Finding Aid for the Kirtland Kelsey Cutter papers, circa 1913-1998 0000126

Finding aid prepared by Amber DelaCruz and Chris Marino

The processing of this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project.

Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum

Arts Building Room 1434

University of California

Santa Barbara, California, 93106-7130

805-893-2724

adc@museum.ucsb.edu

2015

Title: Kirtland Kelsey Cutter papers

Identifier/Call Number: 0000126

Contributing Institution: Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 4.0 Linear feet (2 half record storage boxes and 1 flat file drawer)

Date (inclusive): circa 1913-1998

Location note: Box 1-2/ADC - regular 1 Flat File Drawer/ADC - flat files

creator: Cutter, Kirtland Kelsey, 1860-1939

Access

Processed collection, open for use by qualified researchers.

Custodial History note

Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Poper, 1999.

Preferred Citation note

Kirtland Kelsey Cutter papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.

Biographical/Historical note

Kirtland Kelsey Cutter was born in East Rockport, Ohio on August 20, 1860. At age 17, Cutter attended Brooks Military Academy. After military school, Cutter enrolled in the Art Students’ League of New York, intent on becoming an illustrator. Following art school, Kirtland Cutter traveled to Europe and studied art in Dresden and Florence. In 1886, Cutter moved back to the United States to Spokane Washington, where he made the decision to practice architecture rather than pursue a career in art. Cutter recruited John C. Poetz, a young draftsman who had just moved to Spokane from Los Angeles, to be his partner. After fire destroyed most of downtown Spokane in 1889, Kirtland Cutter and his partner John C. Poetz helped to rebuild the city. Notable buildings from this period include: First National Bank, Rookery Building, White House Store, Sherwood Building, and Spokane Club. Work began to pick up for Cutter after he had finished rebuilding downtown Spokane, and he began receiving residential commissions in Seattle, Tacoma, and Santa Barbara. In 1923, Cutter sold his practice to his longtime assistant Henry Bertelsen and moved to California, where he set up a new firm in Long Beach. From 1923 through 1929 Cutter was in a partnership with architect Jess Jones. In California, Cutter designed residences in Long Beach, Palos Verdes, Beverly Hills, and San Marino. Kirtland Kelsey Cutter died September 26, 1939 at the age of 79 in Long Beach.

Separated Materials note

The following books were transferred to the UCSB Arts Library in February, 2000:

Book of the Boston Architectural Club, "signed Kirtland Cutter"

Borghese: An Illustrated Catalogue, signed "Kirtland Cutter, Long Beach"

Garrisson, G. Richard and George W. Rustay Mexican Houses: a Book of Photographs and Measured Drawings, signed "Kirtland Cutter, 1930"

General Catalogue of Jacobson and Company

Humphreys, John S. Bermuda Houses, signed "Kirtland Cutter, Long Beach, 1930"

Lowell, Guy Smaller Italian Villas and Farmhouses, signed on flyleaf "Kirtland Cutter."

Lowell, Guy More Small Italian Villas and Farmhouses, signed "Kirtland Cutter, 1927"

Mack, Gerstle and Thomas Gibson Architectural Details of Southern Spain: One Hundred Measured drawings and One Hundred and Thirteen Photographs, signed "Kirtland Cutter, Long Beach"

Arrangement note

The arrangement scheme for this collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a usable original order, and is organized alphabetically by subject and/or name.

Scope and Content note

The Kirtland Kelsey Cutter papers span 4 linear feet and date from 1913 to 1998. The collection primarily contains material related to Cutter's work in Southern California and is composed of black-and-white photographs of Southern Californian residences that Cutter designed, newspaper clippings and ephemera about Cutter that date from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, Cutter’s handbook on architectural practice dated 1928, architectural drawings (primarily presentation drawings) as well as architectural reprographic copies. A few files hold information about buildings in Washington State.

Related Archival Materials note

Cutter & Malgren Records, 1889-1923, Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane, WA, Collection Number Ms 49.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Cutter, Kirtland Kelsey, 1860-1939

Architectural drawings

Architecture -- California -- 20th century

Architecture, Spanish Colonial -- California, Southern

Photographic prints

Presentation drawings (proposals)

Reprographic copies

Box 1, Folder 21

Article: "The Cutter Mystique" circa 1985

Scope and Contents note

March/April 1985 issue of Washington Magazine, featuring an article on Cutter.

Box 1, Folder 20

Article on unidentified Long Beach, California house 1986

Scope and Contents note

March 1986 issue of Long Beach Review magazine, featuring an article on the last home designed by Cutter.

Box 1, Folder 18-19

Articles and clippings on Cutter 1979-1998

Scope and Contents note

Various articles and clippings related to Cutter and/or his designs.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9, Box 1, Folder 4

Buchanan, James E. House 700 Via Somonte (Palos Verdes, Calif.) 1927

Scope and Contents note

Folder 4 contains 4 exterior and 2 interior photographs by Padilla Studios. FlatFile 9 contains 4 drawings of exterior perspectives.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9, Box 1, Folder 5

Cameron, A.E. House (Palos Verdes, Calif.) 1924

Scope and Contents note

Folder 5 contains 1 interior and 1 exterior photograph. FlatFile 9 contains 1 drawing of 4 exterior perspectives.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 8

Clock, Henry H. House (unknown location) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

2 drawings of elevations and floor plans, and 1 blueprint.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 8

Clock, John G. House (unknown location) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 drawing of exterior perspective.

Box 1, Folder 6

Condit, D.P. House (Long Beach, Calif.) 1929

Scope and Contents note

1 exterior photograph by The Inman Co.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Conklin, Cora and Blanche Randall House (Palos Verdes, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

4 drawings of exterior perspectives, signed by Vance Clarke.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 8

Cotton, C.M. House (Bel Air, Los Angeles, Calif.) 1932

Scope and Contents note

1 drawing of exterior perspective.

Box 1, Folder 7

Cowles, W.H. House Eucalyptus Hill (Santa Barbara, Calif.) 1913-1914

Scope and Contents note

3 exterior photographs.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 1

Crews, Laura H. House (Beverly Hills, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

3 drawings of exterior perspectives.

Box 2, Folder 6

Eastern Washington State Historical Society circa 1984

Scope and Contents note

A collection of brochures and booklets published by the Eastern Washington State Historical Society, which feature architectural designs by Cutter.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 2

Episcopal Church (Burbank, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

2 drawings of exterior perspectives.

Box 1, Folder 8, Drawer 39, FlatFile 8

Fleming, Victor Beach Cottage (Balboa island, Newport, Calif.) 1933

Scope and Contents note

Folder 8 contains 2 exterior photographs by W.P. Woodcock. FlatFile 8 contains 2 drawings of exterior perspectives on board.

Box 1, Folder 9, Drawer 39, FlatFile 3

Gard, Earle W. House 2780 Via Campesina (Palos Verdes, Calif.) 1927

Scope and Contents note

Folder 9 contains 2 exterior photographs by Padilla Studios. FlatFile 3 contains 2 drawings of exterior perspectives, and 14 blueprints of plans.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Gardener, W. W. House (Palos Verdes, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

2 drawings of exterior perspectives, on boards.

Box 2, Folder 7

Handbook of Architectural Practice 1927

Scope and Contents note

Entire book issued by the American Institute of Architects, and signed by Cutter on inside page.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 4

Hanson Ole Hotel (San Clemente, Calif.) 1930

Scope and Contents note

4 drawings of exterior perspectives, signed by Vance Clarke.

Box 1, Folder 10

Honeyman House (Balboa Island, Newport, Calif.) 1933

Scope and Contents note

1 interior photograph by W.P. Woodcock.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 8

Jergins, A.T. House (unknown location) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

5 drawings of exterior perspectives and elevations. 1 drawing is signed by Vance Clarke.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Jones, Hugo W. House (Palos Verdes, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 drawing of exterior perspective.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Kingsley, E.M. House (Palos Verdes, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 drawing of exterior perspective, signed by Vance Clarke.

Box 1, Folder 1

Kirtland Cutter Biographical Data circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

Obituary and other biographical information related to Cutter.

Box 1, Folder 2

Kirtland Cutter Research Group 1987-1992

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence between Phyllys Poper and supporters of Cutter research, and a 1989 Kirtland Cutter illustrated commemorative calendar.

Box 2, Folder 1

Kirtland Cutter Video Footage 1984

Scope and Contents note

1 videotape.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 5

Long Beach City College circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

2 drawings of aerial perspectives.

Box 1, Folder 11

Long Beach Junior College Library (Long Beach, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 interior and 1 exterior photograph.

Box 1, Folder 3

Mailing Lists circa 1988

Scope and Contents note

Various mailing lists of people interested in Cutter's work.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Marsland, John E. House (Portuguese Bend, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 drawing of exterior perspective.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 8

Pacific Coast Club circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 drawing of interior perspective.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 6

Parkford, E.A. House (Montecito, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

3 interior and 1 exterior perspective drawings.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 7, Box 1, Folder 12

Peyton, Robert House 910 Foothill Rd. (Beverly Hills, Calif.) 1932

Scope and Contents note

Folder 12 contains 1 interior and 4 exterior photographs by W.P. Woodcock. FlatFile 7 contains 1 drawing of front elevation.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Phillips, J. Norman House (Palos Verdes, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 drawing of exterior perspective, signed by Vance Clarke.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 10

Reproductions of Architectural Illustrations circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

Pages from various publications featuring architectural elements. Also contains clipping of architectural feature from the St. Paul's Cathedral in Los Angeles, designed by Johnson, Kaufmann & Coate.

Box 1, Folder 13

San Clemente Hotel (San Clemente, Calif.) 1930

Scope and Contents note

4 negatives.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 8

San Pedro Golf & Country Club circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 reproduction of floor plan.

Box 2, Folder 4

Spokane Country: The Way it Was 1973

Scope and Contents note

Illustrated book published by the Eastern Washington State Historical Society, featuring the history of the Spokane area.

Box 1, Folder 22

Spokane's Historic Architecture 1977

Scope and Contents note

Booklet published by the Eastern Washington State Historical Society which contains drawings and information on various houses designed by Cutter.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Stein, O.J. House (Palos Verdes, Calif.) circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 drawing of 2 exterior perspectives.

Box 1, Folder 14

Sutherland House (Palos Verdes, Calif.) 1926

Scope and Contents note

5 exterior Padilla Studios photographs and 1 unattributed exterior photograph.

Box 2, Folder 8

The Parthenon Naos 1928

Scope and Contents note

The book "The Parthenon Naos" by Ernest Flagg. Also contains 2 typed and signed letters from Ernest Flagg to Cutter.

Box 2, Folder 5

Then & Now: A Photographic History of the Spokane Area 1974

Scope and Contents note

Book featuring historic photographs of Spokane, with several photographs of houses designed by Cutter.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Thornburg, Harry D. House (Palos Verdes, Calif.) 1937

Scope and Contents note

1 drawing of exterior perspective.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 11

Unidentified hotel circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

2 original and 1 reproduction of exterior perspective drawings.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 12

Unidentified houses circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

17 drawings of exterior perspectives of unidentifed houses. Several drawings are signed by Vance Clarke.

Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Unidentified houses, Palos Verdes, Calif. circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

4 drawings of exterior perspectives, signed by Vance Clarke. Also contains 1 drawing of floorplan of house on Wazziers Avenue.

Box 1, Folder 17

Unidentified photographs circa 1930

Scope and Contents note

1 interior and 26 exterior photographs, primarily of houses. Photographers include Oscar Maurer, The Inman Col, and Olmsted Brothers.

Box 2, Folder 3

Video Production correspondence 1984

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence and other paperwork concerning a video production about Cutter.

Box 1, Folder 15, Drawer 39, FlatFile 9

Von Platen, Karl House (San Marino, Calif.) 1927

Scope and Contents note

File contains 1 exterior photograph, stamp on verso reads "Jess J. Jones, A.I.A." FlatFile 9 contains 4 drawings of exterior perspectives, signed by Vance Clarke.

Box 1, Folder 16, Drawer 39, FlatFile 8

Ware, Beulah Jane House 206 Bennett Ave. (Long Beach, Calif.) 1939; 1991

Scope and Contents note

File contains correspondence, photograph and card from 1991, and 1939 agreement for the construction of the Ware house (Box 1, folder 16). FlatFile 8 contains 1 drawing of exterior perspective.