SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
& Hilton M. Briggs Library Special Collections

 
 


F.C.W. Kuehn collection
 

Administrative Information | Search Terms | Background Note | Scope and Contents Note | Arrangement | PDF of Finding Aid
 

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Title:     F.C.W. Kuehn collection

Dates:     1883-1970 (bulk 1906-1908, 1919-1949)

Creator:     F.C.W. (Frank Charles William) Kuehn

Physical Description:     1.05 linear feet—3 containers, 2 photographs, 154 oversize items

Collection number:     MA 4

Language:     Collection material in English.

Repository:     South Dakota State University Archives, Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.

Abstract:     Collection is composed of architectural drawings by F.W.C. Kuehn created for various projects. Included are rural school plans and county highway maps designed by Kuehn as well as bids and plans for projects.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Provenance:     This collection was received as a gift on June 21, 1984.  Jeannette E. Kinyon, Lois K. Johnson, and Margaret K. Voels, daughters and heirs of Frank Charles William Kuehn, Huron architect and map maker, known as F.C.W. Kuehn, made the gift.

In 2002, Jeannette E. Kinyon bequest in the will the diploma from the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton Pennsylvania of her father, Frank Charles William Kuehn to the archives with the intention and wish that this gift reside would reside with the original donation made in 1984.

Access Restrictions:     This collection is open to research without restriction but may not be used for commercial purposes. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright Status:     Copyright 2008 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this finding aid.

It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request. Please note that most collections, especially those received before 1997, may not have complete information on file. (Revised 15 SEP 2003)

Preferred Citation:     [Identification of item]. F.C.W. Kuehn collection, MA 4, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D.

Processing Information:    This collection was processed by Crystal J. Gamradt, 9 March 1998 with revisions on June 24, 2008 (cjg).

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the subject guide. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

Names:

  • Kinyon, Frank I.

  • Kuehn, F.C.W. (Frank Charles William), 1884-1970.

Subjects:

  • Architects—South Dakota—Huron.

  • Road maps—South Dakota

  • Rural schools—South Dakota—Designs and plans.

BACKGROUND NOTE

Frank Charles William Kuehn was born on September 4, 1884 in LeMars, Iowa.  His family moved to Dakota Territory when he was 7 months old.  They settled on a claim in Jackson Township, Sanborn County, Dakota Territory on March 1, 1885.  The family lived in a sod shanty amid an extended family of Kuehn’s grandfather and the brothers and sisters of Elizabeth and Frank Theodore Kuehn, Kuehn's parents.  On March 1, 1903, the family moved northwest 18 miles to Huron, South Dakota, which continued to be Kuehn’s home for the next 67 years.  Kuehn married Amelia Johanna Wagner on June 3, 1914.  They had three daughters; Jeannette, Lois and Margaret.  In October 1950, Amelia died of a heart attack.  Kuehn remarried on August 15, 1954 to Florence Dokken Hanson.

Before the age of 21, Kuehn knew he wanted to be an architect.  He registered for classes with the International Correspondence Schools in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  In 1907, he began working in the office of Huron architect, George Issenhuth.  He continued to work for Mr. Issenhuth throughout all of 1908 and 1909 while he continued his studies with the correspondence school.

On September 9, 1909, Kuehn opened his own office in Huron, SD.  He established himself as an architect of schools with a plan submitted for a two-story brick school for Frankfort, SD.  With this school, a good example of Prairie-School Style of architecture, Kuehn began a long association with the State Department of Public Instruction, which lasted for 41 years.

In 1918, Kuehn began writing insurance to supplement his income, possibly a result of World War I, which caused a decline of building in SD.  He would continue to write insurance in addition to being an architect to the end of his life.  In the early 1920s, Kuehn planned a number of homes and several impressive buildings for downtown Huron.  He also began drawing county maps for SD, ND, and MN.  In the 1930s, he began producing blueprints and created the Huron Blue Print Co.  This helped provide for his family during the Depression.  He also worked for Home Owners Loan Corp., inspecting homes for financing and writing reports.  In the 1940s, Kuehn began to be recognized outside of SD for his Standard Rural School Plans.

During the 1950s, Kuehn worked almost exclusively on his growing county map business.  In the 1960s, he expanded to include highway maps for Minnesota counties.  He also combined SD, ND, and MN. County maps into books, which sold well.

Kuehn died following an illness in 1970.  He had designed and built many projects too numerous to mention.  For more information see F.C.W. Kuehn Prairie Architect which was written by his daughters in 1984.  This details his life as an architect and notes many of the projects he worked on throughout his career.

SCOPE and CONTENTS NOTE

Collection is composed of architectural drawings by F.W.C. Kuehn created for various projects. Included are rural school plans and county highway maps designed by Kuehn as well as bids and plans for projects.

ARRANGEMENT of the RECORDS 

This collection is arranged into three series:

SERIES I:     Architectural drawings, 1906-1954

This series is composed mainly of blueprints, and 109 drawings both on linen paper (63) and drawing paper (46).

The architectural drawings include work from both Kuehn’s years enrolled in the International Correspondence Schools and his career as an architect.  The largest groups represented here are from the 12th Supervisory District Alcohol Plant, which include 16 blueprints and 47 linen drawings, Kuehn’s course work drawings submitted to the correspondence school, and his plans for rural schools.

Material is arranged by type of material.

Box 1.

  1. Blueprints, 1907-1954

  2. Drawings (linen), 1907-1908

  3. Drawings (paper), 1906-1938

  4. Drawings (parchment), [n.d.]

SERIES II:     General, 1883-1970

This series is composed of miscellaneous items retained by Kuehn.  Included is a composite poster commemorating Kuehn’s 60th anniversary in business, a binder of Kuehn’s County Highway Maps, photographs, and a green visor which Kuehn wore while drawing plans and maps.  Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

Box 1.

  1. Christmas Card, [n.d.]

  2. Composite Poster : Sixty-Years-In-Business Celebration, 1964 August

  3. Diploma: International Correspondence Schools, 1909 August 16

  4. Green Visor, [n.d.]

  5. Kuehn's County Highway Maps [Blue Binder ; 70 Pg..], 1955-1970

  6. Kuehn's Standard Approved Elementary School Plans, [n.d.]

  7. Letter of Criticism Accompanying Grecian Doric, 1908 January 9

  8. Microfilm : Map of Yankton, S.D., [n.d.]

  9. Photographs : F.C.W. Kuehn, circa 1956

  10. Print : Pen Drawing of Huron, 1883

  11. Redwing Sewer Pipe Corp. Pamphlet, [n.d.]

SERIES III:     Random specifications, 1917-1952

This series is composed of specifications for projects Kuehn worked on.  These offer some insight into projects Kuehn worked on, as well as information about what such works entails.  Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

Box 1.

  1. Addition : Huron Corps : Huron S.D. : Plan No. 2/3/48-1, 1948 February 3

  2. Brick Addition : Huron Light and Power Company : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. E 3-26-3, 1924 March 26

  3. Brick and Tile Auditorium-Gymnasium : Board of Trustees : Lebanon, S.D. : Plan No. Q 12-12-5 : Docket 1036-D, 1936 October 23

  4. Brick and Tile Building : Northwestern Public Service Company : Highmore, S.D. : Plan No. 3-24-48-3, 1948 March 24

  5. Brick School Building : Raymond Independent School : Raymond, S.D. : Plan No. Q 11-30-10 : Docket 1178-D, 1936 November 30

  6. Field House : Municipal Field House : Wessington Springs, S.D. : Plan No. P 7-27-2, 1935 July 27

  7. Fireproof Store Building : Habicht and Habicht : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. K 5-4-4, 1930 May 4

  8. Frame Addition : Logan Consolidated School : Raymond, S.D. : Plan No. V 3-14-4, 1941 March 14

  9. Frame Band Shell with Basement : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. 8 U-28-2, 1940 August 28

  10. Frame Church Building : Methodist Church : Woonsocket, S.D. : Plan No. V 6-3-3, 1941 June 3

  11. Frame Dwelling : L. C. Fullerton : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. 20-28-4, 1940 February 28

  12. Frame Service Station : H. J. Kurth : Rapid City, S.D. : Plan No. V 6-4-2, 1941 June 4

  13. Frame Stucco Dwelling : George Costain : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. 4445, 1921 April 21

  14. Heat Tunnel and Jail Addition : Kingsbury County Courthouse : De Smet, S.D. : Plan No. V 8-16-4, 1941 August. 16

  15. Heating, Plumbing and Wiring : Community Church : Geddes, S.D. : Plan No. E 8-4-3, 1924 Augusu 4

  16. Heating, Plumbing, Gas Piping and Wiring : F. D. Kinyon : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. H 4-4-3, 1927 April 4

  17. Labor and Material Required : Power Plant Addition State College : Brookings, S.D. : Plan No. L-11-10-4, 1931 November 10

  18. Light Fixtures, Furniture and Equipment : Raymond Independent School : Raymond, S.D. : Plan No. Q 11-30-10 : Docket 1178-D, 1937 April 15

  19. Mechanical Equipment : Independent District : Wolsey, S.D. : Plan No. V 5-5-1, 1941 May 5

Box 2.

  1. One Room Frame School Building : American School District No. 22 : Bijou Hills, S.D. : Plan No. R 2-3, 1937 September 11

  2. One Room Frame School Building : Media Township School District No. 8 : Wessington Springs, S.D. : Plan No. 10/28/48/2, 1948 October 28

  3. One Room Frame School Building with Basement : American School District No. 22 : Bijou Hills, S.D. : Plan No. R 1-3, 1937 September 10

  4. One Room Frame School Building with Basement : Beulah Common School District : Hanson County, S.D. : Plan No. R 1-3, 1944 August 14

  5. One Room Frame School Building with Basement : Board of Education : Marvin, S.D. : Plan No. R 1-3, 1944 July 26

  6. One Room Frame School Building with Basement : Crow Township School District No. 6 : Wessington Springs, S.D. : Plan No. S 2-7-3, 1940 July 5

  7. One Room Frame School Building with Basement : District No. 3 Roberts County : Milbank, S.D. : Plan No. 5-1-52-3, 1952 May 1

  8. One Room Frame School Building with Basement : District No. 33 : Henry, S.D. : Plan No. S 2-7-3, 1944 May 27

  9. One Story and Basement Brick Building : Huron Dairy Products Company : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. G 2-24-4, 1926 February 24

  10. One Story and Basement Frame School Building : Kuehn's Standard Approved Elementary School Plan : Design No. 2-A, 1939 November 20

  11. One Story and Basement Frame School Building : South Dakota Standard Rural School : Design No. 21-A, [n.d.]

  12. One Story and Basement Frame School Building : Whitewood Township School : Lake Preston, S.D. : Design No. 2A, 1939 September 15

  13. One Story and Basement Hollow Tile Church : first Methodist Episcopal Church : Doland, S.D. : Plan No. C-6-7, 1922 May 29

  14. One Story and Basement Tile Building : Wilmot City Auditorium : Wilmot, S.D. : Plan No. P 6-5-3, 1935 June 5

  15. One Story Brick Addition : The Independent Order of Odd Fellows : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. 438-6, 1920 September 20

  16. One Story Brick Creamery : Huron Dairy Products : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. F 7-9-4, 1925 July 9

  17. One Story Brick Laundry : Immaculate Conception Church : Stephan, Hyde County, S.D. : Plan No. F 5-21-2, 1925 May 21

  18. One Story Brick Store Building : Lampe Market Company : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. G 3-9-5, 1926 March 9

  19. One Story Concrete and Brick Shop : Volga School District : Volga, S.D. : Plan No. 4 V-30-1, 1940 April 30

  20. One Story Law Building : Warren and Eggen : De Smet, S.D. : Plan No. K 9-27-2, 1930 September 27

  21. Plumbing, Heating, and Electric Work : Huron Independent School District : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. P 11-15-4, 1935 November 15

  22. Plumbing, Heating, and Wiring : L. C. Fullerton : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. 30-15-1, 1940 March 15

  23. Remodeling a Frame School Building with Basement : Plummer School District No. 1 : Kimball, Brule County, S.D. : Plan No. 6-3-52-2, 1952 June 3

  24. Remodeling a Two Story School Building into a four Story and Basement Hospital : St. Teresa Hospital : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. V 6-30-11, 1942

  25. Remodeling North Part of Grade School Basement : Onida Independent School District : Onida, S.D. : Plan No. 1-2-45-1, 1945 January 2

  26. Repairing the Sauer Block Fire Loss : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. X 1-25-1, 1943 January 25

  27. Repairs of the Roof and Fire Wall of the Grade School Building : Onida Independent School District : Onida, S.D. : Plan No. 7-20-46-1, 1946 July 20

  28. Report on Pugsley's Apartments : Huron, S.D., 1939 June 21

  29. Re-roofing Masonic Temple : Huron, S.D., 1947 May 8

  30. Schedule of Labor Classifications and Wage Scales : Huron School : Huron, S.D. : Docket 1130, 1933 September-1935 May

  31. School Building : Stockholm, S.D. : Plan No. S 11-26-2 : Docket 1262-F\, 1938 November 26

  32. School Improvements : Ramona, S.D. : Plan No. S 11-25-1 : Docket 1277-F, [n.d.]

  33. Shop Addition : Hoven Independent School District : Hoven, S.D. : Plan No. 6-2-49-2, 1949 June 2

  34. Structural Concrete Building : City Auditorium : Ree Heights, S.D. : Plan No. 5 U--31—4, 1940 May 31

  35. Super-Service Station : F. W. Schwenk : Yankton, S.D. : Plan No. S-9-16-3, 1938 September 16

  36. Tile Fire Station : Hoven, S. D. : Plan No. 5/16/49-2, 1949 May 16

  37. Two Story and Basement Brick Building : F. D. Kinyon : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. H 3-30-7, 1927 March 29

  38. Two Story Brick School Building : Tulare Independent School District No. 36 : Tulare, S.D. : Plan No. I -10-4, 1928 July 10

  39. Two Story Farm Elevator : State College - State Board of Regents : Brookings, S.D. : Plan No. C 5-4, 1922 May 22

  40. Two Story Fire Proof Building : Goethal and Leak Building : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. I 12-20-6, 1928 December 20

  41. Two Story Frame Stucco Dwelling : H. A. Dravis : Waukon, Iowa : Plan No. 434-6, 1920 May 17

  42. Two Story Tile Building : Faulkton, S.D. : Plan No. 8/23/48/2, 1948 August 23

  43. Ventilation, Heating, Plumbing and Wiring : Huron Independent School District : Huron, S.D. : Plan No. H 2-28-3, 1927 February 28

Box 3.

  1. One Story Frame School Building : Theresa Township, Beadle County, S.D. : Plan No. 337-2, 1917 July 21

  2. One Story and Basement Frame School Building : Fairfield Township : Beadle County, S.D., 1919 September 1

  3. Story and a Half Residence : De Smet, S.D. : Plan No. 426-5, 1919 November 15

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Updated 23 June 2008 by cjg

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Copyright 2008 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives.
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