Résumé

Architect, Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, Architects, Boston, MA, c. 1890. Alden worked in Palo Alto, CA, on the design of Stanford University for the firm, along with architect Charles A. Coolidge (1858-1936).

Member, State of MA, National Guard, 1891-1900.

Principal, Charles H. Alden, Architect, Boston, MA. In 1902, Charles H. Alden, Jr., of Boston joined the architectural competition for a Washington, DC, municipal hospital. The Washington, DC, Evening Star included his name in a list of over fifty firms from all over the US. (See "Municipal Hospital," Washington, DC, Evening Star, 02/19/1902, p. 11.)

Architect, Howard and Galloway, Architect, San Francisco, CA, c. 1907-1909. He worked on the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) with San Francisco architectural and engineering firm of Howard and Galloway.

Principal, Charles Henry Alden, Architect, Seattle, WA, 1909-1951. In 1913, Alden had an office in Room #607 of Crary Building in Seattle. (See "Alden, Charles Henry," Who's Who on the Pacific Coast: A Biographical Compilation of Notable Living Contemporaries West of the Rocky Mountains, Franklin Harper, ed., [Los Angeles: Harper Publishing Company, 1913], p. 12.)

Architect, Pan Pacific International Exposition (PPIE), Buildings and Grounds Commission, San Francisco, CA, 1913-1915; for the P.P.I.E., Alden first was in charge of specifications and then the Architectural Department's Division of Works; while working on the PPIE, Alden remained headquartered in Seattle.

In 1919, Alden served as a Captain in the US Army Engineers (HQRS ENGRS B S 1) landing in Brest, France, 08/07/1919. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 69, accessed 07/07/2022.) While in the Army during World War I, Alden served in various capacities: Supply Officer, US Army Expeditionary Forces, 86th Division; Assistant to the Commanding Officer, Boston Quartermaster Corps Depot; Assistant to the Chief Quartermaster, 6th Army, American Expeditionary Forces; Adj., 122nd Engineers, AEF; Assistant to the Engineering Officer in Charge of Construction, American Embarkation Center, AEF Constructing QM Group.

Colonel, Inactive, US Army Reserve, c. 1939.

Teaching

Faculty member, University of Washington, Seattle (UW), Seattle, WA, 1928- .

Professional Activities

Patron, Seattle Architecture Club, 1910.

Member, Seattle Architectural Club, Exhibition Committee, 1910.

Treasurer, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Washington Chapter, 1910-1911.

Member, Architectural League of the Pacific Coast, c. 1913. Alden attended the group's conference in Portland, OR, on 06/09/1913. At this conference, Alden was named chair of a committee advocating a more active role for architects as city planners. The opening of the Panama Canal in 1903 grestly stimulated trade on the West Coast and to solidify the economic advantages of the regions major ports. Economic growth fueled rapid city population growth, and delegates to this conference wanted to position West Coast architects as leaders in the new American city planning movement. The Oregon Daily Journalnoted on 06/10/1913: “A Pacific coast leadership in city planning was assumed yesterday by the Architectural league which is holding its annual convention here. Portland, Seattle and San Francisco have all secured plans for ‘growing systematically.’ Other cities have been interested, especially in view of the fact that upon the completion of the Panama Canal increase of business and population is expected to produce great [sic] growth which in some way must be taken care of. A suggestion by Charles R. Alden [sic], director of work of the Panama-Pacific exposition, was acted on. Mr. Alden was made chairman of a civic development committee, the members of which will be appointed from each of the coast cities. ‘The practical application of city planning has reached such a critical stage in several of the Pacific coast cities that I think it merits our earnest consideration and offers a peculiar opportunity for the league to be of service,’ wrote Mr. Alden. ‘The architect, by virtue of his profession, has the vision of the city sensible, practical and beautiful. The architects of the coast have already applied this gift to the public service in securing city plans embodying these ideas, and it now remains for them to effectively organize and carry on the work to make these plans an actuality.’ The committee will work to the ned that interest in city planning may be stimulated. Statistics will be gathered for general use.” (See "League to Lead in City Planning," Oregon Daily Journal, 06/10/1913, p. 11.)

As the conference was held in Portland, that city's architects predominated at the event, which focused issues of city planning and architectural education. Portland delegates registered were: W.G. Holford, F.S. Allyn, Russell E. Collins, Chester H. Freiche, Ellis F. Lawrence, Alfred H. Smith, Edgar M. Lazarus, Howard Everts Weed, E.F. Gilstrap, Ray S. Mason, A.E. Doyle, Folger Johnson, Frank Logan, John G. Wilson, Robert F. Tegan, Charles K. Greene, C.M. Rogers, Lloyd H. Dittrich, W.I. Turner, Morris H. Whitehouse, A.F. Curtiss, Charles C. Rich, Jamieson K. Parker, and H. Goodwin Beckwith. Others attending from outside of Portland included: Warren C. Perry of Berkeley; Carl F. Gould of Seattle; Fred Eustice of Vancouver, BC; F.B. Porter of Vancouver, BC; W. Marbury Somervell of Seattle; Clancey M. Lewis of Seattle; John Bakewell, Jr., of San Francisco; W.R.B. WIllcox of Seattle; C.H. Whitaker of Washington, DC; Harlan Thomas of Seattle; and Joseph S. Coté of Seattle. Alden was also at the meeting. (See "League to Lead in City Planning," Oregon Daily Journal, 06/10/1913, p. 11.)

President, AIA, Washington State Chapter, 1914-1915, 1920-1921. In 11/1920, Alden traveled to Salt Lake City, and Ogden, UT, to discuss with local architects the procedures of setting up a local chapter of the AIA. Alden was one of three Western chapter officials to speak to UT architects. Others included Sylvain Schnaittacher (1874-1926) of San Francisco and Burton E. Morse (1867-1941) of Twin Falls. ID. (See "Utah Architects to Join National Organization," Salt Lake Tribune, 11/24/1920, p. 24.)

Member, City of Seattle Zoning Committee, 1920-1924.

Member, City of Seattle Planning Commission, 1924.

Speaker, Spokane architects lunch, Davenport Hotel, 04/26/1930. The Spokane Chronicle reported on 04/25/1930: "Charles H. Alden, architect, member of the Seattle city plan commission, will be in Spokane Saturday to speak at the luncheon of Spokane architects and others interested, in the Davenport. Mr. Alden is one of the few men in the northwest who hold fellowships in the American Institute of Architects, and is considered an authority on city planning." (See "Coast Architect Will Speak Here," Spokane Chronicle, 04/25/1930, second section, p. 1 [p.23].).)

Member, Building Code Revision Committee.

State Chairman, Public Works of Art Project, 1933-1934.

Member, City and Local Planning Committee, Washington State Planning Council, 1934.

President, Seattle Fine Arts Society, 1923-1926.

President, Architects Small House Service Bureau of the US, North Pacific Division.

Alden completed a 15-week course, Camouflage School, Camouflage Division, Office of Civilian Defense, University of Washington, 10-12/1942.

Professional Awards

Fellow, American Institute of Architects, before 1939.

College

Coursework, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1884-1887.

S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, 1890.

Relocation

Charles H. Alden, Jr., relocated frequently during his life, both for his architectural profession and due to military service. He followed in the footsteps of his father in volunteering for the US Army (USA). Charles H. Alden, Sr., was a surgeon for the US Army, and attained the ranks of Lieutenant, Assistant Surgeon, USA; Captain; Major, Surgeon, USA; Lieutenant Colonel; and Brigadier General, USA, Retired. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; NAI Title: U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934; NAI Number: T288; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007; Record Group Number: 15; Series Title: U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934; Series Number: T288; Roll: 4, accessed 07/07/2022.) His father and mother were buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012, accessed 07/07/2022.)

His family had deep roots in the US, with forebearers arriving before the Revolutionary War. (See Elizabeth Bryant Johnston, "Miss Alice Wight Alden," Lineage Book National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution(DAR), Volume III, 1893, [Washington, DC: DAR, 1897]. p. 158.)

He was born in Hingham, MA, on 09/27/1867, just after the Civil War. In 1870, Charles, Jr.'s lived with his maternal grandmother Mary T. Lincoln (born c. 1809 in MA), aunt Mary E. Lincoln (born c. 1837 in MA), aunt Emma C. Lincoln (born 1843 in PA) and uncle George R. Lincoln (born c. 1848 in PA). His parents also lived here, as did his sister Alice Alden and a domestic servant, Catherine Stewart (born c. 1849 in Nova Scotia, Canada). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1870; Census Place: Hingham, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_638; Page: 337B, accessed 07/07/2022.)

It is likely that Charles H. Alden, Sr., was posted to the US Army's Camp Ramsey, near Saint Paul, MN, in 1872. This was where a will for a Charles Alden, Sr., of Hingham, MA, was prepared on 10/19/1872, but it is unknown whether Dr. Alden took his family with him to this posting. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Probate Index, 1849-1980; Probate Record Files, Ca. 1849-1925; Author: Minnesota. Probate Court (Ramsey County); Probate Place: Ramsey, Minnesota, accessed 07/07/2022.)

In 1874, his father was stationed at the third Fort Walla Walla, a US Army facility opened in 1858-1859. This was where his younger brother Eliot was born on 12/12/1874.

According to the 1880 Census, Charles H. Alden, Jr., was living in Hingham, MA, and was 12 years old. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Hingham, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: 551; Page: 392C; Enumeration District: 565, accessed 07/07/2022.)

He was a student in Boston as of 05/17/1890, when he applied for a US Passport, likely to enable a grand tour in Europe to complete his education in architecture. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 350; Volume #: Roll 350 - 17 May 1890-23 May 1890, accessed 07/07/2022.)

Alden moved to Seattle to work on the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) before 1909, and decided to settle here. Aside from work on the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco between 1913 and 1915 and military service in World War I, he remained here for the rest of his life.

He passed away in Seattle, WA, at the age of 84 on 09/27/1981. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington, accessed 07/07/2022.)

Parents

According to the 1880 Census, his parents were Charles Henry Alden, Sr.,(born 04/28/1836 in Philadelphia, PA-d. 06/07/1906 in Pasadena, CA), a surgeon with the U.S. Army born c. 1837 in PA and Catharine Russell Lincoln (born 07/23/1838 in Philadelphia, PA-d. 06/12/1934 in Pasadena, CA), who managed the household. Charles, Sr.'s parents were born in CT and RI. Catherine's parents, David and Harriet Lincoln, were both born in MA. (Sources have spelled Catharine's first name as both "Catharine" and "Katharine," "Katherine." It appears that she may have changed the spelling of her name later in life. She may have been known to contemporaries as "Kate," later in life. Early spellings in the 1855 MA State Census and Charles H. Alden, Sr's. 1872 Last Will spelled it "Catharine.")

In 1919, Katherine lived at 624 Norton Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. Eliot Alden lived next door at 620 Norton Avenue.

He was one of three children--Alice Wight Alden (born 11/27/1865 in PA-d. 02/15/1945 in Los Angeles County, CA) and Eliot Alden (born 12121974 in Walla Walla, WA-d. 04/17/1946 in Los Angeles County, CA) and two Irish servants in the household, Catherine Graham and Anna Murray. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Hingham, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: 551; Page: 392C; Enumeration District: 565, accessed 07/07/2022.)

Eliot Alden became an eminent surgeon like his father, and studied at Harvard Medical Schoolm graduating in 1901. He interned at MA General Hospital, 1901-1902, and completed a residency at the Lakeside Hospital in Cleveland, OH, in 1902-1903. Dr. Alden did post-graduate study in Vienna, Austria, and Berlin, Germany in 1903, and returned to practice in Cleveland for two years, between 1904 and 1906. Eliot relocated to Los Angeles, CA, in 1906, the year of his father's death, to care for his mother. Aside from military service, he remained in Southern CA for the remainder of hsi life. (See "Alden, Eliot," Who's Who on the Pacific Coast: A Biographical Compilation of Notable Living Contemporaries West of the Rocky Mountains, Franklin Harper, ed., [Los Angeles: Harper Publishing Company, 1913], p. 12.)

Spouse

Alden never married.

Biographical Notes

At age 22, Alden was reported to be Caucasian with fair-dark complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. His passport application of 05/17/1890 listed his nose as straight, mouth as medium, chin as bearded and an oval face. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 350; Volume #: Roll 350 - 17 May 1890-23 May 1890, accessed 07/07/2022.)

Member, Municipal League of Seattle,, c. 1913.

Member, Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Seattle, WA, c. 1913.

Member, University Club, Seattle, WA, c. 1913.

Member, Cosmos Club, Seattle, WA.

Member, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Seattle, WA.

Member, Pacific Northwest Academy of Arts, Seattle, WA.

Honorary Member, 1st Corps of Cadets, MA Volunteer Militia.

in 1939, Alden classified himself as an "independent" politically;

He was an Episcopalian.

• Hingham, MA (Architect's Birth)
  Hingham, MA

  ---

  OpenStreetMap (new tab)

  Google Map (new tab)

  

  ---