Soon-to-be Famous Architects Begin Work in Spokane

The upscale areas of early Spokane, especially during the “Age of Elegance”, were designed with a strong European influence.  Both of Spokane’s earliest and most prominent architects came from Germany.  Herman Preusse was born in Germany in 1847.  When he was three years old, his father died and his mother married one of Germany’s leading architects.  Under his influence, Preusse received one of the finest architectural educations in Germany.  Combined with the practical experience received in his stepfather’s office, he gained early recognition as one of Germany’s upcoming young architects.

Realizing the opportunities in America, a young and booming nation, Preusse moved to New York in 1870.  Following a number of successful career moves in the United States, he settled in Spokane Falls in 1882.  Preusse hired Julius Zittel upon Zittel’s arrival in 1887.  Zittel was only 18 years of age, but within six years, his ability led to a partnership with Preusse.    The partnership lasted for 18 years.  They designed and supervised some of Spokane’s finest buildings, including Gonzaga College, St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Carnegie Library, and the Auditorium Theatre.  [The Auditorium Theatre, located at the northwest corner of Post and Main, boasted the largest stage in the world upon completion in 1890.  The list of attendees at the opening production read like a “Who’s Who” in Spokane.]  Herman Preusse was Spokane’s first professional architect, and only one of four architects listed in the 1888 Spokane Falls directory.  By 1906 there were over 40 architects listed.  Some of the most prominent were to design houses for the newly-developing Manito area.

Kirtland K. Cutter, Spokane’s famous architect, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1860.  His father, a banker with the Merchant’s National Bank of Cleveland, provided young Cutter with a comfortable lifestyle.  However, he was greatly influenced by his great grandfather, Professor Jared Kirtland, while living at Kirtland’s country estate.  A well-connected and respected naturalist, Kirtland socialized with many of the nation’s notable people.  This period of Cutter’s life appears to have given him a high degree of sophistication and confidence.  Cutter studied painting and sculpture at the Art Students League in New York.

He then spent several years traveling and studying in Europe.  Upon his return to the United States, his uncle, Horace Cutter, a banker in Spokane Falls, convinced the younger Cutter to join him there.  It does not appear that Cutter’s training included any formal education in the field of architecture, but he had an ability to visualize beautiful designs and transfer them to paper.  He was a talented illustrator and, through his travels, had been exposed to a wide variety of architectural designs, which he amalgamated into his own unique style.  His enthusiasm, charming sophistication, and connections to wealthy and influential individuals (associations made primarily through his Uncle Horace) would become contributing factors to his eventual international fame. 

Next week we will learn of the big Spokane Fire of 1889.  Click back and we’ll learn even some more about this great town of ours as well as our beloved Manito Park itself.