Architect Edmond Jacques Eckel

with the St. Joseph Museums

It's World Architecture Day, and we're highlighting a notable historical figure, architect Edmond Eckel. Shelly Haynes of the St. Joseph Museums presents this local history program.

Edmond Jacques Eckel was born in 1845 in Strasbourg, France.  He studied architecture at L’École des Beaux Arts in Paris, graduating in the late 1860s.  In 1868, Eckel traveled to the United States, staying in New York for a short time before heading west.  In the summer of 1869, Eckel was traveling to Kansas City, but was delayed in St. Joseph due to a bridge being washed out.  While he waited for repairs, Eckel explored the town. After witnessing the city’s post-Civil War economic boom, he decided to stay.  He began working as a draftsman for P.E. Meagher, joining the firm of Stigers & Boettner in 1872. It was during his time at this firm that he designed many of the mansions in St. Joseph, including the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion at 1100 Charles. In 1880, Eckel formed his own architectural firm, soon entering into a partnership with George R. Mann.  This was the first of many partnerships for Eckel. Over the next 65 years, Eckel or his business were responsible for the design of numerous structures, including schools, churches, and government buildings, as well as private homes.  It is estimated that he or his firms are responsible for 75% of the public and private buildings in St. Joseph. His work wasn’t limited to St. Joseph either; examples of his architecture can be found in many parts of the Midwest.  (https://www.stjosephmuseum.org/history-galleries)

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