August Geiger
Encyclopedia
August Geiger was one of the most prominent American
architect
s in South Florida from 1905 to the late 1940s. He experimented in Mission
, Neo-Renaissance
and Art Deco
architecture
, but is most noted for his works in the Mediterranean Revival style.
, the son of Margaretha (Rettenmeyer) Geiger and Louis Geiger, a manufacturer of moldings
and other fine woodwork for interior decoration. He was educated at the city's public schools, and completed his studies at Boardman's Manual Training School. Showing a talent for drawing and design, he determined to be an architect and secured a position in a New Haven firm. In 1905, Geiger moved to Miami
, where he had vacationed with his family since around 1899, and worked at a local architectural firm for 6 years. The 10th registered architect in Florida
, he opened his own firm in 1911, and in 1915 opened a second office in Palm Beach
. He worked for Carl Fisher on various construction projects in Miami Beach
, and was appointed architect for the Dade County School Board
. In 1915 he married Ruth Hinson.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s in South Florida from 1905 to the late 1940s. He experimented in Mission
Mission Revival Style architecture
The Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions in California....
, Neo-Renaissance
Neo-Renaissance
Renaissance Revival is an all-encompassing designation that covers many 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Grecian nor Gothic but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range of classicizing Italian modes...
and Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, but is most noted for his works in the Mediterranean Revival style.
Life
Geiger was born in New Haven, ConnecticutConnecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, the son of Margaretha (Rettenmeyer) Geiger and Louis Geiger, a manufacturer of moldings
Molding (decorative)
Molding or moulding is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration. It is traditionally made from solid milled wood or plaster but may be made from plastic or reformed wood...
and other fine woodwork for interior decoration. He was educated at the city's public schools, and completed his studies at Boardman's Manual Training School. Showing a talent for drawing and design, he determined to be an architect and secured a position in a New Haven firm. In 1905, Geiger moved to Miami
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, where he had vacationed with his family since around 1899, and worked at a local architectural firm for 6 years. The 10th registered architect in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, he opened his own firm in 1911, and in 1915 opened a second office in Palm Beach
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
. He worked for Carl Fisher on various construction projects in Miami Beach
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, incorporated on March 26, 1915. The municipality is located on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the latter which separates the Beach from Miami city proper...
, and was appointed architect for the Dade County School Board
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami-Dade County Public Schools is a public school district serving Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1885, it is the largest school district in Florida and the Southeastern United States, and the fourth largest in the United States, with a student enrollment of 380,006 as of July 5, 2010...
. In 1915 he married Ruth Hinson.
Some of his projects
- Villa Serena (1913) in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida
- Homestead Public School (also known as Neva Cooper School)Homestead Public School-Neva King Cooper SchoolThe Homestead Public School is a historic school in Homestead, Florida. It is located at 520 Northwest 1st Street. On December 4, 1985, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The architect was August Geiger and it was built in 1914. It was originally called the Homestead...
(1914), in Homestead, FloridaHomestead, FloridaHomestead is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States nestled between Biscayne National Park to the east and Everglades National Park to the west. Homestead is primarily a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area....
; listed in the National Register - Southside SchoolSouthside School (Miami, Florida)The Southside School is a historic school in Brickell in Downtown Miami, Florida. It is located at 45 Southwest 13th Street. On January 4, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
(1914) in Miami, Florida; listed in the National Register - Miami City HospitalJackson Memorial HospitalJackson Memorial Hospital is a non-profit, tertiary care teaching hospital and the major teaching hospital of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida...
-- “The Alamo” -- now known as Jackson Memorial Hospital (1915) in Miami, Florida; listed in the National Register - Miami Beach Municipal Golf Course House (1916), in Miami Beach, Florida
- Lincoln HotelLincoln HotelLincoln Hotel or Hotel Lincoln may refer to:in the United States* Lincoln Hotel , demolished...
(1916), in Miami Beach, Florida (demolished) - Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club (1917) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Davie SchoolDavie SchoolThe Davie School is a historic school in Davie, Florida, USA. It is located at 6650 Griffin Road. Designed by August Geiger, upon its completion in 1917 the Davie School was the first permanent school in the Everglades. It opened its doors in 1918 to 90 students, and was in continuous use as a...
(1918), in DavieDavieDavie is a form of the name David. It can also refer to:Places* Davie County, North Carolina, United States* Davie, Florida, United States* Davie Village, Vancouver, British ColumbiaPeople...
, Florida; listed in the National Register - Hindu TempleHindu templeA Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
(1920) in Miami, Florida - Fire Station #2 (1924) in Miami, Florida, listed in the National Register
- St. Francis Hospital (Miami Beach, Florida) (1924) in Miami Beach, Florida. (demolished)
- Community Theater of Miami Beach (1924) on Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida (demolished)
- Dade County Courthouse (1925) in Miami, Florida; listed in the National Register
- Carl Fisher Residence (1925) in Miami Beach, Florida
- Miami Women's ClubMiami Women's ClubThe Miami Women's Club is a historic site in Miami, Florida. It is located at 1737 North Bayshore Drive. On December 27, 1974, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References and external links:* at * ** **...
(1925) in Miami, Florida; listed in the National Register - First Church of Christ, ScientistFirst Church of Christ, Scientist (Miami, Florida)First Church of Christ, Scientist, located at 1836 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, Florida, is an historic structure that on January 3, 1989, was determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places...
(1925) in Miami, Florida - Coral Way Elementary School (1936) Miami, Florida
- Ida M. Fisher Junior High School (1936), Miami Beach, Florida
- North Beach Elementary School (1936), Miami Beach, Florida
- Chase Federal Bank (1937) Miami Beach, Florida
See also
- Southside SchoolSouthside School (Miami, Florida)The Southside School is a historic school in Brickell in Downtown Miami, Florida. It is located at 45 Southwest 13th Street. On January 4, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
- Dade County Courthouse
- First Church of Christ, ScientistFirst Church of Christ, Scientist (Miami, Florida)First Church of Christ, Scientist, located at 1836 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, Florida, is an historic structure that on January 3, 1989, was determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places...
- Coral Way Elementary School
- Spanish Colonial style
- Spanish Colonial Revival Style architectureSpanish Colonial Revival Style architectureThe Spanish Colonial Revival Style was a United States architectural stylistic movement that came about in the early 20th century, starting in California and Florida as a regional expression related to history, environment, and nostalgia...
External links
- Old Davie School Historical Museum -- SunSentinel
- Old Davie School Historical Museum
- Dade County landmarks
- Carl Fisher Residence
- Dade County Courthouse
- History of Dade County Courthouse
- Allison Hospital
- Fort Lauderdale Woman's Club
- Villa Serena -- William Jennings Bryan's winter home
- Villa Serena -- Miami Post