John Latenser, Sr.

Infobox Person
name = John Latenser, Sr.

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caption = John Latenser, Sr.
birth_date = 1858
birth_place = Nendeln, Liechtenstein
death_date = 1936
death_place = Omaha, Nebraska
occupation = Architect
spouse =
parents =
children = John Jr., Frank

John Latenser, Sr., born "Johann Laternser" (1858 – 1936), was a Liechtenstein-born American architect whose influential public works in Omaha, Nebraska numbered in the dozens. Many of the buildings Latenser designed, including public and private, are included on the National Register of Historic Places. In the 1930s 89 out of 98 blocks in Downtown Omaha contained at least one building designed by Latenser and Sons. [ [http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/FL/flemi2-e.htm#latenser "Story of John Latenser, Sr."] Retrieved 3/26/08.] Latenser designed more than a dozen buildings that are currently included on the National Register of Historic Places.

Biography

Born in Nendeln, Liechtenstein to a family of people in the construction business, Latenser studied architecture at the Polytechnic College in Stuttgart, Germany, which is now the University of Stuttgart. After 1873 he took a job as a caretaker in his brother Heinrich’s business in Strasbourg, France. It is not known precisely when he immigrated to the United States. [ [http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/FL/flemi2-e.htm#latenser "Story of John Latenser, Sr."] Retrieved 3/26/08.]

He worked as a draftsman in Chicago, Illinois for several years before starting his own architectural firm in Omaha, Nebraska in 1887. His sons, John Jr. and Frank, later joined him in this firm, Latenser & Sons, which designed several prominent buildings in the Midwestern United States. [ [http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/landmarks/designated_landmarks/architects/Latenser.htm "John Latenser, Sr."] , City of Omaha Landmark Heritage Commission. Retrieved 3/25/08.]

Career

Many of Latenser's works ares still standing today and include the Douglas County Courthouse, the Omaha Central High School, Long School, Saunders School, Columbian School, and the Center School buildings, the Keeline Building, the Douglas Eggerss-O'Flyng Building in Omaha and the Blair High School building in Blair, Nebraska. These and many other buildings Latenser designed are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Other notable works are at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he was responsible for designing the Temple building, a nursing dormitory at the Medical School, and the Memorial Stadium, as well as the Schulte Field House. [ [http://historicbuildings.unl.edu/people.php?peopleID=34&cid=12 "John Latenser and Sons"] , UNL Historical Buildings. Retrieved 3/25/08.] Latenser also designed several buildings in Omaha's historic districts, including the South Omaha Main Street Historic District and the now-demolished Jobbers Canyon Historic District.

ee also

*Thomas Rogers Kimball
*Architecture in Omaha, Nebraska
*Architecture in North Omaha, Nebraska
* List of public schools in Omaha, Nebraska
* Omaha Landmarks
* Eugene C. Eppley Administration Building

References