principal architect Jesse N. Watson to the firm it became ''Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson''.
The Moolah Temple of St. Louis, designed in 1912 by Helfensteller of Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson, has been described as an "architectural gem". Helfensteller gave the building "a Moorish feel with a brick facade, winding staircases, vaulted ceilings and ornate, boldly colored tile. The whole thing costed $250,000."
The building was vacant for 20 years. The Medinah Temple portion of the building was renovated by 2008 at a cost of $7 million USD. The Moolah Temple is a contributing building in St. Louis's Midtown Historic District, and was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The district's NRHP nomination describes the building's architecture as "colorful": "Near Eastern/Arabic forms and symbols parade and dance across the front elevation. The center bay makes the statement for the structure.... Gold terra cotta outlines the foundation and covers arches, cornice, moldings and columns; door and window frames are painted bright blue; decorative terra cotta in blue, green and gold emphasize round arch forms and articulate corners and peaks."
Photos of two of the firms' works, the Moolah Temple and the New Grand Central Theatre, were selected for inclusion in a June 1916 issue of the ''Western Architect'' which covered architecture of St. Louis.
Principal works of Hirsch reported in a 1962 American Institute of Architects (AIA) directory include the Liederkranz Club, the
University City, Missouri. 2009. *''Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson.''
Cinema Treasures. 2011.
*
Parkview: A St. Louis Urban Oasis 1905-2005
'
Missouri's contribution to American architecture
{{DEFAULTSORT:Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson Architecture firms based in Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the Greater St. Louis, ...
. It succeeded Hirsch and Helfensteller which had been founded in 1903. The firm's partners included Ernest Helfensteller, William Albert Hirsch and Jesse N. Watson. The firm quickly gained prominence with its 1912 design of the Moolah Temple
The Moolah Temple, formally the Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, is a historic building located at 3821 Lindell, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was built in 1912 for use as a meeting place, and is "a brick and tile building in the Moorish style.
...
in St. Louis.
History
Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson was founded in 1907 by Ernest Helfensteller, William Albert Hirsch and Jesse N. Watson.''CheckMate Designs: completed projects: moolah place.''/ref>AIA directory volume HAIA directory volumen W''Parkview: A St. Louis Urban Oasis. By Jean Eberle, Judith Little Mary Henderson Gass.''
/ref> The firm operated until 1940. The firm had been preceded by the architectural firm of Hirsch and Helfensteller which operated from 1903 to 1907. With the addition of principal architect Jesse N. Watson to the firm it became ''Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson''.
The Moolah Temple
The Moolah Temple of St. Louis, designed in 1912 by Helfensteller of Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson, has been described as an "architectural gem". Helfensteller gave the building "a Moorish feel with a brick facade, winding staircases, vaulted ceilings and ornate, boldly colored tile. The whole thing costed $250,000."
The building was vacant for 20 years. The Medinah Temple portion of the building was renovated by 2008 at a cost of $7 million USD. The Moolah Temple is a contributing building in St. Louis's Midtown Historic District, and was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The district's NRHP nomination describes the building's architecture as "colorful": "Near Eastern/Arabic forms and symbols parade and dance across the front elevation. The center bay makes the statement for the structure.... Gold terra cotta outlines the foundation and covers arches, cornice, moldings and columns; door and window frames are painted bright blue; decorative terra cotta in blue, green and gold emphasize round arch forms and articulate corners and peaks."
Peer reviews
Photos of two of the firms' works, the Moolah Temple and the New Grand Central Theatre, were selected for inclusion in a June 1916 issue of the ''Western Architect'' which covered architecture of St. Louis.
Principal works of Hirsch reported in a 1962 American Institute of Architects (AIA) directory include the Liederkranz Club, the Moolah Temple
The Moolah Temple, formally the Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, is a historic building located at 3821 Lindell, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was built in 1912 for use as a meeting place, and is "a brick and tile building in the Moorish style.
...
, the Missouri Theatre Office Building, the Louis Latzer Memorial Library and others, all in or near St. Louis. Hirsch served as president of the St. Louis chapter of the AIA during 1923-24.
Other works
The architectural firm designed for a variety of clients. For clientEdward Gardner Lewis
Edward Gardner Lewis (March 4, 1869 – August 10, 1950) was an American magazine publisher, land development promoter, and political activist. He was the founder of two planned communities that are now cities: University City, Missouri, and Ata ...
, publisher of ''Woman's Magazine'', once the largest circulation magazine in the nation, the firm designed standard plans for women's club buildings. A number of their works, including 12 women's club buildings, are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Notable works by the firm or its partners include (attribution):
*Alton Chapter House
The Alton Chapter House is a historic building located at 509 Beacon St. in Alton, Illinois, Alton, Illinois. The building was constructed between 1909 and 1910 as a meetinghouse for Alton's chapter of the American Woman's League. The American Woma ...
(built 1909), 509 Beacon St. Alton, IL (Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson), NRHP-listed
*American Women's League Chapter House (Peck, Idaho)
The American Women's League Chapter House in Peck, Idaho was built in 1909. It was designed with Prairie School architecture, Prairie School style elements by St. Louis architects Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson. It was deemed historically signif ...
, 217 N. Main St. Peck, ID (Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson), NRHP-listed
*Andover Chapter House
The Andover Chapter House is a historic building located on Locust Street northwest of 5th Avenue in Andover, Illinois, Andover, Illinois. The building was constructed between 1909 and 1910 as a meetinghouse for Andover's chapter of the American Wo ...
, Locust St., NW Andover, IL (Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson), NRHP-listed
*Annawan Chapter House
The Annawan Chapter House is a historic building located at 206 S. Depot St. in Annawan, Illinois. The building was constructed between 1909 and 1910 as a meetinghouse for Annawan's chapter of the American Woman's League. The American Woman's Lea ...
, 206 S. Depot St. Annawan, IL (Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson), NRHP-listed
*Carlinville Chapter House
The Carlinville Chapter House is a historic building located at 111 S. Charles St. in Carlinville, Illinois. The building was constructed between 1909 and 1910 as a meetinghouse for Carlinville's chapter of the American Woman's League. The American ...
, 111 S. Charles St. Carlinville, IL (Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson), NRHP-listed
*Carmi Chapter House
The Carmi Chapter House is a historic building located at 604 W. Main St. in Carmi, Illinois. The building was constructed between 1909 and 1910 as a meetinghouse for Carmi's chapter of the American Woman's League. The American Woman's League was ...
, 604 W. Main St., Carmi, IL, NRHP-listed
*City Hall, 6618 Delmar Boulevard, University City, Missouri''University City Public Library.''University City, Missouri. 2009. *
Deer Lodge American Women's League Chapter House
The American Women's League Chapter House was built in 1910 by a local contractor, from plans with Prairie School and Bungalow/Craftsman influences designed by St. Louis architects Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson. It was listed on the National Re ...
, 802 Missouri Ave. Deer Lodge, MT
Deer Lodge is a city in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,938 at the 2020 census.
Description
The city is perhaps best known as the home of the Montana State Prison, a major local employer. ...
(Helfensteller, Hirch & Watson), NRHP-listed
*Edwardsville Chapter House
The Edwardsville Chapter House is a historic building located at 515 W. High St. in Edwardsville, Illinois. The building was constructed between 1909 and 1910 as a meetinghouse for Edwardsville's chapter of the American Woman's League. The America ...
, 515 W. High St. Edwardsville, IL (Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson), NRHP-listed
* Liederkranz Club, St. Louis, MO
* Louis Latzer Memorial Library, Highland, IL
Highland is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,991 at the 2020 census. Highland began as a Swiss settlement and derived its name from later German immigrants.
Highland is a sister city of Sursee in Switzerlan ...
* Marine Chapter House, Silver St. Marine, IL (Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson), NRHP-listed
*Maywood Woman's Club
The Maywood Woman's Club, also known as the American Woman's League Building, located in Corning, Tehama County, California.
The 1909 clubhouse was designed in Bungalow style by St. Louis architects Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson as a "chapter ...
, 902 Marin St. Corning, CA (Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson), NRHP-listed
* Missouri Theatre Office Building, St. Louis
*Moolah Temple
The Moolah Temple, formally the Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, is a historic building located at 3821 Lindell, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was built in 1912 for use as a meeting place, and is "a brick and tile building in the Moorish style.
...
, St. Louis, Missouri (Ernest Helfensteller; Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson)
* New Grand Central Theatre, St. Louis, MissouriCinema Treasures. 2011.
Princeton Chapter House
The Princeton Chapter House is a historic building located at 1009 N. Main St. in Princeton, Illinois. The building was constructed between 1909 and 1910 as a meetinghouse for Princeton's chapter of the American Woman's League. The American Woman' ...
, 1007 N. Main St. Princeton, IL
Princeton is a city in and the county seat of Bureau County, Illinois, Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,832 at the 2020 census.
Princeton is part of the Ottawa, Illinois, Ottawa Ottawa, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area ...
(Helfensteller, Hirsh & Watson), NRHP-listed
* Woman's Club House, 900 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, KS
Manhattan is a city and county seat of Riley County, Kansas, United States, although the city extends into Pottawatomie County. It is located in northeastern Kansas at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. As of the 2020 cen ...
(Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson), NRHP-listed
*Zion Chapter House
The Zion Chapter House is a historic building located at 2715 Emmaus Avenue in Zion, Illinois. The building was constructed between 1909 and 1910 as a meetinghouse for Zion's chapter of the American Woman's League. The American Woman's League was a ...
, 2715 Emmaus Ave. Zion, IL
Zion is a city in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 24,655.
History
The city was founded in July 1901 by John Alexander Dowie (1847-1907), a Scots-Australian evangelical minister and faith healer who ...
(Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson), NRHP-listed
Firm's characterization
Helfensteller has been informally characterized as being "no big shot like thatTadao Ando
is a Japanese autodidact architect whose approach to architecture and landscape was categorized by architectural historian Francesco Dal Co as "critical regionalism". He is the winner of the 1995 Pritzker Prize.
Early life
Ando was born a few m ...
fella who built ... the Pulitzer Foundation, [neighboring building to the Moolah Temple
The Moolah Temple, formally the Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, is a historic building located at 3821 Lindell, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was built in 1912 for use as a meeting place, and is "a brick and tile building in the Moorish style.
...
designed by Helfensteller]. Still, he had style."
References
External links
*Parkview: A St. Louis Urban Oasis 1905-2005
'
Missouri's contribution to American architecture
{{DEFAULTSORT:Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson Architecture firms based in Missouri