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.

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.

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

Processed collection, open for use by qualified researchers.