Résumé

Born in Ireland, Dominic Peter Benson worked as a building contractor, building superintendent and architect throughout his life, mostly in the first role. He achieved early success working in San Diego, CA, as an architect, although he may have become financially over-extended there due to investments in real estate. He moved to Salt Lake City, UT and then to San Francisco, where he worked primarily as a builder.

Partner, Benson and [Anton] Reif, Architect and Contractor, San Diego, CA, c. 1890. (See Monteith's Directory of San Diego and Vicinity for 1889-1890, p. 60. This city directory called him "D.P. Benson.") While he worked in San Diego, a short article in the San Francisco Examiner in 1887 touted his rapid success in San Diego: “Few architects in San Diego have met with any more pronounced success in their line than D.P. Benson. He is a native of New York State and his successful professional career covers a period of fifteen years. Since coming to San Diego, about two years ago, his business has increased with great rapidity, and he now has one of the most patronized and most popular offices in his line in the city. Among the many buildings which owe the excellence and beauty of their design to Mr. Benson, may be mentioned the charming residence of Dr. R.M. Powers, corner Ninth and A streets, erected at a cost of about $13,000; the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph, costing $22,000; the beautiful residence of Dr. C.M. Johnson, on Florence Heights, costing $12,000; the Parker House, on Twelfth street, near A, costing $8,000; and many other of the most striking blocks and residences in the city, including a large number of cottages. He also acts as general superintendent for the construction of any class of architectural work, making a specialty of business blocks and fine residences. He is also a member of the firm C.W. Newhall & Co., real estate agents and brokers.” (See “D.P. Benson, Architect.” San Francisco Examiner, 12/18/1887, p. 13.)

In 1889, Benson served as one of two expert inspectors who examined the workmanship of the San Diego School District's Sherman Street Schoolhouse and B Street Schoolhouse. (See "Those School Houses," San Diego Sun, 12/02/1889, p. 5.) The San Diego Sun reported on 11/23/1889: “J.D. Schuyler and D.P. Benson of the firm (of Benson & Reiff [sic], architects), have been appointed as arbitrators on the Sherman and B-street school buildings and will commence their work on Monday.” (See Arbitrator Appointed,” San Diego Sun, 11/23/1889, p. 8.)

Benson and Reiff maintained good relations with the Reid Brothers, architects of San Diego, who were responsible for the design of the city's Hotel del Coronado. The San Diego Sun said this in its issue of 01/27/1890: “The Messrs. Reed [sic] Bros., architects, have gone East in connection with the plans of the new building that will shortly be erected here, and during their absence, D.P. Benson, of the firm of Benson & Reiff [sic], has charge of their buildings now in course of erection.” (See “City and County, San Diego Sun, 01/27/1890, p. 5.)

Partner, Benson and Reif, Architect and Contractor, Salt Lake City, UT, c. 1891. Ironically, Benson and Reif were on the other end of an inquiry into shoddy building workmanship in Salt Lake City. Experts summoned by local government condemned the work by Benson and Reif on an Infirmary Building. The Salt Lake Herald reported in 09/1891: “Gentlemen—Your building committee for the infirmary building beg leave to report on the claim of the contractor referred to us, as follows: That the foundation of said building is nearly finished, the joists of the first floor put in place and the brick wall on the east side and the ends of said building begun; that we have appointed J.C. Dowling, inspector of works and in company with him and Mr. J.H. Bowman as expert, have made a careful examination of the material used and work thus far performed in the erection of said building, and find as follows. That in the concrete work Utah, instead of Portland, cement has been used, and that evidently in small quantities as the concrete is still soft and has no appearance of solidifying. To determine this more fully we had the soil removed in several places along the walls so as to expose the concrete, and after careful examination have arrived at the conclusion that the foundation is entirely insufficient to support the weight of the building. This is further shown by the fact that the wall at both the southeast and northeast corners of the building is cracking. At the northeast corner of the building the rockwork projects over the concrete. The brickwork indicates poor workmanship, and many of the brick [sic] in the wall and upon the ground are of inferior quality. In our judgement the contract for the erection of the building has not been reasonably complied with, and that the architect has been derelict in allowing such work to go one without reporting to the committee of the court. In accordance with the views of the inspector and expert, we recommend as follows: That the contractor be required to take down the entire part so far constructed, and clear away the debris and commence anew the erection of said building, and proceed until the same shall have been earned in compliance with said contract. Respectfully submit, John Butter, G.W. Bartch, Committee.”

This 1891 newspaper report continued: “Reports were also received from J.C. Dowlin, inspector, and J.H. Bowman, expert. They both condemned the workmanship as well as material used. Mr. D.P. Benson, the contract, appeared in his own behalf and stated that while the cement used was not according to the specifications, it had been put down by the order of the architect. As a workman, he condemned the whole job in terms as strong as the committee used, and signified his willingness to take down the foundation and rebuild it to the specification. A. Reif, the architect, was summoned to appear before the court. He admitted that the work was imperfect and not according to the specifications. The reports of the committee and of J.C. Dowlin and J.H. Bowman were unanimously adopted.” (See “The Infirmary Building,” Salt Lake Herald, 09/16/1891, p. 6.)

The Salt Lake City Tribune published a notice on 09/16/1891 saying: "An order from D.P. Benson to pay all money due for construction of addition to the County Infirmary through his bondsmen, was ordered filed. The Court adjourned for one week." (See "Order Received," Salt Lake Tribune, 09/16/1891, p. 11.)

In 10/1891, the Salt Lake Tribune indicated that county officials had fired Benson: “Cahoon and Hutter were appointed to wait upon Dominick P. Benson, and report to the court at 2:30. The committee to wait on D.P. Benson reported that Mr. Benson offered to call it square for an amount approximately $4200; but will had a proposition to the Clerk today. Mr. Benson was promptly fired as contractor for the building and his contract canceled, as they claim he has not carried it out.” (See “Other Proceedings,” Salt Lake Tribune, 10/13/1891, p. 8.)

Professional Activities

While living in San Diego, Benson became active in buying and selling real estate. A.R. Miller sold lots 9 to 12, block 63, Middletown Addition for $900 in 01/1888. (See “Real Estate Transactions,” The Weekly Sun, 01/05/1888, p. 1.)

Benson was running into financial problems by 09/1889. At that time, a sheriff's intended to sell property owned by D.P. Benson for failure to pay for real estate in San Diego's Horton's Addition and Middletown Addition. The plaintiff in this case was C.A. Buss, who won the right to auction the property. (See "Constable's Sale," 09/05/1889, p. 6.) Financial problems may have convinced Benson to take on a business partner, Anton Reif, by 09/23/1889, and may have contributed to his leaving San Diego for Salt Lake City, UT, in 1890.

Benson appears to have continued to own land in San Diego in 1896. (See "Sheriff's Sale," Weekly San Diegan-Sun, 05/14/1896, p. 6.)

Relocation

According to a 1887 article in the San Francisco Examiner, D.P. Benson was born in NY State and had fifteen years experience in the building trades at that time. This could have meant that he was born sometime between 1850 to 1855, or perhaps even earlier, depending on when he entered the field of architecture and/or the building trades. This article indicated that he moved to San Diego in about 1885. (See “D.P. Benson, Architect.” San Francisco Examiner, 12/18/1887, p. 13.)

In 1887, Benson resided at 1240 Columbia Street in San Diego. (See Maxwell's Directory of San Diego City and County, 1887-1888, p. 67.)

D.P. Benson of San Diego was recorded as arriving as a visitor at San Francisco’s Grand Hotel on 05/11/1889. (See “Hotel Arrivals,” San Francisco Examiner, 05/11/1889, p. 8.) The San Francisco Chronicle reported on 05/11/1889: “D.P. Benson, a prominent architect of San Diego, is in town and stopping at one of our leading hotels.” (See “Personal Notes,” San Francisco Chronicle, 05/11/1899, p. 6.) He was listed as an outgoing passenger leaving Eureka, CA, on the steamship Pomona on 05/23/1889. (See "Passenger List," Weekly Humboldt Times, 09/23/1889, p. 3.) Benson made this journey to secure lumber from the Eureka Lumber Manufacturing Company for two new buildings in San Diego. Humboldt County's Ferndale Enterprise newspaper announced on 06/21/1889: “Among the people from abroad—now sojourning in Eureka is D.P. Benson, supervising architect of the new court house and the public school building at San Diego. Mr. Benson tells us that he has closed a contract with the Eureka Lumber Manufacturing Company for a full outfit of the mill work required in the construction of the above mentioned buildings, as well as the furniture and fixtures of the court and recorder’s rooms in the new court house building. It is an important order, and comes to our manufacturing company in good time. —Standard.” (See “County News,” Ferndale Enterprise, vol. XII, no. 25, 06/21/1889, p. 1.)

The San Diego Sun informed its readers on 04/23/1890 that Benson was leaving the city for a trip to northern CA and UT: “D.P. Benson, who has been one of the leading architects here for the past four years, leaves this afternoon for a three months’ visit to the northern part of this State, and will spend some of his time in Salt Lake City. During his residence here, Mr. Benson has been eminently successful in his profession, enjoys the confidence of all who have had dealings with him, and leaves a host of friends, who will welcome his return.” (See “Personal Notes,” San Diego Sun, 04/23/1890, p. 5.)

After about five years in San Diego, Benson and his family relocated to Salt Lake City, UT. A note in the Salt Lake Tribune stated: “The family of D.P. Benson, the contractor, arrived in this city yesterday from San Diego, California, and will in future reside in Salt Lake. Mr. Benson is the gentleman who erected Engine House No. 2.” (See “Personal Mention,” Salt Lake Tribune, 10/31/1890, p. 8.) Benson continued to live in Salt Lake City between 1890 and 1895.

He dwelled at 12 Washington Avenue in San Francisco in 1910.

Benson died in San Francisco, CA, on 10/08/1927.

Biographical Notes

Maxwell's Directory of San Diego City and County, 1887-1888, (p. 67) referred to the contractor and architect as "D.P. Benson." Other sources referred to him as "D.B. Benson." Prior to 04/10/2025, this database used the name "D.B." in error, and replaced it with "D.P."

Benson ran for alderman in San Diego’s 3rd Ward in 04/1889. He came in fourth out of four candidates. (See “The Official Count,” The Weekly Sun, 04/11/1889, p. 4.)

In 1910, Benson registered to vote as a Republican.