Résumé

Draftsman, Robert B. Young, Architect, Los Angeles, CA, c. 1888-1890.

Principal, August Wackerbarth, Architect, Los Angeles, CA, c. 1895-1925. In 1903, Wackerbarth had his office at 160 1/2 North Los Angeles Street in Los Angeles. (See Los Angeles Classified Business Directory, 1903, p. 1706.) According to the often wrong Henry and Elsie Withey, Wackerbarth retired in 1916.

The U.S. Census of 1920 indicated that Wackerbarth was still working as an architect, but the 1930 Census stated that he had retired by that time.

Professional Activities

Wackerbarth helped to found the Southern California Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA); he was Treasurer of the AIA Southern California Chapter in 1895, and designed a number of residences for the city's prominent citizens; architect Henry Withey indicated that Wackerbarth was born in 1860, which is one year off.

College

Wackerbarth attended technical schools in Germany; he came to the U.S. around 1878, staying for a several years in Independence, IA, and then Chicago IL, before coming to Los Angeles, CA, in 11/1882.

Relocation

Born in Germany, August Wackerbarth sailed to the United States aboard the S.S. Scythia from Liverpool, UK, in 1878; he lived in Chicago, IL, San Francisco, CA, and, finally, Los Angeles, CA.

Naturalization proceedings for him occurred in Superior Court of San Francisco County on 09/18/1884.

In 1888-1890, he lived with his family at 11 North Court in Los Angeles. From at least 1900-1930, he lived at 956 Court Circle, Los Angeles, CA; in 1930, Wackerbarth owned the dwelling which had an estimated worth of $10,000.

Parents

His father was Heinrich Wackerbarth who died before 1924.

Spouse

Wackerbarth married Lottie Adams Wackerbarth, an English-born woman, c. 1887; she may have come to the U.S. from England around 1872. The perhaps unreliable U.S. Census of 1900 put her birth date as "Feb. 1867." She may have been about 8 years younger than her husband and worked in the home raising the children. The U.S. Census of 1920 noted that she came to the U.S. from England in 1884 and was naturalized in 1887. Lottie died sometime between 1920-1924.

Children

In 1910, three children lived with August and Lottie Wackerbarth: Augusta (born c. 08/1888 in CA), Heinz (born c. 1891 in CA), and George A. Wackerbarth, (born 02/18/1897 in CA, died 12/14/1968 in Los Angeles, CA). Heinz may have gone by the name "Henry." (A Henry Owen Wackerbarth, was born 04/26/1891 in CA and died 08/16/1979 in Hemet, Riverside County, CA.)

Biographical Notes

Wackerbarth was active in the Los Angeles Pioneer Society, holding the office of Secretary for some years;

In 04/1924, Wackerbarth applied for a passport to travel to the British Isles, France, Italy, Turkey, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switaerland, Greece, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Gibraltar, departing 06/1924. He had not traveled outside of North America since 1878. He arrived to begin his trip aboard the S.S. Majestic, that left New York, NY, on around 07/18/1924, making port at Southampton, UK, on 07/24/1924. While in London, the architect could be reached via the Free Mason Hall. He returned from Cherbourg, France, aboard the S.S. Olympic to the Port of New York, departing 11/05/1924 and arriving 11/11/1924. The U.S. Census of 1900 indicated Wackerbarth's birth date to have been "May 1853," which does not agree with his Passport Application document of 04/1924.