Louis J. Gill papers, circa 1907-circa 1969

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Summary

Creators:
Gill, Louis J., 1885-1969
Extent:
14.0 Linear feet (2 boxes and 4 flat file drawers)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Louis J. Gill papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

The Louis J. Gill papers span 14 linear feet and date from circa 1911 to circa 1969. The collection contains architectural drawings and reprographic copies of primarily San Diego area structures designed by Louis Gill, newspaper and magazine clippings, Gill’s professional stationary and handwritten notes regarding architectural projects, and disbound-scrapbook pages filled with black-and-white photographs. The collection also contains materials related to Louis Gill's uncle, the architect Irving Gill, to include correspondence between Louis Gill and researchers, biographical information, articles and clippings, and exhibition materials featuring the work of Irving Gill.

Biographical / historical:

Louis J. Gill was born on May 9, 1885 in Syracuse, New York. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1911 and moved to San Diego later that year. Right out of school Louis Gill began working as a draftsman at the firm of his uncle, Irving J. Gill, in San Diego. By 1913, Louis Gill was promoted to chief draftsman and a year later formed a partnership with his uncle known as Gill and Gill, Architects. During this time, Louis Gill assisted on the designs of the La Jolla Women’s Club, the Community House for the Playground in the Scripps Group and the Ellen Scripps residence, all located in La Jolla, California. In 1919, Gill and Gill Architects dissolved and Louis formed his own independent firm and completed many notable projects in the San Diego region, such as the Dr. Harry Wegeforth residence, the Sacred Heart Church in Coronado, Mission Hills Congregational Church, St. James-by-the-Sea, Rees-Stealy Clinic, John W. Mitchell Art Gallery in Coronado, residences in the San Diego area, and was hired as the architect for the San Diego Zoo. Louis J. Gill helped form the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. In 1955, he retired after a 44 year career in San Diego. Louis J. Gill died on August 19, 1969, at the age of 84.

Custodial history:

Gift of Louis J. Gill, 1969. Additional materials gifted by John S. Gill, 1970 and Donald S. Gill, 2004.

Arrangement:

The following arrangement scheme for this collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a usable original order. The collection is organized in four series: Personal Papers, Irving Gill Materials, Office Files, and Architecture and Design Projects. The contents of the personal papers, Irving Gill materials, and office files series are arranged chronologically by date of the materials.The materials within the architecture and design projects series are divided into subseries by client and subsequently organized by format (for example: architectural drawings, photographs, and project files).

Physical location:
Box 1/ADC - regular Box 2/ADC - oversize* 4 Flat File Drawers/ADC - flat files
Rules or conventions:
Rules for Archival Description

Access and use

Restrictions:

Processed collection, open for use by qualified researchers.

Preferred citation:

Louis J. Gill papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-7130, US
Contact:
(805) 893-2724
adc@museum.ucsb.edu
Website