Louis Curtiss, who left his mark on Kansas City and other locations in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, was one of those incredibly rare architects who was just weird enough to do really, really, interesting work. While often compared to Frank Lloyd Wright, he was much less disciplined than Wright in that his designs were highly eclectic; Curtiss was not afraid to throw multiple influences together. Like Wright, many of his early buildings were fairly conventional-looking. But then he loosened up and was designing some very innovative buildings prior to his death at the age of only 59. Described in seemingly contradictory terms as both “private” and “flamboyant”, Curtiss remains something of a mystery today. The 1991 biography by Wilda Sandy and Larry K. Hancks entitled Stalking Louis Curtiss paints is the most ambitious effort at telling his story to date… it is well worth reading. Born in Canada in 1865, Curtiss emigrated to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1887 where he worked until his death in 1924. The various stylistic influences he frequently mixed together were always tied together in a pleasing manner that still captivates today. Of the more than 200 projects attributed to him, only a fraction survive. Let’s take a look at some of them! All images are courtesy of Google Street View.
Started in 1908 and completed in 1909, this commercial structure by Curtiss also contained his studio on the second floor and his home (sometimes described as “bohemian”) on the third. He died here, at his drafting table, in 1924. The terra cotta cornice includes a cartouche which is monogrammed “LC”. Curtiss made use of the curtain wall in many of his commercial structures. The current color scheme is not original. 1118-20 McGee, KCMO.
Rule residence, 1903-04. Many stylistic influences are found here; the quirky Art Nouveau entry is a favorite subject for photographers. 4340 Oak, KCMO.
Miller residence, 1920-21. The interior of this house was as eclectic as the exterior; it survived largely intact until at least the 1990’s. Though the kitchen and baths have been altered, there is still much originality inside as can be seen on a former Zillow listing. The living room ceiling is amazing! 2204 Washington Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas.
Neglected and vandalized shell of the former Joplin Union Terminal Company station, 1910-11. Noted for its inclusion of mining waste in the concrete mix. Here’s a short YouTube video for a more poignant views. Joplin, Missouri.
Tromanhauser residence, 1914-15. A small, but grand, bungalow. 3603 West Roanoke Drive, KCMO.
Corrigan residence, 1912-13. Unquestionably Curtiss’ most opulent residential design,the house was built for fellow Canadian Bernard Corrigan who died prior to its completion. The use of stained glass is especially interesting. Although the interior of the house has received some alterations in recent years, its equally mind-boggling exterior is still intact. The entry hall and staircase are especially noteworthy. Numerous photos may be seen in the listing on Zillow. 1200 West 55th, KCMO.
The Boley Clothing Company building, 1908-09. Here the terra cotta facade is undergoing restoration! 1124-30 Walnut, KCMO.
Wow! I had never heard of him. Those are some wonderful/crazy designs. The last house, with the Zillow views – it really hurt my head to see the foliate swags done in leaded glass. Not sure why, but I really couldn’t wrap my head around it.
The windows in the Corrigan house are indeed out of the ordinary! Curtiss was so “out there” that most people can’t wrap their heads around his work… one of the many reasons he remains so unjustly obscure today (another reason is the fact that he, like similarly obscure Bruce Goff, lived and worked in “flyover country”). I’m glad you like his work… there is more of it out there so I may have to do additional posts on him in the future.
Please do! There was something about the architectural swags surrounding the windows – actually being windows (I guess not being plaster. . .the window surround was window itself!). It really struck me! Very interesting work.
wow – between this and Bruce Goff, you should have more followers than OHD and Ross put together. I never heard of him either but what an outstanding body of work. Classic mansions with quirks and more quirks. That wire chair at the Miller house is way more than eclectic. and what’s the thing in the rotary in front of the Miller house. If you ever saw my posts on OHD, you know I detest the cookie cutter Whore Depot kitchens people put in Victorians in the name of “restoration” They may have altered the Miller kitchen but they did a very tasty job and that breakfast nook – the best ever. And the Corrigan house – classic classy mansion in- quirk city out but in a good way. what a place. thank you so much for this enlightenment
well now you did it. of course I had to look him up on Wiki and that led to a link to the Harvey company as Curtiss designed many of the RR stations that Harvey serviced and that led to Harvey’s usual architect Mary Colter who designed most of the buildings at the Grand Canyon and so, two hours later (an enjoyable two hours), i not only met one but two architects i never heard of but thoroughly admire. don’t stop here.
Always happy to showcase yesteryear’s overlooked talent! I have a light fixture that came out of Harvey’s Curtiss-designed Santa Fe Depot and Sequoya Hotel… like the decrepit depot in Joplin, I just don’t understand how these incredible buildings became so unloved. I’m glad to have helped to distract you for a few hours!
UPDATE 9/5/18 – After having read False Architect: The Mary Colter Hoax by Fred Shaw I now know that Colter was an interior decorator – and never designed any buildings at all. She was talented at what she did, but she never designed the landmarks she is wrongly credited with. The facts are well-documented and truly stranger than fiction!
oh no , you don’t get off the hook that easy. you mention a Curtiss light fixture and then no picture. what kind of monster are you? In the words of the famous philosopher Charles Brown
AAUUUGGGHHH!!!!!
but also, I think the most out there Curtiss building I found was that Gage County courthouse – that thing, in addition to being HUGE, is an out there monumental work. One wonders if he didn’t just make it that size to see if he could get away with it. and he sure did, in spades. I could look at that all day and not see it all.
Never heard of Curtiss before! Those houses are magnificent. Thanks for posting.
You’re welcome! I think I will have to post more about Curtiss soon… his work is highly addictive.
bloggers – always nagging
a reminder – Curtiss light fixture ????
Hold your horses! I’m lookin’ for it! I packed the thing up when I moved and I don’t know which box it’s in. As soon as I find it I will post about it. But I don’t think Curtiss actually designed the fixture – I think it is one made by someone else which he merely specified. I don’t know for sure, but that would be my guess. In any event, I have some research to do. I’ll get to it soon… Mwahahahaha!!!