Identifier
MA 4
Dates
1883-1970
Extent
1.05 linear feet (2 document cases, 1 oversize box)
Abstract
Frank Charles William Kuehn (1884-1970), an influential architect based in Huron, South Dakota, is known for his work on schools, commercial buildings, churches, and residential properties. His designs for public works, including auditoriums, fire stations, and service stations, reflect his impact on the region's architectural development. Notable projects in the collection include the Huron Dairy Products Company, several South Dakota Standard schools, and the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Doland. The plans capture the growth of South Dakota during the early to mid-20th century and highlight Kuehn’s role in shaping the architectural landscape of the region.
Historical Note
Frank Charles William Kuehn was born on September 4, 1884, in LeMars, Iowa. His family moved to Dakota Territory when he was just seven months old, settling on a claim in Jackson Township, Sanborn County, on March 1, 1885. The family lived in a sod shanty, surrounded by Kuehn's extended family, including his grandfather and the siblings of his parents, Elizabeth, and Frank Theodore Kuehn. In March 1903, the family relocated to Huron, South Dakota, where Kuehn would live for the next 67 years. On June 3, 1914, Kuehn married Amelia Johanna Wagner, and together they had three daughters: Jeannette, Lois, and Margaret. Amelia passed away in October 1950 due to a heart attack, and Kuehn remarried Florence Dokken Hanson on August 15, 1954.
From a young age, Kuehn was determined to become an architect. He enrolled in the International Correspondence Schools in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in 1907 began working for Huron architect George Issenhuth. He continued working for Issenhuth through 1909 while furthering his studies. On September 9, 1909, Kuehn opened his own architectural office in Huron, SD, and quickly established himself as a school architect with a design for a two-story brick school in Frankfort, SD. This building, a notable example of Prairie-School Style architecture, marked the beginning of his 41-year relationship with the South Dakota Department of Public Instruction.
In 1918, to supplement his income during a decline in building projects due to World War I, Kuehn began selling insurance. He continued this work alongside his architecture throughout his life. In the early 1920s, Kuehn designed homes and notable downtown Huron buildings, and began producing county maps for South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. In the 1930s, he founded the Huron Blueprint Co., which provided services during the Great Depression. He also worked for the Homeowners Loan Corporation, inspecting homes for financing. During the 1940s, Kuehn’s Standard Rural School Plans gained recognition beyond South Dakota.
In the 1950s, Kuehn shifted his focus exclusively to his expanding county map business. By the 1960s, he had broadened his maps to include highway maps for Minnesota counties and compiled books combining maps from South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota, which sold well. Kuehn passed away in 1970 following an illness. Over the course of his career, he designed numerous projects, many of which are detailed in the 1984 publication F.C.W. Kuehn Prairie Architect, written by his daughters, which documents his life and architectural contributions.
Content Notes
The F. C. W. Kuehn Papers consist of architectural plans for various buildings, primarily located in South Dakota, spanning from 1917 to 1952. It includes designs for one-story and other structures, such as commercial buildings, schools, churches, and residential properties. Notable examples include the Huron Dairy Products Company, several South Dakota Standard and Kuehn’s Standard school buildings, and the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Doland. Additionally, the collection features plans for public works projects, including city auditoriums, fire stations, and service stations, as well as residential structures and a variety of renovations and repairs. These plans reflect the architectural development and growth of South Dakota during the early to mid-20th century, highlighting a range of construction types and purposes.
The architectural drawings include work from both Kuehn's years enrolled in the International Correspondence Schools and his career as an architect.
The general items are composed of miscellaneous items related to Kuehn.
The random specifications are composed of construction specifications for projects Kuehn worked on.
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Language
English
Publisher
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Rights
Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.
Recommended Citation
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 ac-cordance 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 commer-cial use or other use not covered under fair use or statutory allowances.
