Identifier

MA 4

Dates

1883-1970

Extent

1.05 linear feet (2 document cases, 1 oversize box)

Abstract

This collection documents the life and professional work of architect Frank Charles William Kuehn (1884–1970), whose career was centered in Huron, South Dakota. Materials date from 1883 to 1970 and include architectural drawings, blueprints, specifications, maps, photographs, and related printed and ephemera materials. The records reflect Kuehn’s extensive architectural practice, particularly his work designing schools, churches, municipal buildings, commercial structures, and residences throughout South Dakota and neighboring states. Also represented are his Standard Rural School Plans, long association with the South Dakota Department of Public Instruction, and his later county and highway map publishing business serving South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Together, the collection provides detailed documentation of architectural design, construction practices, and community development in the northern Plains during the early to mid-twentieth century.

Historical Note

Frank Charles William Kuehn was born on September 4, 1884, in LeMars, Iowa. His family moved to Dakota Territory when he was seven months old and settled on a claim in Jackson Township, Sanborn County, on March 1, 1885. The family lived in a sod shanty near extended family members, including Kuehn’s grandparents and the siblings of his parents, Elizabeth and Frank Theodore Kuehn. In March 1903, the family relocated to Huron, South Dakota, where Kuehn resided for the next 67 years. He married Amelia Johanna Wagner on June 3, 1914, and they had three daughters, Jeannette, Lois, and Margaret. Amelia died in October 1950 following a heart attack, and Kuehn married Florence Dokken Hanson on August 15, 1954.

Kuehn pursued architectural training through the International Correspondence Schools in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in 1907 began working for Huron architect George Issenhuth. He continued in Issenhuth’ s office through 1909 while completing his studies. On September 9, 1909, Kuehn opened his own architectural office in Huron, South Dakota. He quickly became known for school design, beginning with a two story brick school in Frankfort, South Dakota, an example of Prairie School style architecture. This project marked the start of a 41 year professional association with the South Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

During World War I, a decline in building activity led Kuehn to supplement his income by selling insurance, a practice he continued alongside his architectural work. In the early 1920s, he designed residential and commercial buildings in Huron and began producing county maps for South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. In the 1930s, he established the Huron Blueprint Company, providing drafting and reproduction services during the Great Depression, and worked as a home inspector for the Homeowners Loan Corporation. During the 1940s, his Standard Rural School Plans gained recognition beyond South Dakota.

In the 1950s, Kuehn gradually shifted his primary focus to his county map business. By the 1960s, he expanded into highway mapping for Minnesota counties and published bound volumes combining maps from South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Kuehn died in 1970 following an illness. His architectural career and contributions are documented in the 1984 publication F.C.W. Kuehn Prairie Architect, written by his daughters.

Content Notes

The collection consists of architectural drawings, specifications, maps, photographs, printed materials, and ephemera documenting the professional work of F. C. W. Kuehn, an architect active primarily in South Dakota. Materials date from 1883 to 1970, with the bulk dating from the early twentieth century through the 1950s. Architectural drawings include blueprints and drawings on linen, paper, and parchment. Project specifications document a wide range of building types, including schools, churches, municipal buildings, auditoriums, hospitals, fire stations, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, residences, and public utilities. Many projects relate to rural and small town communities across South Dakota, with some work in neighboring states. Additional materials include county highway maps, standard school plans, correspondence, a diploma, photographs, a commemorative poster, and printed promotional items. Together, the materials provide detailed evidence of architectural design, construction practices, and public infrastructure development in South Dakota communities during this period.

The collection documents of early to mid-twentieth century architecture and construction in South Dakota, particularly public, educational, and municipal buildings. The extensive specifications and drawings illustrate standardized school planning, rural development, and the expansion of civic infrastructure. The materials support research in architectural history, historic preservation, public education facilities, and community development, and provide primary source documentation for identifying and interpreting historic structures associated with F. C. W. Kuehn’s work.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

This document is a descriptive inventory of the collection in the SDSU Archives and Special Collections. It contains:

  • An overview of the collection, including information about the person or organization and a brief description of the materials and subjects found within.
  • A detailed inventory listing, organized by boxes and folders.
  • Information on how to access the materials, including any restrictions or special conditions.

In most cases, the materials in the collections have not been digitized and are not available online. If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at:

Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection are made available for research and educational purposes in accordance with Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act, which permits libraries and archives to reproduce and distribute copies of copyrighted works for non-commercial use in specific circumstances. Users are responsible for ensuring that their use of the materials complies with applicable copyright laws and are advised to seek permission from the copyright holder for any commercial use or other use not covered under fair use or statutory allowances.

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