Stratton Hammon
Encyclopedia
Stratton Owen Hammon was a Louisville, Kentucky
architect known for his Colonial Revival style homes.
Hammon was a graduate of DuPont Manual High School in Louisville where he studied art and architectural drafting. He studied architecture briefly at the University of Louisville
. He learned the architecture trade working with a Louisville builder named Murphy and opened his own architecture practice during the height of the Great Depression. He is known for the more than 100 distinctive homes he designed in Kentucky and for the house plans that he published in magazines such as Good Housekeeping
, Better Homes and Gardens
and McCall's
throughout the United States. It is impossible to know how many homes were built based on these plans in various parts of the United States.
He became the 30th Kentucky registered architect in 1930 and was later president of the Kentucky Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
.
During World War II, Hammon served as Captain in the Corps of Engineers, supervising construction projects such as Columbus Air Support Base in Columbus, Indiana
. He participated in the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 and also served as one of the Monuments Men at the close of the war. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the end of the war. The French government awarded him both the Croix de Guerre
and the Legion of Honor for his efforts in France during World War II
The Speed Museum in Louisville mounted an exhibition of Hammon's work in 2007 and a book was published that same year containing photographs of many Hammon homes and a definitive record of his Kentucky commissions. Architectural historian Richard Guy Wilson
has lectured on Hammon's work at the Filson Historical Society.
He is buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
architect known for his Colonial Revival style homes.
Hammon was a graduate of DuPont Manual High School in Louisville where he studied art and architectural drafting. He studied architecture briefly at the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
. He learned the architecture trade working with a Louisville builder named Murphy and opened his own architecture practice during the height of the Great Depression. He is known for the more than 100 distinctive homes he designed in Kentucky and for the house plans that he published in magazines such as Good Housekeeping
Good Housekeeping
Good Housekeeping is a women's magazine owned by the Hearst Corporation, featuring articles about women's interests, product testing by The Good Housekeeping Institute, recipes, diet, health as well as literary articles. It is well known for the "Good Housekeeping Seal," popularly known as the...
, Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens (magazine)
Better Homes and Gardens is the fourth best selling magazine in the United States. The editor in Chief is Gayle Butler. Better Homes and Gardens focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining. The magazine is published 12 times per...
and McCall's
McCall's
McCall's was a monthly American women's magazine that enjoyed great popularity through much of the 20th century, peaking at a readership of 8.4 million in the early 1960s. It was established as a small-format magazine called The Queen in 1873...
throughout the United States. It is impossible to know how many homes were built based on these plans in various parts of the United States.
He became the 30th Kentucky registered architect in 1930 and was later president of the Kentucky 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...
.
During World War II, Hammon served as Captain in the Corps of Engineers, supervising construction projects such as Columbus Air Support Base in Columbus, Indiana
Columbus, Indiana
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 44,061 at the 2010 census, and the current mayor is Fred Armstrong. Located approximately 40 miles south of Indianapolis, on the east fork of the White River, it is the state's 20th largest...
. He participated in the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 and also served as one of the Monuments Men at the close of the war. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the end of the war. The French government awarded him both the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
and the Legion of Honor for his efforts in France during World War II
The Speed Museum in Louisville mounted an exhibition of Hammon's work in 2007 and a book was published that same year containing photographs of many Hammon homes and a definitive record of his Kentucky commissions. Architectural historian Richard Guy Wilson
Richard Guy Wilson
Dr. Richard Guy Wilson is a noted architectural historian and Commonwealth Professor in Architectural History at the University of Virginia....
has lectured on Hammon's work at the Filson Historical Society.
He is buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville.