Henry Cleaveland

Background

Cleaveland was born in 1827 in Massachusetts. His father was an academic at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.

Career

In the 1840s, Cleaveland moved to New York City to study architecture. Cleaveland is said to have been a "disciple" of Andrew Jackson Downing, who published highly influential architectural patternbooks. With his partners, the Backus brothers, Cleaveland co-authored a patternbook of his own, Village and Farm Cottages, which was published in 1856 and, as of 1990, had last been reprinted in 1869.

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Cleaveland"s book, and another by Gervase Wheeler, were credited with having "flashed the Stick look far and wide" and having "inspired local builders to erect Stick houses, or incorporate their details, on a truly national scale for the first time, from the established Northeast to the burgeoning cities of the West like San Francisco."

In February 1857, Cleaveland was one of 13 architects who met to form an organization to "promote the scientific and practical perfection of its members" and "elevate the standing of the profession." The organization became the American Institute of Architects. In 1859, Cleaveland moved to San Francisco, California.

Along with South & J Newsom and Bernard Maybeck, he has been credited with playing an influential role in the transition of California"s architectural style from Spanish-Mexican influence to "the state"s unique Victorian style." While in San Francisco, Cleaveland designed some of his most notable works, including Ralston Hall in Belmont, California, which has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. He also designed the original Palace Hotel, built in 1875 and destroyed in the fire that followed the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

He also worked for a time as an architect in Portland, Oregon.

After retiring, Cleaveland moved to Poughkeepsie, New New York Several of Cleaveland"s works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and at least one has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Connections

Partner:

Samuel Backus