Edmond Jacques Eckel (1845-1934) Papers (KC258)

Edmond Eckel was born in Strasbourg, in the French territory of Alsace. At fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to a relative who was a prominent contractor and builder. He also studied architecture under the City Architect of Strasbourg before attending the Atelier Paccard in Paris in 1863. Subsequently he attended the Atelier Vandoyer and entered the Ecole des Beaux Arts in 1864.

Eckel came to the United States in 1868, the year he graduated from the Ecole. After a short stay in New York City, he traveled west and was delayed several days in St. Joseph, Missouri. Exploring the town, he decided on July 3, 1869, to remain there and became a draftsman for a building firm with whom he later become a partner. E.J. Eckel established his own company in 1880 and was soon joined by George R. Mann, to create the architectural firm of Eckel and Mann which continued until 1892. In 1910, Eckel, together with his son George R. Eckel and William S. Aldrich, formed Eckel and Aldrich, Architects. The work of Eckel and his companies literally resulted in designs for hundreds of buildings and residences in and around St. Joseph.

The papers include booklets describing courses of study and assignment sheets produced by the Ecole des Beaux Arts from 1865 to 1868, and a book of manuscript notes taken by Eckel as a student there. Hand drawn architectural sketches and mounted photographs of architectural subjects used for study provide other insights into his educational experience. Representing Eckel's career as an architect are blueprints of his St. Joseph home designed in 1912 by Eckel and Aldrich. Personal materials include a ledger book of accounts for Eckel's ranch in Williford, Arkansas. 1860-1952

18 folders

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updated: Tuesday, November 01, 2005
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