Background
Allen B. Pond was born in 1858 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
Allen B. Pond was born in 1858 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
He received a formal education at the University of Michigan.
Following graduation in 1889, he taught for three years at the Ann Arbor High School, and later at the State University.
Before starting architectural practice, Mr. Pond acted as assistant to his father who was Warden at the State Prison in Jackson, Mich. Undoubtedly his contacts there with men of the criminal class led directly to his interest and later work in the field of social reform. He became closely associated wih the late Jane Addams in the management of the Hull House in Chicago and from 1895 until his death served as Secretary of the Institution, also at one time was President of the Gads Hill Social Settlement. He aided in forming the Municipal Voters League of Chicago ahd other organizations engaged in Social Service, later participated in municipal affairs, served as Chairman of the City Zoning Board of Appeals, and subsequently became a Director of the National Housing Association.
In professional practice Mr. Pond designed a number of buildings in Chicago and other cities, mainly in association with his brother. Pond & Pond were architects of the Hull House group of buildings erected between 1895 and 1913; Baptist Training School for Nurses; buildings of University of Michigan and a similar type of building at Purdue University, c.1925; Hotel Whitcomb at St Joseph, Mich 1927. and the U. S. Post Office Building at Kankake.