Background
Clarence H. Johnston was born in 1859 the village of Okamon in Waseca, Minnesota, United States. The village (no longer in existence) was founded by his pioneer father, Alex Johnson, a distinguished figure in early Minnesota journalism.
Clarence H. Johnston was born in 1859 the village of Okamon in Waseca, Minnesota, United States. The village (no longer in existence) was founded by his pioneer father, Alex Johnson, a distinguished figure in early Minnesota journalism.
He was graduated from the High School of St. Paul.
In 1877 he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a special student in architecture, and after graduation (with a B.S. degree) in 1881 he spent several months of travel and supplementary study in Europe.
In 1883 Mr. Johnston established his own office in St. Paul, and continued to live and practice in that city the rest of his life. For thirty years he was retained as architect of the Minnesota State Board of Control, and became an authority in the matter of housing for the State’s criminal and dependent classes. Among the various buildings he designed was the State Prison at Stillwater, Minn., a model structure of its kind.
During a later period Mr. Johnston was appointed Architect for the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, and after 1904 designed all of the buildings on the campus with the exception of two. Among the public and commercial buildings in St. Paul which he designed were the State Office Building and the State Historical Building; Tri-State Telephone and Telegraph Co. Building; Miller Hospital; Park Congregational Church; Lowry Medical Arts Building. In addition Mr. Johnston was commissioned as architect for St. Mary's Hospital at Rochester, Minn., the College of St. Theresa. Chapel and Dormitories at Winona, Minn., as well as designing numerous churches and residences throughout the state.