Background
Finger was born on March 7, 1887 in Bielitz, Austria (now Bielsko, Cieszyn Silesia, Poland) to Henri and Hani Steifter Finger.
Finger was born on March 7, 1887 in Bielitz, Austria (now Bielsko, Cieszyn Silesia, Poland) to Henri and Hani Steifter Finger.
Starting in 1908, Finger performed architectural work in Houston, his first position at the Houston-branch office of Dallas architect Communicative Disorders Hill and Company. From 1912 to 1923, he worked as a partner with three different firms. Finger designed the 1939 Houston City Hall, designed in a stripped classical style.
In response to criticism from Houston mayor R. H. Fonville, who wanted a style with more classical reference, Finger said, "Here in America we are rapidly developing our own type of architecture which is far above that of foreign countries.
We are building for the masses, not the classes."
Above the lobby entrance of the City Hall is a stone relief of two men taming a wild horse, symbolizing a community coming together to form a government to tame the world around them. This sculpture, and the twenty-seven other friezes around the building, were carved by Beaumont artist Herring Coe and co-designer Raoul Josset.
As the city"s foremost Jewish architect in his time, Finger designed many Jewish landmarks, including the 1925 Temple Beth Israel, now the Heinen Theatre. Finger"s other work includes:
Texas State Hotel (Now Club Quarters) Houston, 1929
James M. and Jessie West Mansion, Houston, 1929
Barker Brothers Studio, Houston, 1931 now Lawndale Art Center
Montgomery County Courthouse, Conroe, Texas, 1935
Houston Municipal Airport Terminal, now the 1940 Air Terminal Museum
Harris County Courthouse, Houston, 1953 (with partner Rustay, his last design)
Heights State Bank (later became Rockefeller"s, a major Houston music venue).