Architectural records for buildings and interior designs by Arthur Hercz and firms associated with him, [ca. 1898-1930]

  • Collection ID 1982.0291
  • Creator Names Hercz, Arthur, 1866-1941.
  • Title Architectural records for buildings and interior designs by Arthur Hercz and firms associated with him [graphic].
  • Dates [ca. 1898-1930]
  • Physical description
    • ca. 100 linear ft. of drawings, etc.
    • ca. 30 photographic prints.
  • Access and usage restrictions Advance appointment required to view materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center (to make an appointment please email us at research@chicagohistory.org).
  • Collection summary Job files for buildings, interior designs, furniture, and decorative arts by Arthur Hercz and firms with which he was associated in Chicago (Ill.), for various clients, primarily in Chicago but also in other locations. Files often contain drawings, designs, other plans, etc. Work by his son, Arthur R. Hercz, also is represented in the collection. German American individuals, organizations, churches, and other institutions often commissioned Hercz to design major works. Mansions he designed in Chicago for Francis Dewes and August Dewes, leaders in the brewery industry, established his reputation. They became landmarks: the Francis Dewes mansion at 503 W. Wrightwood and the August Dewes home at 509 W. Wrightwood. He also completed interior designs for Chicago's Hotel LaSalle and the Steuben Club.
  • Finding Aids Note Description sheets filed by job number are available at Chicago History Museum, Research Center.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Arthur Hercz was born in Hungary; educated at Vienna's Academy of Fine Arts; came to Chicago to work on the German exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition; joined Adolph Cudell to form Cudell & Hercz; changed spelling of his name in 1898 when he became an American citizen; joined Louis Guenzel to form Guenzel & Hercz in 1898; served as architectural director for William Baumgarten and Co. in New York ca. 1903-1909; became a partner in Pooley-Hercz Co. (Chicago, Ill.) ca. 1909; organized Arthur Hercz Studios in 1916.
  • Acquisition information Gift of Arthur R. Hercz (1982.0291).
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Arthur Hercz papers (including much material about German American and patriotic pageants designed by Hercz) and a small photograph collection by his son, Arthur R. Hercz.
  • Names
    • Hercz, Arthur, 1866-1941 Archives.
    • Hercz, Arthur R.
    • Dewes, August, d. 1937 Homes and haunts Illinois Chicago.
    • Dewes, Francis J., d. 1921 Homes and haunts Illinois Chicago.
    • Arthur Hercz Studios (Chicago, Ill.) Archives.
    • Cudell & Hercz (Chicago, Ill.) Archives.
    • Pooley-Hercz (Chicago, Ill.) Archives.
    • Pooley Studios (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Pooley Furniture Company (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Steuben Club of Chicago.
    • LaSalle Hotel (Chicago, Ill.)
    • August Dewes House (Chicago, Ill.)
    • 509 West Wrightwood Avenue (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Francis J. Dewes House (Chicago, Ill.)
    • 503 West Wrightwood Avenue (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Francis J. Dewes House (Chicago, Ill.)
    • 503 West Wrightwood Avenue (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Hercz, Arthur R.
    • Arthur Hercz Studios (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Cudell & Hercz (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Pooley-Hercz (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Pooley Studios (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Pooley Furniture Company (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Subjects
    • Buildings Illinois Chicago 19th century.
    • Buildings Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Buildings United States 20th century.
    • Architectural firms Illinois Chicago 19th century.
    • Architectural firms Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Furniture designers Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • German Americans Illinois Chicago.
    • Interior decoration Illinois Chicago.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Buildings, structures, etc. 19th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Buildings, structures, etc. 20th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Intellectual life 20th century.
  • Genre
    • Architectural drawings. aat
    • Architectural photographs. gmgpc
    • Blueprints. aat
    • Progress photographs. gmgpc
    • Gelatin silver prints. gmgpc
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.