Otto H. Thorman

Otto H. Thorman (April 12, 1887 - March 11, 1966) was an American architect. He designed many houses in the Manhattan Heights neighborhood of El Paso, Texas as well as several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places like the Woman's Club of El Paso and Goddard Hall on the campus of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Otto H. Thorman
Born	April 12, 1887 Washington, Missouri, U.S.
Died	March 11, 1966 El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Architect
Spouse(s)	Adelia F. Thorman
Children	2 sons, 3 daughters

Early life

Thorman was born on April 12, 1887 in Washington, Missouri.[1] He attended the St. Louis Art Institute.[1]

Career

Goddard Hall, designed by Thorman in 1913.

The El Paso Women's Club, designed by Thorman in 1916.

Thorman began his career as an architect in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he focused on the Spanish Colonial Revival style.[2]

From 1911 to his death, Thorman maintained an architectural practice in El Paso, Texas.[3] He designed many houses in the Manhattan Heights neighborhood.[1] He also designed the El Paso Free Public Library and the pavilion for the former Statue of Liberty in Pioneer Plaza.[3] In 1916, he designed the Woman's Club of El Paso in the Georgian Revival and Beaux-Arts styles. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]

In Las Cruces, New Mexico, Thorman designed Goddard Hall in the Spanish Colonial Revival style in 1913 and the (former) University President's House in the Prairie School style in 1918; they are both located on the campus of New Mexico State University.[5][6] With Guy L. Frazer, he designed the Rio Grande Theatre in the Renaissance Revival style in 1926.[7][8] All three buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thorman succeeded Louis Daeuble, Jr. as the president of the El Paso chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1952.[9]

Personal life and death

With his wife Adelia, Thorman had two sons and three daughters.[2] He died on March 11, 1966 in El Paso.[2]

References

1. Peters, Craig M. (2011). El Paso's Manhattan Heights. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 17–30. ISBN 9780738584805. OCLC 721822929.
2. "O. Thorman, EP Architect, Dies Friday". El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. March 12, 1966. p. 6. Retrieved June 16, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Hillbrand, Rose. "Guide to MS147 Otto H. Thorman Records". University of Texas at El Paso. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
4. "Woman's Club". National Park Service. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
5. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Goddard Hall". National Park Service. 1988. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
6. Tim Price; Corinne P. Sze (1989). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: University President's House". National Park Service. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
7. Scott A. Green (March 2003). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Rio Grande Theatre". National Park Service. Retrieved June 17, 2019. With accompanying pictures
8. Hunner, Jon; Kord, Brian; Lachica, Cassandra; Spence, Renee (2003). Las Cruces. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. p. 108. ISBN 9780738520971.
9. "Thorman Elected Architect Head". El Paso Times. December 16, 1952. p. 13. Retrieved June 18, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.