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Male, US, born 1881-05-14, died 1962-02-21

Associated with the firm network

Allison and Allison, Architects


Professional History

Résumé

Draftsman, possibly Allison and Topp, Architects, Pittsburgh, PA. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1902, p. 150.)

Partner, Allison and [James E.] Allison, Architects, Pittsburgh, PA, c. 1906-1909. The new partnership of Allison and Allison formed sometime between 1904 and 1906. It continued leasing an office in the Westinghouse Building between 1906 and 1908. (See Pittsburgh, PA, City Directory, 1906, p. 2078 and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1908, p. 1971.) Later projects completed in Pennsylvania included: Riverview United Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA, (1907) and the Clarion University, J. George Becht Hall, Clarion, PA, (1907).

The Allisons reestablished their parternship in Los Angeles, CA, in 1910.

On 06/18/1918, David Allison applied for a US Passport to travel in England and France to do "executive work" with the Red Cross. He was to travel abroad on 06/22/1918. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 537; Volume #: Roll 0537 - Certificates: 22500-22749, 18 Jun 1918-20 Jun 1918, accessed 04/05/2018.) He returned from Europe on 03/12/1919 aboard the S.S. Baltic from Liverpool, England.

Partner, Allison and [James E.] Allison, Architects, Los Angeles, CA, 1910-1942. In 1942, the last year of their partnership, the Allisons maintained an office in Room #420 of the Edison Building in Los Angeles. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of California; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975; Record Group Number: 147, accessed 04/05/2018.)

Professional Activities

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA).

President, AIA, Southern California Chapter, 1925 (elected 12/1924);

Professional Awards

Fellow, American Institute of Architects (FAIA), 1926.

Education

College

B.Arch., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 1904, and

Coursework, École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, Paris, France.

Personal

Relocation

Born in Hookstown, PA, David Allison lived for his first 29 years in that state. In 1900, David lived with his parents and six siblings at 18 Garrison Street in Allegheny, PA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Allegheny Ward 2, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Page: 13; Enumeration District: 0020, accessed 04/05/2018.) Two years later, the Allisons, David included, lived at 31 Clifton Avenue in Allegheny. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1902, p. 150.) David continued to live with his parents at 3654 Perrysville Avenue in Allegheny from at least 1907 until 1909. In 1909, James also resided at this address. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1907, p. 117 and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1909, p. 113.) In 04/1910, Margaret, David and "Jasper" (apparently James), remained at 3654 Perrysville Avenue. In this year, the family also had a servant, Anna Metz (born c. 1890 in Bohemia). She may have been hired to watch over James's nine-year-old daughter, Elizabeth N. Allison, (born c. 1901 in PA).

On his return from Europe in 1919, Allison indicated that he resided at the University Club in Los Angeles, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1919; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 2631; Line: 4; Page Number: 19, accessed 04/05/2018.)

In 1930, David and Elizabeth Allison resided at 2428 4th Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. They paid $90 per month in rent for their residence.
(See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1930; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0240, accessed 04/05/2018.)

On 04/27/1942, David Allison lived at 300 Saint Pierre Road in Los Angeles, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of California; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975; Record Group Number: 147, accessed 04/05/2018.)

David and Elizabeth Allison were listed in the La Jolla, California, City Directory, 1959, as living at 8462 El Paseo Grande in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, CA. (See La Jolla, California, City Directory, 1959, p. 8.)

David Clark Allison died in Los Angeles County, CA, at the age of 80. He was laid to rest in Valhalla Memorial Park, North Hollywood, CA.

Parents

His parents were George A. Allison (1844-1925), a carpenter, and Sarah C. Nesbit Allison (1847-1910), who managed the large household. They married c. 1868. Sarah had had ten children during her lifetime, seven of whom were alive in 1900, according to the US Census of that year.George A. Allison was a Civil War veteran, a member of Company D of the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He died of pneumonia in the South Side Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, on 03/24/1925. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1965; Certificate Number Range: 021001-024000, accesssed 04/30/2019.)

His siblings included James Edward Allison (1870-1955), Alexander B. Allison (born c. 02/1871 in PA), Margaret F. Allison (born 08/1873 in PA), Sue M. Allison (born c. 12/1874 in PA), Della May Allison Ridgley (born c. 05/1877 in-d. 1908), and Louise E. Allison (born c. 07/1883 in PA). According to the 1900 US census, the following children still lived at home in Allegheny, PA: Alexander worked as a teacher, Margaret, a dressmaker, Sue, a stenographer, Della, a teacher, David an architectural draftsman, and Louise, a student. David worked as a business partner with James in both Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.

Spouse

He married Mary Elizabeth Knapp (b. 12/14/1890 in NY-d. 1977), c. 1924. A note in the Architect and Engineer reported: “Mr. D.C. Allison of the architectural firm of Allison & Allison, and Mary Elizabeth Knapp were married on Monday, July 23. The ceremony was performed at the church of the Angels.” (See “Personal,” Architect and Engineer, vol. 74, no. 2, 08/1923, p. 110.)

Mary's father was a physician, John Beach Knapp (1851-1916 or 1918), who was born in Hatfield, MA. He passed away in Brooklyn, NY.

Mary E. Knapp applied for a US passport for travel to the British Isles, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy on 05/22/1922. She intended to travel beginning on 07/01/1922 from the Port of New York. According to this passport form, she had not resided outside the US in 1922.

Children

He and Mary had a son, David Nesbit Allison (1930-2000). She was 38 when David was born,

Biographical Notes

At age 26, David Clark Allison stood 6-feet, 2-inches tall, had a medium mouth, oval chin, high forehead, oval face and regular nose. He had blue eyes and auburn hair, and a fair complexion. He applied for a US Passport on 05/12/1908 to travel for less than two years abroad. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 60; Volume #: Roll 0060 - Certificates: 51830-52784, 06 May 1908-13 May 1908, accessed 04/05/2018.)

In 1918, he sought another US passport to enable him to travel to England and France to perform "executive work for the Red Cross." He was to leave on board the French Line from New York on 06/22/1918. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 537; Volume #: Roll 0537 - Certificates: 22500-22749, 18 Jun 1918-20 Jun 1918, accessed 04/29/2019.) He returned from Liverpool, England, to New York, NY, between 03/12/1919 and 03/22/1919 aboard the White Star Liner R.M.S. Baltic. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1919; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 2631; Line: 4; Page Number: 19, accessed 05/13/2019.)

D.C. Allison was listed in the 25th Anniverary Directory of the University Club, published in 1926.

David and Mary Allison arrived in Liverpool, England, 05/07/1955, from New York aboard the Cunard liner R.M.S. Media (launched 12/14/1947). According to the ship's manifest, they intended to stay two months. They stayed initially at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and successors: Inwards Passenger Lists.; Class: BT26; Piece: 1333; Item: 13, accessed 04/05/2018.)

SSN: 951-48-3464.



Associated Locations

PCAD id: 355


NameDateCityState
13th Church of Christ, Scientist, Los Angeles, CA1930Los AngelesCA
1st Baptist Church #4, MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, CA1927Los AngelesCA
1st Congregational Church #5, Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, CA1930-1932Los AngelesCA
1st Unitarian Church #2, Los Angeles, CA1926-1928Los AngelesCA
Bank of Van Nuys Building, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CALos AngelesCA
Burbank Unified School District, Burbank High School #2, Burbank, CABurbankCA
Calexico Civic Center Project, Calexico, CACalexicoCA
Calexico Union High School, Calexico, CACalexicoCA
California State Normal School, Fresno, Science Building, Fresno, CA1928FresnoCA
California State Normal School, Vermont Avenue Campus, Administration Building, Central Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA1918Los AngelesCA
California State Normal School, Vermont Avenue Campus, Central Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA1912-1920Los AngelesCA
City of Calexico, Public Library, Carnegie Library, Calexico, CA1919CalexicoCA
City of Los Angeles, Public Library (LAPL), Irving, Washington, Branch #1, Los Angeles, CA1926Los AngelesCA
Colton High School, Colton, CAColtonCA
Congregation B'nai B'rith Temple #3, Los Angeles, CA1929Los AngelesCA
Davis Community Church, Davis, CA1926DavisCA
Fowler Unified School District, Fowler Unified High School #1, Fowler, CA1920-1921FowlerCA
Friday Morning Club Building #2, Downtown, Los Angeles, CA1923-1924Los AngelesCA
Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Fullerton High School Project, Fullerton, CA1920FullertonCA
Janss Investment Company Building, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA1929Los AngelesCA
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), East 7th Street School, Los Angeles, CA1920-1921Los AngelesCA
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Van Nuys High School, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA1922Los AngelesCA
Merced Union High School District, Merced Union High School, Merced, CAMercedCA
Monrovia Unified School District, Polytechnic High School and Manual Arts Building, Monrovia, CA1910MonroviaCA
Palo Alto Unified School District, Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA1917-1918Palo AltoCA
Santa Monica School District, Santa Monica High School #2, Santa Monica, CA1920Santa MonicaCA
Santa Monica School District, Santa Monica High School, Memorial Greek Theatre, Santa Monica, CA1920-1921Santa MonicaCA
Southern California Edison Office Building #2, Downtown, Los Angeles, CA1929-1930Los AngelesCA
Southern Seas Beach Club, Newport Beach, CA1926Newport BeachCA
Southwest Museum, Tunnel Entrance, Los Angeles, CALos AngelesCA
United States Government, Federal Office Building, Merced, CA1933MercedCA
United States Government, Postal Service (USPS), Main Post Office, Beverly Hills, CA1932-1933Beverly HillsCA
United States Government, Postal Service (USPS), Post Office, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA1937Los AngelesCA
University Club #3, Downtown, Los Angeles, CA 1920-1922Los AngelesCA
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Administration Building #1, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA1926Los AngelesCA
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Administration Building #2, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA1937Los AngelesCA
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Campus Plan #1, Westwood, Los Angeles, CALos AngelesCA
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Kerckhoff Hall, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA1931Los AngelesCA
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Physics Building, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA1928-1929Los AngelesCA
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Women's Gymnasium, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA1932Los AngelesCA
Western Pacific Building, Downtown, Los Angeles, CA1925Los AngelesCA
Wilshire Boulevard Congregational Church Project, Los Angeles, CA1922-1925Los AngelesCA
Wilshire United Methodist Church, Los Angeles, CA1924Los AngelesCA
Women's Athletic Club, Los Angeles, CA1924Los AngelesCA
"Polytechnic High School and Manual Arts Building, Monrovia, Cal.", American Architect, 106 part 1: 2012, np, 07/15/1914. "Merced Union High School, Merced, Cal. ", American Architect and Building News, 113: 2196, 47-48, 1918-01-23. "Building News: California", American Architect and Building News, CII: 1950, 8, 1913-05-07. American Architects Directory 1962, Second edition: 893, 1962. Breeze, Carla, American Art Deco Architecture and Regionalism, 246-249, 2003. Gruber, Samuel D., American Synagogues A Century of Architecture and Jewish Community, 60-67, 2003. "Santa Monica Greek Theatre", Architect & Engineer, 37, 8/1924. "Janss Company plans", Architect & Engineer, 30, 31, 33, 8/1930. "University Club, Los Angeles", Architect and Engineer, 72: 1, 46-85, 1923-01. "University Club of Los Angeles", Architectural Digest, 5, 1923. "University Club", Architectural Digest, 4-8, 45, 65, 1923. "University of California at Los Angeles, Kerckhoff Hall, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA", Architectural Digest, 8: 2, 26-35, 1932-1933. "First Unitarian Church #2, Los Angeles", Architectural Digest, 6: 4, 34-35, 1928. "State Normal School, Los Angeles, Cal.", Architectural Forum, 26: 66-68, 04/1917. Howard, John Galen, "The College Administration Building", Architectural Forum, XLIV: 6, 406-408, 06/1926. "First Unitarian Church, Los Angeles", Architectural Forum, 395-396, 03/1929. Stokes, Sally Sims., "In a Climate Like Ours: The California Campuses of Allison & Allison", California History:Journal of the California Historical Society, 84: ., 26-65, 69-73, 2007 Fall. "University Club, Los Angeles", California Southland, 8-9, cover, 12/1922. "University Club, Los Angeles, CA", California Southland, 11, 08/1922. Campus and urban architecture oral history transcript George B. Allison, 1974. Concrete in Architecture, 1927. Allison, David C., "The University Club of Los Angeles", Concrete in Architecture, 20-27, 1927. Allison, David C., "The University Club of Los Angeles", Concrete in Architecture, 24-25, 1927. Van Slyck, Abigail A., Free to All: Carnegie Libraries & American Culture 1890-1920, 144-145, 1995. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, "Friday Morning Club Building, 1923-1924", Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 222, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 116, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 106, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 171, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, "Administration Building, 1937", Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 118, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 156, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, "Kerckhoff Hall", Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 117, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, "87. Women's Athletic Club, 1924", Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 236, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 117, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, "First Unitarian Church, 1930", Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 202, 1994. Gebhard, David, Winter, Robert, Los Angeles An Architectural Guide, 117, 1994. "Colton High School Notice", Los Angeles Examiner, pt. IV: 13, 8/13/1922. "First Unitarian Church, Los Angeles", Los Angeles Herald Examiner, 11-14, 11/28/1982. "Activist Unitarian Church faces move, as parish centennial approaches, member seek to ensure its survival", Los Angeles Times, 29, col 1, 05/21/1977. "Bank of Van Nuys Notice", Los Angeles Times, pt. V: 7. "The bids for the Normal Group", Los Angeles Times, part VI: 1, 4/13/1913. "State Normal School, Los Angeles", Los Angeles Times, part V: 1, 10/18/1914. "State Normal School rapidly taking shape", Los Angeles Times, part VI: 1, "Library Expanse Shows City Cultural Growth", Los Angeles Times, E1, 11/7/1926. "Present appearance of magnificent State Normal School", Los Angeles Times, Part V: 1, 2/15/1914. "Calexico Union High School Plans", Los Angeles Times, part V: 1, 3/8/1914. "Van Nuys High School Plans", Los Angeles Times, part VI: 1, 3/22/1914. "Allison & Allison prepare plans for the physics building at UCLA", Los Angeles Times, part II: 9, 2/3/1928. "Allison & Allison prepare plans for a science building at the Fresno State Normal School", Los Angeles Times, part V: 2, 2/12/1928. "Janss Building note", Los Angeles Times, 9, 03/17/1939. "Janss concern pioneer firm", Los Angeles Times, 6, 04/12/1925. "Reality office to be opened", Los Angeles Times, 5, 01/06/1929. "Burbank High School architects named", Los Angeles Times, part V: 1, 9/11/1921. "Winslow loses Wilshire Congregational Church Commission to Allison and Allison", Los Angeles Times, 7, 03/18/1923. "Split over Church Site Threatens", Los Angeles Times, 10, 12/14/1923. "Notables help in stone laying", Los Angeles Times, A2, 12/22/1924. "Wilshire church to open", Los Angeles Times, A2, 05/23/1925. "Church to be dedicated", Los Angeles Times, B7, 05/24/1925. "A Page Conducted by John Steven", Los Angeles Times, K3, 06/14/1925. "Pastor scored by statement", Los Angeles Times, A1, 07/27/1925. "New home to be occupied", Los Angeles Times, part V: 2, 4/12/1931. "Westwood improvement opens soon", Los Angeles Times, 8, 09/29/1929. Allison, David, "The Club's New Building", Los Angeles Times, 7, 29, 1922-12-31. Allison, David C., "The Club's New Building", Los Angeles Times, 7, 29, 1922-12-31. "Religiously anti-establishment; First Unitarian Church has championed liberal causes for half a centuty", Los Angeles Times, 1, 12/13/1987. "Old University Club Will Be Demolished", Los Angeles Times, 15, 1967-03-26. "Fine School", Los Angeles Times, 3, 02/22/1920. "Allison and Allison provide plans for Fowler Unified High School", Los Angeles Times, 3, 02/22/1920. "Five Projects Announced", Los Angeles Times, 1, 10/24/1926. Bradshaw, Jon , "The Club Game", Los Angeles Times, 13, 08/06/1972. "Theatres of Los Angeles including Hollywood and more.", Marquee, 30: 1, 4-29, 1998. Richards, Susan L., Sims, Sally R., "The California Post Offices of Allison & Allison. ", Prologue: Quarterly of the National Archives, 20: 2, 100-117, 1988 Summer. "Santa Monica Greek Theatre", Santa Monica Outlook, 6, 6/17/1924. Robinson, Alcyon, "Industry and artistry in club home", Southern California Business, 25, 36, 10/1922. "Plans by architects Allison & Allison for open air theater at Santa Monica", Southwest Builder & Contractor, 17, col 2, 12/10/1920. "Burbank High School #2 completion", Southwest Builder & Contractor, 37, 12/21/1922. "Plans for a new building", Southwest Builder & Contractor, 21, col 1, 1/20/1922. "Officers elected by architects'chapter", Southwest Builder & Contractor, 44, 12/12/1924. "State Normal School, Los Angeles, Administration Building", Southwest Builder & Contractor, 6, 1/18/1918. "Open air theater", Southwest Builder & Contractor, 22, 1/7/1921. "California State Normal School #2, Vermont Avenue Campus, Los Angeles notice", Southwest Builder & Contractor, 6, 8, 1/18/1918. "Southern California Chapter AIA Awards 1920", Southwest Builder & Contractor, 11, col 2, 4/16/1920. "Proposed University Club building", Southwest Builder and Contractor, 10, 1920-04-16. Southwest Builder and Contractor, 55, col. 2, 1925-10-02. "Local Chapter of AIA Honors Campus", Southwest Builder and Contractor, 11, col 2, 04/16/1920. Southwest Builder and Contractor, LAPL, 56, col. 2. "Bids Accepted for Fowler High School", Southwest Builder and Contractor, 12, col 3, 02/13/1920. "Fowler High School Plans", Southwest Builder and Contractor, 13, col 3, 05/21/1920. "Fullerton High School Competition Third Place", Southwest Builder and Contractor, 9, 01/02/1920. "Plans for the Normal school buildings", Southwest Contractor and Manufacturer, 16, col 3, 10/19/1912. "New Los Angeles state normal school plans", Southwest Contractor and Manufacturer, 9-15, 2/7/1914. "California State Normal School #2, Los Angeles, plans 1914", Southwest Contractor and Manufacturer, 9-15, 2/7/1914. "Calexico High School group plans", Southwest Contractor and Manufacturer, 18, col 2, 2/7/1914. Morris, Dianne, "Wilshire Boulevard Temple and the Golden Age of Hollywood", The Church and the City: A Conference on the Aesthetic, Architectural, Historic, and Social Impacts and Contributions of Religious Institutions on American Urban Life, University Club of Los Angeles: Founded March 27, 1898: Twenty-fifth Anniversary Year Book, 25: 1924. "Plans for new bank building", Van Nuys News, 1, 10/13/1921. "Organization of new bank; directors, offciers chosen", Van Nuys News, 1, 9/15/1921.