Background
James (Colone) H. Dakin was born in 1808 in New York, United States.
James (Colone) H. Dakin was born in 1808 in New York, United States.
He began his career in the office of Town & Davis, in 1829 as apprentice draftsman, and during the next four years was unofficially a member of the firm. Also may have prepared plans for the Dutch Reformed Church in Washington Square, N. Y., the latter an advanced example of the Greek Revival.
In 1835 Dakin left New York for New Orleans to join his brother Charles, and practiced there two years under the firm name of Dakin, Gallier & Dakin. During that period of partnership his best known works were the Merchants Exchange on Royal Street (1836-38); St. Charles Hotel (1836), destroyed by fire in 1850 and rebuilt afterward by Isaiah Rogers; and Christ
Church on Canal Street. The Dakin brothers designed the Arsenal in New Orleans on St. Peter Street, now the State Museum, and James independently, was the architect of the Methodist Church built at the corner o Poydras and Carondolet St., burned in the fire that destroyed the St Charles Hotel; Union Terrace Buildings on Canal St. and the Julia Buildings. To him is also ascribed the design of the richly Gothic church of St. Patrick (erroneously claimed by James Gallier as his work), the latter's connection with the building appears to have been only when he was called in consultation when difficulties in construction occurred. There is also recorded, that at one time James and his brother worked in partnership under the name of Dakin, Bell & Dakin on a proposed plan for the City Hall. The project, however, was abandoned, and the building later erected from Gallier s plans.
During the U. S. War with Mexico (1846-48) Mr. Dakin was commissioned an officer of the Second Regiment of the Louisiana Volunteers, and afterwards made his home in Baton Rouge, where later his death occurred.
St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans
(destroyed by fire in 1850 and rebuilt afterward by Isaiah...)
1836Dutch Reformed Church in Washington Square, N. Y.
(James H. Dakin prepared plans for it. It is an advanced e...)
Custom House in New Orleans
(James H. Dakin was engaged in preparing plans for the Cus...)