David O. Whilldin: Difference between revisions

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Apparently recognized as the principal designer of the new high school, Whilldin formed his own practice in the [[Title Guaranty Building]] which took on numerous projects for Birmingham's rapidly-expanding [[Birmingham Schools|school system]] as well as several notable projects in Gadsden as well as in [[Tuscaloosa]], where his presence was strongly felt in numerous important commissions.
Apparently recognized as the principal designer of the new high school, Whilldin formed his own practice in the [[Title Guaranty Building]] which took on numerous projects for Birmingham's rapidly-expanding [[Birmingham Schools|school system]] as well as several notable projects in Gadsden as well as in [[Tuscaloosa]], where his presence was strongly felt in numerous important commissions.


By [[1923]] Whilldin had established a second office on Tuscaloosa's Broad Street. He continued to work until his retirement in [[1961]] and died at the age of 89.
By [[1923]] Whilldin had established a second office on Tuscaloosa's Broad Street. He later built a small office building for his Birmingham practice on [[21st Street North]]. He continued to work until his retirement in [[1961]] and died at the age of 89.


==Notable works==
==Notable works==
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* [[Thomas Jefferson Hotel]], [[1927]]
* [[Thomas Jefferson Hotel]], [[1927]]
* F. W. Woolworth store, Tuscaloosa, [[1932]]
* F. W. Woolworth store, Tuscaloosa, [[1932]]
* [[Medical Alumni Building|Brown-Service Funeral Home]], 20th Street South, [[1936]]
* Tuscaloosa City Hall, [[1938]]
* Tuscaloosa City Hall, [[1938]]
* Bama Theatre, [[1938]]
* Bama Theatre, [[1938]]

Revision as of 17:02, 7 April 2008

David Oliver Whilldin (born April 8, 1881 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - died January 18, 1970 in Birmingham) was an architect active in Birmingham from 1904 until his retirement in 1961. He is best known for his numerous school commissions.

Whilldin was born to an ivory importer in Philadelphia, who died when he son was only two years old. He earned a bachelor of science from the Drexel Polytechnic Institute in 1901 and completed a special course in architecture at the University of Pennsylvania the next June.

In 1904 Whilldin, now in Birmingham, became partner of Harry Breeding in the firm of Breeding & Whilldin, working on buildings throughout the state. Their most important commission was the new Birmingham High School, completed in 1906. By that time, Whilldin had married the former Cornelia Pierce English of Philadelphia. Their first child, Virginia Lucy, was born in 1906 and a son, David Jr, was born three years later.

Apparently recognized as the principal designer of the new high school, Whilldin formed his own practice in the Title Guaranty Building which took on numerous projects for Birmingham's rapidly-expanding school system as well as several notable projects in Gadsden as well as in Tuscaloosa, where his presence was strongly felt in numerous important commissions.

By 1923 Whilldin had established a second office on Tuscaloosa's Broad Street. He later built a small office building for his Birmingham practice on 21st Street North. He continued to work until his retirement in 1961 and died at the age of 89.

Notable works

References

  • Shelby, Thomas Mark (April 2007) "D. O. Whilldin". Heritage Week 2007. Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society.