REFLECTIONS ON MY GRANDFATHER
by
Katherine Applegarth
From a term paper on "California History and Family Participation", University of California, Santa Barbara:
George Adrian Applegarth was born in Oakland, California on October 4, 1875. His parents were John and Henrietta Sanders Applegarth, who had come from England (Yorkshire and Bath respectively) to Canada, then to the United States. A brother, John Herbert, was a year and one half older. John Applegarth and his three brothers took up ranches in the San Joaquin Valley near Hanford, where the boys' childhood and all later vacations were spent, resulting in ranch skills and a great love of nature. The family came to Oakland for schooling, and it was here that a close association with Jack London brought about many adventures. Geogre's cousin, Mabel Applegarth,greatly influenced Jack London's life by introducing him to the refinement and culture of English family living.
From Oakland High School George went to work as a draughtsman for his uncle, George Sanders, of the well-known architectural firm of Wright and Sanders. With the encouragement of Bernard Maybeck, with whom he also studied, George then departed for the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. After gruelling competetive examinations he was accepted in the school, where he remained nearly six years as a member of the La Loux Atelier. He received his dipolma in April, 1906, just after the San Francisco earthquake and fire; then promptly returned to his native area to help rebuild his beloved city. There he formed a partnership with Kenneth MacDonald which lasted for six years, after which he practiced alone.
The many vacant properties and eager re-builders provided an ideal situation for George's designing ability.
In 1913 while working on the Clift Hotel, George Applegarth married Gwendolyn Powers, and then built his own home on Vallejo Street. Here their four children were raised, and in this hospitable home he lived until his death in 1972 at the age if 96 years. He was a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and past president of the San Frncisco chapter.When he applied for his archetictual license in the last year of his life, the Executive Secretary of the Board of Examiners named his "Architect Emeritus of California". He was given an Award of Merit by Mayor Joseph Alioto in recognition of outstanding service to the people of San Francisco.
On the day of the great earthquake in San Francisco, April 18, 1906, young George Applegarth was in New York working on a graduate project in architecture during an interlude from the Ecole des Beaux Arts. When news of the disaster reached him he realized that it was imperative for him to secure his diploma and return to his native city to aid in its reconstructlion. So off he went to Paris, where he had been a member of the La Loux Atelier since 1901.
One of Grandpa Appie's ("Gappy" to us) most remarkable characteristics was his clever wit by which he consistently managed to get himself through the most desperate situations. A classic example that typifies both his determination and creative wit is his own story of how he "stowed away" on the ship returning to France to get his diploma.
The SS Kaiser William der Grosse was ready to sail, but there were no more reservations available. Determined to sail with that early ship, the young student raced down to dock-side dressed in the approved French student garb--black suit, flowing tie, wide-brimmed hat, and sporting a trim goatee with a waxed moustche above. He carried with him a small black bag. Almost as if he had planned it, a gold-braided ship's officer saluted him at the gang plank and hailed, "Hurry back, doctor!", interpreting his appearance as that of the medical profession. Without hesitation he hopped on board, masquerading for a short time before guickly going into hiding until the ship's pilot launch had parted. He only emerged from his hiding place to help himself to the beef tea that was being passed around on the upper deck. But when hunger became unbearable he went to the purser to bargain for a place to call his own. The purser was apoplectic with rage to find a stowaway on board and refused the generous gratuity offered by the determined young man, saying, "you can't be on board if you don't have a ticket". George began to see himself peeling potatoes or washing dishes, and paced the deck unhappily. Suddenly he was summoned to the purser's office where he was greeted with the exclamation, "He didn't come". With that he put down his previously-rejected payment, and was escorted to a handsome room that a San Francisco man had abandoned on account of the earthquake. And so it was in these handsome quarters that George laid the plans for the thesis he would present at the Beaux Arts School of Architecture.
He chose a design for an American co-ed gymnasium because he knew that as well as being an interesting study, it was so foreign to French thinking that the examiners would accept it by merit of its ingenuity alone. His plans were laid out on large sheets of wrapping paper. (...) Shortly thereafter he was awarded his precious diploma, as well as several medals for his accomplishments. He began to plan a way to return home.
As it was typical of the students at the Beaux Arts to find fun in every situation, at their farewell dinner in Paris they drank too much cheap wine, and "Gappy" broke some ribs while falling over a stool. The search for a doctor began, and once again "Gappy's" wit was displayed in telling the story. Several French doctors were approached on the Left Bank of Paris, all of whom wanted to "bleed him" with leeches or knives to remove the "bad blood". George was horrified, but lucklily met a friend who took him to an American doctor, who was able to tape his wounds. Anxious to be on his way, he was bound with heavy adhesive, and was soon able to leave the doctor's office, lifting his bags with ease for a quick trip to Spain. Then quickly home to San Francisco.
George Applegarth's family had already made an impressive contribution to the city through his uncle George Sanders' design of the Mark Hopkins residence, Lane Hospital, and many important buildings. The firm of Wright and Sanders had employed George as a draughtsman for several years before his enrollment at the Beaux Arts. During this time George organized a group of young architects to meet weekly in a roofs-top studio of the Mark Hopkins home for tutoring with Bernard Maybeck.
On George's arrival in San Francisco, the young architects, MacDonald and Applegarth, rented the top floor of the fire-gutted Claus-Spreckels Building (the old Call Building) at Third and Market Streets on a 10 year lease with the proviso that no rent would be paid until the elevators were running again. For four months architects and draughtsmen walked the 18 floors to their offices in the dome of what was then the highest building in San Francisco. Architectural practice in San Francisco was greatly aided by the strategic office location in the downtown Spreckels Building. With powerfull field glasses George could survey rising construction going on in the city. Porthole windows in the dome were ideal observation points. He remarked once, "We never went downstairs for coffee breaks, but it was high enough so that I could look all over the city and watch the progress of any building with binoculars. Edward Planer, retired professor of History, Merrit College and special writer for the Oakland Tribune wrote: "...Frequently his contractors would receive telephone calls in their field offices from the architect's headquarters urging them to consult their specifications before going ahead, to look sharply at the way tile was being laid on the building's facade, or to check on this cross beam or on the window frame being installed. The contractors and their foremen were puzzled as to how the young architect knew what was transpiring in such detail on their projects, and yet he wasn't at the job site at the moment. They had but to lift their eyes upward to the 18th floor of the Call Building, and if their vision was acute enough they would descry architect Applegarth standing in the window surveying the scene with a powerfull field glass in hand, and noting every detail going on aroung him!" (Edward T. Planer, Oakland Tribune, May 5, 1968)
And so it was that George Applegarth began his life-long career of designing in the city he loved. From his numerous works several are especially interesting, and merit special attention.
A partial list of buildings is attached.
In early 1911 "Gappy" built the 1144 Pine Street home for the dshing playboy, Robert Glilbert Hanford. While reminiscing one day "Gappy" recalled, "Hanford was a millionaire -- on paper -- and he gave me only one instruction. 'George, just remember that I love pretty girls and flowers'." Ironically, this house later become the bedquarters of the notorious Sally Stanford.
The family of Adolph Spreckels commissioned George Applegarth for the design of several landmark buildings. Upon completion of the two Spreckels office buildings, "Gappy" went on to draw plans for the spacious Washington Street mansion that came to be Adolph and Alma Spreckels' home in 1913. The style of this structure serves a monument to the classical French Renaissance influence dear to the Spreckels family.
My grandfather was once quoted as remarking, "I feel every building should be studied for beauty and not be merely functional. It should be a beautiful thing, like a chord on a piano." In my opinion, this beauty is most reverently displayed in his distinguished creation of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park.
The idea to build a memorial to France's participation in World War 1 came from Alma deBrettville Spreckels during the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco. It was there that she and her husband first admired the beauty of the replica of the Palais de la Legion d'Honneur in Paris. Its history dates back to when it was the 18th century French residence of Prince Salem-Kirbourg, later to become Napoleon's headquarters for the French Legion in 1806. Adolph Spreckels obtained permission for its replication, and after much research for the best location, the Lincoln Park hilltop was chosen. George Applegarth was selected to be the architect, and he began by visiting all the best museums in the United States, interviewing curators and engineers to find out the most advanced solutions to museum problems. The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is entirely the original design of George Applegarth, except for the court, which was constructed as an exact duplcation of the Legion d'Honner in Paris. Architect Henri Gluillaum of Paris was named consulting architect, and was invaluable in providing drawings and models of the court to insure true reproduction of this portion of the structure. The distinguished building was presented to the city of San Francisco on Armistice Day, 1924. An inscription, "George Applegarth Architect", is now engraved on the arch on the entrance to the Court of the Palace of the Legion of Honor, the gift of Alma Spreckels on the occasion of the recent 50th Anniversary celebration.
The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is not only a commerative monument, but also a a life-long representation and reminder of the endeared work, artistic skill and refined style characteristic of the way "Gappy" built not only his buildings but his beautiful life as well. His creations reflect the same purposefulness that served to guide him throughout his years. He built his home, and in it created a family. Whether at work or about his home he exercised the same qualities of logical thought, precision, and wholehearted personal involvement in his projects. He labored over details, makimg sure he had considered everything involved before displaying a finished product. It was just this sort of pride that gave personality and character to his unique life and to his workmanship. It was this appreciation for architecture that made him a distinguished contributor to the unigue culture of San Francisco. He was an artist above all, and in an artist's style he lived his life; coloring it with love, and with love for all that it enabled him to create.
Among the important buildings credited to George Adrian Applegarth are:
California Palace fo the Legion of Honor
Spreckels' Residence on Washington Street
Davis Schonwasser Building, Grant Avenue & Sutter Street
Tillman & Bendel Building, Pine & Davis Streets
Forrest Building, Market Street, bet. 7th & 8th
The Glass House (Henry Young), north side of Sutter St., bet. Grant
Avenue & Kearny St.
Dunn Invesment Co., Stockton & Ellis Sts.
Bella Vista Apts. (George Fish), Pine & Taylor
Phoenix Building, Sutter & Grant Ave.
Lurline Baths (Spreckels), Bush & Larkin Sts.
Marquis Hotel (Jos. D. Grant), Geary & Mason Sts.
Cluett-Peabody Building (MacDonough Estate), Howard Court
& Howard St.
Adler Sanitorium (A.Adler), (Notre Dame Hospital) Later addition,
Dante (Italian Benificial Society), Vallejo Street
Gallois Building, Sutter & Grant
Sachs Building (Sanford Sachs). Union Square near Grant
Belden Building (Belden Estate), Market & 2nd Sts.
2 Commercia Buildings for A.B.Spreckels, Oceanic & No.2 PIne
Sudden Residence, 3730 Washington St.
Eastern Outfitting Building, Market St.,
Summer & Kaufman Building, Market St.,
Bank of Concord, Concord, CA
Frederick Residence (Mayor Alioto later), Presidia Terrace
Heineman Building, 130 Bush St.
Moraga town layout
Hanfor Residence, Pine St.
Dr.Lewis Allen Residence, Geary St., near Taylor
Clift Hotel (Frederick Clift), Geary & Taylor
Fielding Hotel
Tanforan Race Track clubhouse
Zabriskie Residence, Jackson St.
Newman Residence, #1 Maple St.
McCreery Building
Fremont Building
Callison Memoria Hospital remodeling
Oroville Hotal, Oroville, CA
Applegarth Residence, 2775 Vallejo St.
Hombolt National Bank, Eureka
Downtown Center Garage (Callison), O'Farrell & Mason Sts.
Bon March' Garage, Seattle, WA
Buildings for Cebrian family
Residence for Ernest Baer, 2800 Block, Vallejo St.
Residence for Lawrence 2785 Vallejo St.
Residence, 201 Locust St.
Apartment house, #1-11, 3rd Ave.
Town of Clyde, Contra Costa Co.
Hotel St. Andrew (Leon F.Goodman), 434 Post St., presently John
Howell Books