Edgar M. Lazarus
Encyclopedia
Edgar Marks Lazarus was an American architect who was prominent in the Portland, Oregon
, area for more than 45 years. He was best known as the architect of the Vista House on Crown Point in the Columbia River Gorge.
of Charleston, South Carolina
, and was the son of a Confederate
soldier.
Lazarus came to Portland in 1892 with a letter of introduction
to a prominent citizen. He formed a partnership with William M. Ellicott that same year. Lazarus & Ellicott continued until 1895, after which Lazarus practiced alone until 1910. For a year he partnered with Morris H. Whitehouse
and J. André Fouilhoux
as Lazarus, Whitehouse & Fouilhoux. In 1911, he formed Lazarus & Logan with Frank Logan; the firm lasted until 1914. Lazarus then practiced alone for the rest of his career.
He was a member of the San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects
(AIA) and was elected a Fellow of the institute in 1895.
Early in his career, Lazarus designed many houses for notable Portlanders, especially among the city's Jewish community. His residential designs were predominantly shingle style
, but with Lazarus' unique design, including unusual shapes and extremely steeply pitched roofs.
In 1905, he designed the domed Palace of Agriculture for the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
in the Baroque style.
Lazarus also designed early alterations to Pioneer Courthouse
, was the resident architect for the U.S. Customhouse
, and designed the first Multnomah Athletic Club
building at SW 10th and Yamhill streets, all in Portland.
When Oregon started licensing architects in 1919, he received license #21 under a grandfather clause
.
, an observatory
that also serves as a memorial to Oregon pioneers
and as a comfort station for travelers on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The building shows great sensitivity to its site at Crown Point
in the Columbia River Gorge
near Corbett
, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP).
After completing the Vista House, Lazarus was engaged in a long, bitter dispute with the Oregon State Board of Control regarding his fees for both Vista House and his work at the Oregon State Hospital. The controversy brought him unfavorable attention in the press, and this may have harmed his career, as he did little important work after the incident.
In 2011, Edward H. Teague, head of the Architecture and Allied Arts Library
at the University of Oregon
, and curator of the digital collection Building Oregon: Architecture of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, presented his discovery of several works not previously attributed to Lazarus, including some that are still standing in Portland.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, area for more than 45 years. He was best known as the architect of the Vista House on Crown Point in the Columbia River Gorge.
Early life and education
Edgar Lazarus was born on June 6, 1868, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a descendant of the Colonial JewsJewish history in Colonial America
-Joachim Gans:The first recorded Jew in the Americas was Joachim Gans, an English metallurgist. In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh recruited him for his expedition to the Virginia territory in hopes of founding a permanent settlement and satisfying Queen Elizabeth I's desire for copper, silver, and gold,...
of Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, and was the son of a Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
soldier.
Career
Letter of introduction
The letter of introduction, along with the visiting card, was an important part of polite social interaction in the 18th and 19th centuries. It remains important in formal situations, such as an ambassador presenting his credentials, and in certain business circles.In general, a person would not...
to a prominent citizen. He formed a partnership with William M. Ellicott that same year. Lazarus & Ellicott continued until 1895, after which Lazarus practiced alone until 1910. For a year he partnered with Morris H. Whitehouse
Morris H. Whitehouse
Morris Homans Whitehouse was an American architect whose work included the design of the Gus Solomon United States Courthouse in Portland.Whitehouse was born in Oregon and graduated from MIT in 1906.He partnered with J...
and J. André Fouilhoux
J. André Fouilhoux
Jacques André Fouilhoux was an engineer and architect from Paris, France who partnered with architects in Salem, Oregon and New York City. He was in the United States ca. 1904....
as Lazarus, Whitehouse & Fouilhoux. In 1911, he formed Lazarus & Logan with Frank Logan; the firm lasted until 1914. Lazarus then practiced alone for the rest of his career.
He was a member of the San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
(AIA) and was elected a Fellow of the institute in 1895.
Early in his career, Lazarus designed many houses for notable Portlanders, especially among the city's Jewish community. His residential designs were predominantly shingle style
Shingle Style architecture
The Shingle style is an American architectural style made popular by the rise of the New England school of architecture, which eschewed the highly ornamented patterns of the Eastlake style in Queen Anne architecture....
, but with Lazarus' unique design, including unusual shapes and extremely steeply pitched roofs.
In 1905, he designed the domed Palace of Agriculture for the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, commonly also known as the Lewis and Clark Exposition, and officially known as the Lewis and Clark Centennial American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair, was a worldwide exposition held in Portland, Oregon, United States in 1905 to celebrate the...
in the Baroque style.
Lazarus also designed early alterations to Pioneer Courthouse
Pioneer Courthouse
The Pioneer Courthouse is a federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon, United States. Built beginning in 1869, the structure is the oldest federal building in the Pacific Northwest, and the second oldest west of the Mississippi River. Along with Pioneer Courthouse Square, it serves as the center of...
, was the resident architect for the U.S. Customhouse
United States Customhouse (Portland, Oregon)
The U.S. Customhouse is a historic custom house located at Portland in Multnomah County, Oregon. It was built to house offices of the United States Customs Service.-Building history:...
, and designed the first Multnomah Athletic Club
Multnomah Athletic Club
The Multnomah Athletic Club is a private social club and athletic club in Portland, Oregon, United States.Founded in 1891, the club has expanded greatly from its beginnings. It now fills two buildings totaling , making it the largest indoor athletic club in the world...
building at SW 10th and Yamhill streets, all in Portland.
When Oregon started licensing architects in 1919, he received license #21 under a grandfather clause
Grandfather clause
Grandfather clause is a legal term used to describe a situation in which an old rule continues to apply to some existing situations, while a new rule will apply to all future situations. It is often used as a verb: to grandfather means to grant such an exemption...
.
Vista House
His most important work, completed in 1918, was the Vista HouseVista House
Vista House is an observatory at Crown Point in Multnomah County, Oregon that also serves as a memorial to Oregon pioneers and as a comfort station for travelers on the Historic Columbia River Highway...
, an observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
that also serves as a memorial to Oregon pioneers
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail is a historic east-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon and locations in between.After 1840 steam-powered riverboats and steamboats traversing up and down the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers sped settlement and development in the flat...
and as a comfort station for travelers on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The building shows great sensitivity to its site at Crown Point
Crown Point (Oregon)
Crown Point is the name of a promontory on the Columbia River Gorge and an associated state park in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located in eastern Multnomah County, approximately 15 miles east of Portland. Crown Point is one of the scenic lookouts along the Historic Columbia River Highway,...
in the Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to deep, the canyon stretches for over as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range forming the boundary between the State of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south...
near Corbett
Corbett, Oregon
Corbett is an unincorporated community on the Columbia River in eastern Multnomah County, Oregon, United States. It is located on the Historic Columbia River Highway between the Sandy River and Crown Point....
, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(NRHP).
After completing the Vista House, Lazarus was engaged in a long, bitter dispute with the Oregon State Board of Control regarding his fees for both Vista House and his work at the Oregon State Hospital. The controversy brought him unfavorable attention in the press, and this may have harmed his career, as he did little important work after the incident.
Works
- Frederick V. Holman House, Portland, 1892
- George F. Heusner HouseGeorge F. Heusner HouseThe George F. Heusner House is a house located in northwest Portland, Oregon listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-Further reading:...
, Portland, 1894 (NRHP) - Apperson Hall, Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State UniversityOregon State UniversityOregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
), Corvallis, 1898–1899 (NRHP contributing) - Mitchell Playhouse (now the Gladys Valley Gymnastics Center), Oregon Agricultural College, Corvallis, 1898 (NRHP contributing)
- Morrow County Courthouse, Heppner, 1903 (NRHP)
- Ahavai Sholom SynagogueNeveh Shalom Synagogue (Portland, Oregon)Neveh Shalom is a synagogue affiliated with Conservative Judaism, located in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1961, and currently has a congregation of over 1000 households....
, Portland, 1904 (demolished 1978) - Clatsop County Courthouse, Astoria, 1904–1907 (NRHP)
- John S. Bradley House, Portland, 1906 (NRHP)
- Taft HotelFranklin Hotel (Portland, Oregon)The Franklin Hotel is a historic, former hotel located in Portland, Oregon, United States, built in 1906. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
, Portland, 1906 (NRHP) - George L. Campbell House, Portland, 1910 (Lazarus, Whitehouse & Fouilhoux)
- J. C. Campbell Flats, Portland, 1910 (Lazarus, Whitehouse & Fouilhoux)
- Wickersham Apartments, Portland, 1910 (NRHP) (Lazarus, Whitehouse & Fouilhoux)
- Edward A. King House, Portland, 1910
- Oregon State HospitalOregon State HospitalOregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, United States, is the primary state-run psychiatric hospital in the state of Oregon since Dammasch State Hospital closed in 1995. The facility is best known as the filming location for the Academy Award-winning film based on Ken Kesey's novel One Flew Over...
Receiving Ward (the "Dome Building"), 1909 (NRHP contributing), and south wing of the "J Building", 1912 (demolished 2009), Salem
Later life, death and legacy
Lazarus was an avid horseman, artist, real estate entrepreneur, and ardent advocate for the architectural profession. In 1931, Lazarus' wife Fanny inherited a large fortune from a New York uncle. Lazarus died on October 2, 1939, in Portland, survived by his wife.In 2011, Edward H. Teague, head of the Architecture and Allied Arts Library
University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts
The University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts is a public school of architecture and visual arts in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the only school in Oregon to offer architecture degrees accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. The school, founded in 1914 by...
at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, and curator of the digital collection Building Oregon: Architecture of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, presented his discovery of several works not previously attributed to Lazarus, including some that are still standing in Portland.
External links
- Edgar M. Lazarus, Architect: Life and Legacy by Edward H. Teague, Architecture & Allied Arts Library, University of Oregon
- Historic images of Edgar Lazarus works from the University of Oregon digital archives