OTTO H. MATZ

Background

Otto H. Matz was born in 1830 in Germany.

Education

A graduate of the Berlin Polytechnic Institute.

Career

He migrated to the U. S. while a youth, settled in Chicago, and at the age of twenty-four was appointed Architect for the Illinois Central Railroad. Between 1854 and 1857 he was in charge of the planning and erection of the great Depot at the foot of Water Street, the most promment building in Chicago at the time of its completion. During the Civil War he served as Engineer on the staffs of General Grant and other U S officers later returned to Chicago, and for two years (1869-71) was Architect to the City School Board.

Following the great fire of 1871 which devastated the city, Mr. Matz was busy for many years in reconstruction work. He also participated actively in the planning and erection of business and public buildings, noted examples of which were the County Criminal Court Building at Dearborn and Hubbard Streets (extant in 1940); the first Alexian Brother Hospital, and the Chicago Hospital for Women, 1885. Mr. Matz also entered the competition for the Cook County Court House and City Hall instituted in 1874, in which the leading architects participated. While he won a prize for his design, the commission was awarded to others.

Works

More photos

• Other Work

  • Cook County Criminal Court Building

    (Courthouse Place, also known as the Cook County Criminal ...)

  • first Alexian Brother Hospital